scholarly journals Democracy in flux: a systemic view on the impact of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy J. Parry ◽  
Hans Asenbaum ◽  
Selen A. Ercan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Meaningful Participation ◽  
Public Health Challenge ◽  
Democratic Spaces ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Systemic View

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a systemic view of democracy can provide insights into the myriad ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic affects democracies worldwide. This enables the authors to offer practical suggestions for strengthening democracy through meaningful participation in the spaces where deficits are most apparent. Design/methodology/approach The authors use the systems approach that has emerged from the deliberative and participatory democracy literature in recent years to map out the impacts of COVID-19. In this paper, the authors set out this approach as an agenda for future, more comprehensive research. Findings The authors’ preliminary overview suggests that democratic spaces are reconfigured during COVID-19, with participatory spaces shrinking, overlapping and invading each other. Based on the systemic overview, the authors suggest participatory interventions to address particular points of weakness such as accountability. Originality/value Taking a systemic approach to analysing COVID-19’s impacts on democracy enables the authors to understand the pressure points where democratic values and participation are under strain and where citizens’ participation is essential not only for strengthening democracy but also addressing the public health challenge of COVID-19.

Fake news on Facebook: examining the impact of heuristic cues on perceived credibility and sharing intention

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khudejah Ali ◽  
Cong Li ◽  
Khawaja Zain-ul-abdin ◽  
Muhammad Adeel Zaffar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Credibility ◽  
News Credibility ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Active Processing

PurposeAs the epidemic of online fake news is causing major concerns in contexts such as politics and public health, the current study aimed to elucidate the effect of certain “heuristic cues,” or key contextual features, which may increase belief in the credibility and the subsequent sharing of online fake news.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a 2 (news veracity: real vs fake) × 2 (social endorsements: low Facebook “likes” vs high Facebook “likes”) between-subjects experimental design (N = 239).FindingsThe analysis revealed that a high number of Facebook “likes” accompanying fake news increased the perceived credibility of the material compared to a low number of “likes.” In addition, the mediation results indicated that increased perceptions of news credibility may create a situation in which readers feel that it is necessary to cognitively elaborate on the information present in the news, and this active processing finally leads to sharing.Practical implicationsThe results from this study help explicate what drives increased belief and sharing of fake news and can aid in refining interventions aimed at combating fake news for both communities and organizations.Originality/valueThe current study expands upon existing literature, linking the use of social endorsements to perceived credibility of fake news and information, and sheds light on the causal mechanisms through which people make the decision to share news articles on social media.

Public health challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal: a commentary

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharmistha Sharma ◽  
Jeevan Bhatta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Challenges ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
The Government

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to depict the current scenario of coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) in Nepal, how the government is tackling this pandemic as well as look at the public health challenges that Nepal is facing and might face in the future.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is a viewpoint of COVID-19 activities conducted in Nepal.FindingsNepal is vulnerable to COVID-19, as it shares borders with China and India. Cases have started to be seen in different parts of Nepal. Government of Nepal has started various measures to control the spread of the virus such as deploying health workers, information sharing via different mediums. However, there are still many challenges that the government and public health officials need to be concerned about as well.Originality/valueThis paper provides information about the situation of COVID-19 in Nepal, how the government is handling, and public health challenges that may arise. This paper can be beneficial for further public health interventions.

UK initiatives to reduce antimicrobial resistant infections, 2013-2018

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Government Policy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the local, national and global actions from the UK to reduce the impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on human health. Design/methodology/approach – Synthesis of UK government policy, surveillance and research on AMR. Findings – Activities that are taking place by the UK government, public health and professional organisations are highlighted. Originality/value – This paper describes the development and areas for action of the UK AMR strategy. It highlights the many interventions that are being delivered to reduce antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistant infections.

scholarly journals An analysis of maṣlaḥah based resolutions issued by Bank Negara Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suheyib Eldersevi ◽  
Razali Haron
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Advisory Council ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Broad Concept ◽  
Islamic Jurisprudence ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to examine the resolutions issued by the Sharīʿah Advisory Council of Bank Negara Malaysia (SAC-BNM), which have recognized maṣlaḥah (public interest) as the basis of ruling to see the extent of its usefulness to the public and the extent of its adherence to the maṣlaḥah parameters. The study will also look into the opposing opinion to identify the basis of rejection and overall implication on Islamic finance based on opposing opinions of SAC-BNM and other bodies of collective ijtihād (juristic interpretation). Design/methodology/approach The study uses a qualitative approach by analyzing the SAC-BNM resolutions, which have been resolved based on maṣlaḥah. The study also applies the comparative approach by comparing the fatwa (Sharīʿah pronouncement) issuing bodies of Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Furthermore, the secondary data is obtained from sources such as uṣūl al-fiqh (theory of Islamic jurisprudence) books, papers and relevant internet sources. Findings The study found that SAC-BNM’s resolutions are in line with some of the major maṣlaḥah parameters mentioned in the uṣūl al-fiqh sources i.e. must not contradict with the Qurʾān and the Sunnah. While looking at the other two criteria of being in line with ijmāʿ (consensus) and having a general impact, such resolutions might not fulfill the criteria of valid maṣlaḥah considering, respectively, the stand of collective ijtihād or the impact on the group of customers and institutions. Originality/value Most available shari’ah (Islamic law) research considers the perspective of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) while analyzing the issue of maṣlaḥah. This study aims to conduct analysis based on uṣūl al-fiqh. Moreover, maṣlaḥah itself is a broad concept, which can be abused. Hence, this study discusses the parameters of maṣlaḥah to understand the validity of an important juristic tool in Sharīʿah.

Using adaptive leadership principles to support Public Health 3.0 in multidisciplinary undergraduate education

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne R. Hawley
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Leadership Competencies ◽  
Adaptive Leadership ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Nursing ◽  
Leadership Instruction

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered public health vulnerabilities worldwide, particularly in the hard-hit USA. US public health professionals, regardless of role, may need to exercise leadership in both planned and unexpected situations. This model of practice outside of traditional roles, known as Public Health 3.0, requires adaptive leadership – a systems approach to making progress on complex challenges. Educational programs should improve students’ adaptive leadership competency to prepare them for the public health workforce. This paper aims to provide an educational framework for implementing adaptive leadership instruction for undergraduate students. Design/methodology/approach This paper used experiential and traditional instructional strategies and adaptive leadership competencies to develop a semester-length leadership course for undergraduate students in health, nursing, social science, business and education. Adaptive leadership principles were learned and practiced, preparing students for systemic challenges through the lens of Public Health 3.0. Competencies were assessed pre- and post-semester. Findings Of 248 students, 72% were health professions majors. Students reported pre-post scores on 29 measures of competency, interest, learning and behavioral change. Quantitative evaluations identified statistically significant improvement in all domains. Additional quantitative feedback indicated improvement on the three Kirkpatrick levels of evaluation assessed (reaction, learning and behavior). Originality/value Tiered evaluation methods indicated that this leadership course enhanced participants’ self-reported adaptive leadership learning and competency, as well as intention and ability to translate learning into practice. A broad spectrum of competency development is needed for students entering practice in the Public Health 3.0 era, particularly related to pandemic response.

The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on tourists’ personal prestige – an experimental study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Friedericke Kuhn ◽  
Florian Kock ◽  
Martin Lohmann
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Conspicuous Consumption ◽  
Social Perceptions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leisure Travel ◽  
News Reporting ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has drastically affected the public discourse on tourism in news reporting and on social media, potentially changing social perceptions of travel and its utility for conspicuous consumption. Prestige enhancement is a common tourist motivation, yet, as tourists have been portrayed as irresponsible and even dangerous during the pandemic, the benefits of travel for personal prestige may have been affected. The purpose of this study is to monitor changes in tourists’ personal prestige during the early pandemic in 2020. Design/methodology/approach The authors developed an innovative study design implicitly measuring the personal prestige of tourists shown on experimentally manipulated social media posts. Three measurement waves were issued to compare the personal prestige of tourists just before, during and after the first lockdown situation in Germany. Findings Differences regarding evaluations of tourists’ prestige were found for prestige dimensions of hedonism, achievements, wealth and power, suggesting that prestige ascription to tourists has been affected by the changing discourse on leisure travel. Originality/value This study contributes to the discussion of the socio-psychological effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on customer benefits of leisure travel. It exposes possible impacts of the pandemic on tourisms’ value for conspicuous consumption and prestige enhancement.

Regulatory burden and business dynamics: a preliminary analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.R. Clark ◽  
Todd Nesbit
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Regulatory Capture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Business Dynamics ◽  
Specific Regulation ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Stigler (1971) first presented a theory of regulation in which the regulator eventually serves the interests of the regulated rather than in the interest of the public good. In such an institutional environment, one should expect to observe outcomes associated with reduced competitive pressures on existing firms. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors use RegData, which quantifies regulatory restrictions by industry, to determine whether and to what degree regulation reduces establishment entry and the associated job creation and how regulation impacts existing establishment exit and job creation and destruction. Findings The results, while not definitive, are supportive of Stigler’s theory of regulatory capture. Originality/value This paper adds to the small but growing empirical literature examining the effects of cronyism more broadly. Prior studies of regulation have generally been either narrowly focused on a specific regulation or employ less precise measures of the extent of regulation. By employing RegData as a measure of regulatory restrictions by industry, this paper offers new insights on the impact of regulation on business dynamics.

On the drivers of BNDES credit to Brazilian state governments

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-302
Author(s):  
Paulo Rogério Faustino Matos ◽  
Jaime de Jesus Filho
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Brazilian State ◽  
National Economic ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to address the discussion on the credit disbursement of US$28.6bn from Brazilian National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) to Brazilian state governments during the period from 2009 to 2014. They try to identify the main drivers of the credit allocation in both cross state and time. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a dynamic balanced panel to estimate the role of technical and socioeconomic variables. Findings The results suggest that the states’ need for financing via BNDES exhibits neither inertial nor explosive behavior. The authors find an efficiency elasticity of this resource of 0.20. In addition, the impact of a positive change in the state fiscal status leads to an increase of 2.5 per cent in the indebtedness capacity. Finally, they find that wealthier states are more successful in demanding credit from BNDES. Practical implications This analysis of resource allocation is useful for modeling the determinants of international financial institutions as central planners. The authors also invite researchers to discuss the decision-making processes that characterize the federative pact in Brazil. Originality/value Although a burgeoning body of literature has examined the role of BNDES as a creditor institution for firms, its relationship with the public sector, in special subnational governments, has been rarely studied.

Body dissatisfaction: an overlooked public health concern

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela M. Bucchianeri ◽  
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Body Dissatisfaction ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
The Public

Purpose – In contrast to the attention it has received in related fields of research, body image has remained understudied within the field of public health. This is highly problematic, given a growing body of evidence implicating body dissatisfaction in a range of other public health concerns. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This commentary is based on a review of the public health, body image, eating disorder, and mental health literatures. Findings – Body dissatisfaction is implicated in a range of public health concerns, including impaired psychological health (e.g. depression) and eating- and weight-related problems (e.g. eating disorders, obesity). Originality/value – Given these associations, as well as the high levels of body dissatisfaction in the population, the authors argue for a critical need to address the prevalence of body image concerns as a public health issue worthy of greater consideration within programs and policies; dedicated funding for research on antecedents, consequences, and intervention strategies; and allocated resources for training.

Housing and health – a public health perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-22
Author(s):  
Adrian Phillips ◽  
Andy Baker
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Home Environment ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Major City ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a viewpoint on homelessness and health gained from a practical public health perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Views derived from local review as well as other national epidemiology and research. Findings – That housing has real impacts upon health especially for those who are homeless. Research limitations/implications – This is a viewpoint from a major city in England. Practical implications – Homelessness leads to extreme vulnerability. There are other aspects of the home environment that impact elsewhere in the public sector, especially the health service. Vulnerable individuals are more likely to become homeless which can lead to exacerbation of vulnerability. Originality/value – This is a viewpoint derived solely from local practice.

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