scholarly journals Lockdowns, lethality, and laissez-faire politics. Public discourses on political authorities in high-trust countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253175
Author(s):  
Sara Grøn Perlstein ◽  
Marc Verboord
Keyword(s):  
Government Support ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Northern European ◽  
Modeling Analysis ◽  
Laissez Faire ◽  
The Government ◽  
Crisis Responses ◽  
Proactive Communication

This study looks at population response to government containment strategies during initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in four high-trust Northern European countries–Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden–with special emphasis on expressions of governmental trust. Sentiment analysis and topic modeling analysis were performed using Twitter data from three phases during the initial European lockdown, and results were compared over time and between countries. Findings show that, in line with existing theory, assertive crisis responses and proactive communication were generally well-received, whereas tentative crisis responses or indications by the authorities that the crisis was manageable were generally met with suspicion. In addition, while government support was high in all countries during the height of the crisis, messages critical of the government as well as conspiracy theories were nevertheless widely circulated. Importantly, countries with the least assertive strategies, rather than clear negative responses, saw heightened polarization of sentiment in the population. Furthermore, in the case of Sweden, a laissez-faire strategy was generally accepted by the population, despite strong criticism from other countries, until mortality rates started to rise. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed with an emphasis of prior trust as a potential explanatory factor. Future research should seek to replicate these findings in other countries with different levels of prior governmental trust or with a different severity of the COVID-19 outbreak than the countries in this study as well as triangulate the findings of this study using alternative methods.

Exploring key variables of port competitiveness: evidence from Indonesian ports

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 529-553
Author(s):  
Sari Wahyuni ◽  
Alif Azadi Taufik ◽  
Felix Kin Peng Hui
Keyword(s):  
Government Support ◽  
Foreign Assistance ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Bureaucracy ◽  
Port Competitiveness ◽  
The Government ◽  
Port Planning

Purpose This study aims to understand the factors and problems that relate to Indonesian port competitiveness and the problems that need to be addressed by major actors such as the government and port corporations. Design/methodology/approach It combines quantitative analysis from 59 survey respondents and qualitative analysis from focus-group discussions and in-depth interviews with port experts, financial bodies, port corporations and government officials on the condition of Indonesian port planning, development and financing. Findings An Indonesian port competitiveness model was developed, comprising government support, business support and operational performance. The authors found a gap between policy expectation and realization of port facilitation, caused by inefficient government bureaucracy, customs clearance and strategic decision-making. The government's consistency and commitment need work to encourage investor interest. Road connectivity, intermodal transportation, and energy infrastructure should be enhanced to increase operational performance. These problems are caused by a lack of feasibility analysis, consideration of local economic developments, and late adoption of standard technology. The maritime-sector workforce should be trained to be more professional with foreign players, more innovative and more open towards foreign assistance. Practical implications Port competitiveness includes government-related variables. The government’s initiatives are welcomed but are not enough. Adequate attention to both micro and macro port is necessary to increase port competitiveness. Future research should develop more comprehensive solutions to increase port competitiveness in Indonesia using problems and factors outlined here. Originality/value The study investigated the unique factors and problems that relate to Indonesian port competitiveness. It uses a national scope and rich expert data involved in Indonesia's port industry.

scholarly journals Taxation on Ultra-processed Foods to Trim Obesity: Is it Plausible in Canada?

Spectrum ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Hankinson
Keyword(s):  
Effective Means ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Excess Body Weight ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
The Government

As the prevalence of excess body weight has become normalized in Canadian society, this paper arguesfor implementation of a sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and high saturated fat (SF) food taxation inCanada. These harmful foods and beverages are associated with excess calorie intake, lower nutrientintake, and a rise in body mass index. As the waistlines of Canadians continue to grow, it is of utmostimportance for obesity and overweight to be externally managed by the government with taxation onunhealthy substances, and a simultaneous subsidy on healthier alternatives. Potentially pairing SSB/SFtaxation with a fruits and vegetables subsidy could be one of the most effective means of achieving alteredconsumption patterns. The purpose is to curb availability of the former, increase consumption of the latter,and reduce weight gain and the harms that come along with it (e.g. metabolic disease and type II diabetes).The paper’s analysis focuses on children, adolescents (12-17 years old), and lower socioeconomic statuspopulations, as these populations are at a higher risk for overweight and obesity and would be mostpositively affected by the proposed taxation and subsidy. Briefly outlining the options governments have inreducing the levels of SSB/SF, questions are posed for future research regarding the area of ultra-processedfood taxations. Finally, notable objections to SSB/SF taxation are considered and alternative methods aresuggested such as income-based subsidy programs, which address inequitable distributions of proposedtaxation on vulnerable groups like children, adolescents, and lower socioeconomic status groups. Keywords: Canada, fat tax, obesity, subsidy, taxation, ultra-processed foods

Art lending in the Netherlands

1987 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucky Belder
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Contemporary Art ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
The Public ◽  
Works Of Art ◽  
The Government ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Direct Government

The loan of works of art to the public was initiated in the Netherlands in 1955 through a scheme set up by a group of artists to encourage people to purchase contemporary art. The success of this scheme attracted support from the government, which was itself acquiring works in the process of assisting artists. Works thus acquired were lent to public institutions and government bodies, but from the 1970s they were also made available for loan to the public via artotheques. These two schemes gave rise to over a hundred art lending centres including hybrid establishments owing something to both; however, direct government support of artists has recently been phased out, and as a result artotheques no longer obtain works via the government and must evolve alternative methods of acquisition.

scholarly journals Women In Paid Employment – The Care Factor

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzy Morrissey
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Limited Participation ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Broad Perspective ◽  
Paid Employment ◽  
Part Time ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Cost

63.7% of women are now in some form of paid employment in New Zealand, which is in line with the OECD average of 65%. However, of those women, approximately a third in part-time paid employment and women make up over two-thirds of all part-time workers.One of the most cited reasons for women’s limited participation in, or absence from, the labour market is the cost and availability of childcare. In New Zealand, as in many other countries, mothers still undertake the vast majority of care for children. This paper examines the childcare situation in New Zealand. Taking a broad perspective of what is captured by the term ‘childcare’, it outlines the various types of government support currently provided to children up to age 13, and summarises the total cost of funding.The purpose of the paper is to collate information about the range of services provided by the government which incorporate an element of care. This information can be analysed by academics and policy makers to determine whether the services currently provided are efficient and effective, and meets the needs of parents.The paper also raises two issues for further consideration, which it does not address itself. Firstly, the various mechanisms for government support, in terms of demand-led and supply-side funding, and whether they should be targeted or universal. Secondly, the types of childcare which are not government funded – the informal childcare provided by family, particularly grandparents and older siblings, and friends. These areas may be of relevant future research, particularly if change to the current situation is desired.

The Education of Research Psychologists in Sweden

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Larsson ◽  
Josef Frischer
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Doctoral Programs ◽  
Science Department ◽  
Research Education ◽  
The Core ◽  
Social Science Department ◽  
Learning Alliance ◽  
Laissez Faire ◽  
The Government

The education of researchers in Sweden is regulated by a nationwide reform implemented in 1969, which intended to limit doctoral programs to 4 years without diminishing quality. In an audit performed by the government in 1996, however, it was concluded that the reform had failed. Some 80% of the doctoral students admitted had dropped out, and only 1% finished their PhD degree within the stipulated 4 years. In an attempt to determine the causes of this situation, we singled out a social-science department at a major Swedish university and interviewed those doctoral students who had dropped out of the program. This department was found to be representative of the nationwide figures found in the audit. The students interviewed had all completed at least 50% of their PhD studies and had declared themselves as dropouts from this department. We conclude that the entire research education was characterized by a laissez-faire attitude where supervisors were nominated but abdicated. To correct this situation, we suggest that a learning alliance should be established between the supervisor and the student. At the core of the learning alliance is the notion of mutually forming a platform form which work can emerge in common collaboration. The learning alliance implies a contract for work, stating its goals, the tasks to reach these goals, and the interpersonal bonding needed to give force and endurance to the endeavor. Constant scrutiny of this contract and a mutual concern for the learning alliance alone can contribute to its strength.

The Systemic Effects of Prudential Regulation Toughening:The Results of a Stress-test for Russian Banks

2012 ◽  
pp. 4-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mamonov ◽  
A. Pestova ◽  
O. Solntsev
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Stress Test ◽  
Credit Market ◽  
Capital Adequacy ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Government Ownership ◽  
Prudential Regulation ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Stability

The stability of Russian banking sector is threatened by three negative tendencies - overheating of the credit market, significant decrease of banks capital adequacy ratios, and growing problems associated with banks lending to affiliated non-financial corporations. The co-existence of these processes reflects the crisis of the model of private investments in Russian banking sector, which was observed during the last 20 years. This paper analyzes the measures of the Bank of Russia undertaken to maintain the stability of the banking sector using the methodology of credit risk stress-testing. Based on this methodology we conclude that the Bank of Russias actions can prevent the overheating of the credit market, but they can also lead to undesirable effects: further expansion of the government ownership in Russian banking sector and substitution of domestic credit supply by cross-border corporate borrowings. The later weakens the competitive positions of Russian banks. We propose a set of measures to harmonize the prudential regulation of banks. Our suggestions rely on design and further implementation of the programs aimed at developing new markets for financial services provided by Russian banks to their corporate and retail customers. The estimated effects of proposed policy measures are both the increase in profitability and capitalization of Russian banks and the decrease of banks demand for government support.

The role of graining in ensuring food security

2020 ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
R. M. Gambarova
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
The Government ◽  
Favorable Conditions ◽  
Grain Farms

Relevance. Grain is the key to strategic products to ensure food security. From this point of view, the creation of large grain farms is a matter for the country's selfsufficiency and it leading to a decrease in financial expense for import. Creation of such farms creates an abundance of productivity from the area and leads to obtaining increased reproductive seeds. The main policy of the government is to minimize dependency from import, create abundance of food and create favorable conditions for export potential.The purpose of the study: the development of grain production in order to ensure food security of the country and strengthen government support for this industry.Methods: comparative analysis, systems approach.Results. As shown in the research, if we pay attention to the activities of private entrepreneurship in the country, we can see result of the implementation of agrarian reforms after which various types of farms have been created in republic.The role of privateentrepreneurshipinthedevelopmentofproduction is great. Тhe article outlines the sowing area, production, productivity, import, export of grain and the level of selfsufficiency in this country from 2015 till 2017.

Contemporary Employee Recruitment Practices and Areas of Future Research in Indian Railways

Think India ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 745-763
Author(s):  
Akhila Rao ◽  
Shailashri V. T ◽  
Molly Sanjay Chaudhuri ◽  
Kondru Sudheer Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Selection Process ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Manpower Planning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Employee Recruitment ◽  
Recruitment Practices ◽  
Modern Business ◽  
The Government ◽  
Recruitment And Selection

The modern business milieu is highly competitive due to vast technological advancement which makes employees a vital source of competitive advantage. Precisely, the recruitment process has become a key determinant of an organization’s success and a logistic capital resource to the human resource; thus, the process should be entirely modern. A conventional recruitment and selection process comprises of job analysis, manpower planning, and recruitment and selection. The current study seeks to explore employee recruitment practices and proposes areas of future research in Indian Railways using secondary data. It also gives recommendations on how to improve the recruitment practices in the government-owned Indian Railways. The trends investigated in the study include the applicant tracking software (ATS), use of video resumes, Chatbots, the utilization of social networks, and increased focus on passive candidates.

The Zoning System for Strategy Development of SMEs Go Online: A Literature Review

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumitro Sarkum
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
Online Marketing ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
The Government ◽  
Market Needs ◽  
Marketing Information ◽  
Relationship Of

This study aims to figure out what the relationship of empowerment of SMEs through methods of zoning as marketing strategy of SMEs in two different markets (offline and online). The zoning strategy with information and communication system integrated brings together socialization and promotion in a market. This system can help the government in taking and formulating policies to unite SMEs in a new market by not leaving the old market. The method in this study uses qualitative descriptive. There are three propositions produced in this initial research, the first; Offline and online marketing is very relevant for SMEs in Indonesia. Second; marketing information system is access for SMEs to find out the demand or market needs both domestically and internationally. And third; The zoning system can be used as an online development strategy for SMEs to synchronize two different markets, namely offline and online. Further research is needed to validate the propositions found, to generate hypotheses and empirical evidence, we recommend using mix methods for future research.

Serge Moscovici's "Réflexions sur la popularité des conspiracy mentalities"

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Klein
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
French Revolution ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Social Representation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
The Enlightenment ◽  
The People ◽  
Social Representation Theory ◽  
The Masses

This is a pdf of the original typed manuscript of a lecture made in 2006. An annotated English translation will be published by the International Review of Social Psychology. I this text, Moscovici seeks to update his earlier work on the “conspiracy mentality” (1987) by considering the relationships between social representations and conspiracy mentality. Innovation in this field, Moscovici argues, will require a much thorough description and understanding of what conspiracy theories are, what rhetoric they use and what functions they fulfill. Specifically, Moscovici considers conspiracies as a form of counterfactual history implying a more desirable world (in which the conspiracy did not take place) and suggests that social representation theory should tackle this phenomenon. He explicitly links conspiracy theories to works of fiction and suggests that common principles might explain their popularity. Historically, he argues, conspiracism was born twice: First, in the middle ages, when their primary function was to exclude and destroy what was considered as heresy; and second, after the French revolution, to delegitimize the Enlightenment, which was attributed to a small coterie of reactionaries rather than to the will of the people. Moscovici then considers four aspects (“thematas”) of conspiracy mentality: 1/ the prohibition of knowledge; 2/ the duality between the majority (the masses, prohibited to know) and “enlightened” minorities; 3/ the search for a common origin, a “ur phenomenon” that connects historical events and provides a continuity to History (he notes that such a tendency is also present in social psychological theorizing); and 4/ the valorization of tradition as a bulwark against modernity. Some of Moscovici’s insights in this talk have since been borne out by contemporary research on the psychology of conspiracy theories, but many others still remain fascinating potential avenues for future research.

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