Mapping Research on European VET Policy With a Systematic Literature Review Method: A Pilot Study

Purpose: A systematic literature review has neglected for years in both national and international vocational educational and training (VET) policy research. Recently, scholarly interest in and the need for such a review has increased rapidly. This review introduces the application of the systematic literature review method, with a focus on research work completed in European VET policy. Approach: To investigate the value and applicability of the systematic literature review method in European VET policy research, we conducted a pilot study following the guidelines and procedures presented by Gessler and Siemer. Findings: First, the process of conducting a literature review and its major methodological steps are described, followed by a descriptive analysis of the sample and characteristics of the studies reviewed. Second, initial insights into the research methodology and the topics that emerged during its application are presented. Altogether, we documented a first attempt to systematize research on European VET policy, including lessons learned from conducting a systematic literature review. Conclusion: The review revealed that although research on international European VET policy research has increased in recent years, hardly any systematization of the current research has been proposed. Instead, most research has been limited to identifying specific country-related factors. By comparison, we propose a systematic approach to reviewing research on European VET policy, being well aware of the strengths and limitations of the proposed method and the results. Thus, this systematic review presents a substantial starting point and research agenda for further studies on this topic.

Unmasking the truth: experimental evidence of facemask compliance in Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic

High levels of compliance with public health measures are critical to ensuring a successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, most data on compliance are self-reported. Tendency to overreport due to social desirability can yield biased estimates of compliance. We estimate rates of compliance with facemask mandates in Kenya, Nigeria, and Bangladesh using data from phone surveys conducted in March-April 2021. Data on compliance are collected from different survey modules: self-reported compliance (stated) and a list experiment (elicited). We find substantial gaps between stated and elicited rates of facemask wearing for different groups depending on specific country contexts and high levels of overreporting of facemask compliance in self-reported surveys. We observe differences in rates of self-reported facemask wearing among key groups but not using the elicited responses from the list experiment, which suggest that social desirability bias may vary by demographics. Data collected from self-reported surveys may not be reliable to monitor ongoing compliance with public health measures. Moreover, elicited compliance rates indicate levels of mask wearing are likely much lower than those estimated using self-reported data.

Organization development and cultural values of trust in international contexts

Purpose The purpose of this study is to address the call for empirical research on trust and culture highlighted in the existing literature. This study empirically investigates the underlying cultural values of trust across multiple countries – the term used to describe specific cultural environments that have the potential to influence the way in which people demonstrate trust toward others – and then documents their subsequent influences on the success of organization development (OD) efforts in international contexts. Design/methodology/approach Using data from multiple sources, this study conducts a series of empirical tests to investigate the underlying cultural values of trust in a large sample of 42 countries over the past 20 years (2000–2020). Then, the study further extends the findings to propose an empirically developed framework, namely, a country classification, which can be used to assess whether cultural environments in a specific country appear to support or impede trust behavior and the likelihood of success in implementing OD initiatives and interventions in international contexts. Findings Trust is robustly related to cultural values. Specifically, people from countries with high power distance and uncertainty avoidance cultures tend to exhibit less trust in others, whereas those from countries with high individualistic and long-term oriented cultures are more likely to trust others. The country classification further demonstrates that Estonia, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands are the group of countries whose cultural values appear strongly consistent with the underlying cultural values of trust, implying a greater likelihood of success for OD efforts and interventions. On the other hand, Colombia, Egypt, Iraq, Libya and Mexico are the group of countries whose cultural values appear to differ significantly from the underlying cultural values of trust, suggesting potential obstacles for successful OD efforts and thus appropriate modifications of OD interventions are essentially needed. The results for other countries are also discussed. Practical implications The findings offer several practical implications for the community of OD consulting, especially those who work internationally in cross-national consulting projects or deal with culturally diverse organizations. These include a more sophisticated understanding of the cultural environments that support or impede the willingness to trust in a specific foreign country, an evidence-informed strategy to design or adopt appropriate OD interventions that align with the cultural environments of a foreign country and a framework to assess and improve the likelihood of successful OD interventions in international contexts. Originality/value To the author’s best knowledge, this is the first study to conduct an empirical examination of the influence of culture on trust in a comprehensive manner, subsequently providing a transitional bridge between two major strands of trust research in the current OD literature: trust serves as a necessary foundation for successful OD efforts and the willingness to trust can potentially be explained through cultural spheres. Second, this study explores trust behavior in international contexts and develops a country classification concerning the influence of culture on trust, both of which have never been accomplished in prior research.

Role of Ayurveda in Pandemic Situation (COVID-19) and Involvement of Pranwah Srotas with Its Treatment: Review Article

Pandemic disease affects the whole world.COVID-19 is a Pandemic disease which deteriorates an individual's life, not only in a specific country but the whole world is suffering. Individuals health, life, economy affected by this Corona virus. It is proven that corona virus can infect people of all ages, but there are people with high risk of contamination who are elderly, individuals with a compromised immunity system and people with health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, asthma, lung disease etc. It is highly contagious that's why it is more dangerous than other viruses of its family. we can prevent from this viral disease by taking such precautions no antibiotics is beneficial in corona virus infection so we can prevent ourselves from this virus by taking preventive measures. Sushrut has mentioned aupsargik rog (communicable disease) in Ayurveda. Ayurveda is an ancient science, which believe in preventive measures for healthy persons and treat a patient by medicines which is described in ayurvedic textbook and Aachar rasayan.

AL QAEDA’S RADICAL IDEOLOGY

The purpose of the essay is to illustrate the Ideological aspect of al Qaeda that constitutes the pillar of the organisation based on distinct interpretation of Quran and biased understanding of the meaning of Jihad. The functional method of al Qaeda is not simplistic or unsystematic, aimed at particular target or focused or specific country or region. The creation of such transnational organisation couldn’t have been revealed without political Ideology with its manifesto and the mechanism to spread its messages all over the world. It will not be correct to put al Qaeda among the category of the classical terror groups as I have shown in the essay as a comparison. Moreover, it is not similar to any categories of political Islam movements; since the distinction between Jihad and waging war has always been differentiated in the context of Political Islam. Whereas al Qaeda declares enemies in the house of Islam as well to countries, people and Institutions differ with their own created ideology. This distorted ideology has spread all over the world and become an enemy to Islam itself, which harmed the reputation of Islam as a religion. Attention on the ideologic context of al Qaeda hasn’t been researched well, unknown to majority of the experts. Instead, the attention at most has been put on its ground actions, security concerns and counter terrorism.

AL QAEDA’S RADICAL IDEOLOGY

The purpose of the essay is to illustrate the Ideological aspect of al Qaeda that constitutes the pillar of the organisation based on distinct interpretation of Quran and biased understanding of the meaning of Jihad. The functional method of al Qaeda is not simplistic or unsystematic, aimed at particular target or focused or specific country or region. The creation of such transnational organisation couldn’t have been revealed without political Ideology with its manifesto and the mechanism to spread its messages all over the world. It will not be correct to put al Qaeda among the category of the classical terror groups as I have shown in the essay as a comparison. Moreover, it is not similar to any categories of political Islam movements; since the distinction between Jihad and waging war has always been differentiated in the context of Political Islam. Whereas al Qaeda declares enemies in the house of Islam as well to countries, people and Institutions differ with their own created ideology. This distorted ideology has spread all over the world and become an enemy to Islam itself, which harmed the reputation of Islam as a religion. Attention on the ideologic context of al Qaeda hasn’t been researched well, unknown to majority of the experts. Instead, the attention at most has been put on its ground actions, security concerns and counter terrorism.

The new risks of the agricultural treadmill and the inequality in the farmland size distribution in Bulgaria

The purpose of this article is to examine the degree of realization of risk related to inequality in the distribution of the farmland size in Bulgaria. The study is based on Eurostat data for Bulgaria and other EU countries. The results show that specific indicators provide somewhat specific country characterizations.

The power of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) in making decisions that matter

Deciding on approving and granting market access to new medical technologies such as pharmaceutical products, vaccines, or medical devices is a multifactorial research problem. Balancing out clinical performance, epidemiological implications, burden of disease, economic value, and patient preferences, among other factors, is in itself a challenging endeavor. However, this should be a mandatory requirement when making approval and market access decisions that might affect millions of people in a specific country setting. The aim of this reflection research article is twofold; first, it provides context on the important role that health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) plays in informing decision making for market access and reimbursement of new medical technologies. Second, it outlines the power of HEOR studies in guiding discussions when assessing the value of new medical technologies. Overall, this article aims at highlighting key HEOR considerations for healthcare professionals, students, and institutions interested in building analytical capabilities around this exciting and uninterruptedly growing field of knowledge.

Understanding Drivers of Renewable Energy Firm’s Performance

The purpose of this study is to identify the drivers of profitability for renewable energy companies in the European Union (EU) during the period of 2004–2018. Specifically, the study investigates the effect of firm-specific, country-specific, and macroeconomic factors on the profitability of the listed renewable energy companies that have their headquarters in the EU. The profitability is measured as return on assets (ROA) and Tobin’s q. Factors that affect profitability are divided into three groups such as firm-specific, country-specific, and macroeconomic factors, and to provide consistent and unbiased results, distinct methods are used. The ordinary least square (OLS) and random effect Generalized Least Squares (GLS) model are employed first. Also, the two-step system generalized method of moments estimation is used to validate the hypotheses. The empirical findings show that firm-specific factors are more dominant in explaining profitability rather than macroeconomic factors. The dynamic models show that profit persists over the years. Also, it is revealed that firm size has a positive effect on profitability in all models. The hypothesis that firms’ growth enhances profitability is evident in the short run, but in the long run, it is insignificant. The leverage has a positive effect on Tobin’s q. In addition, the study finds that tradable green certificate schemes enhance long-term profitability (Tobin’s q). The financial crises discourage the financial performance of renewable energy firms. The study has implications for managers and policymakers that should give importance to firm-specific factors and country-specific factors to promote the profitability of renewable energy companies in order to be sustainable by reducing energy import dependency and ensure energy for the future generation. Special attention should be given to support schemes toward renewable energy to be more effective and enhance firm profitability. The contribution of this paper is that it is the first study that examines the drivers of profitability for renewable energy companies by accounting for firm-specific, country-specific and macroeconomic factors. The study includes a long-time period by using advanced panel data techniques. To add robustness, alternative measures of profitability are used.

Understanding the Interrelationship Between Career and Professional Development and Job Satisfaction

Career and professional development is a long process of personal growth along an individual’s life span. Despite their efforts to develop skills and knowledge, there are extrinsic factors that are expected by the employees to help advance their careers. There are also some factors make individuals opt to stay at their current positions and feel satisfied with the jobs. To maintain a healthy workplace environment, a Global Staff Survey (GSS) was conducted by a non-profit organization in 2020. Out of 12 topics surveyed, this article aims to analyze the result of the survey, particularly, Indonesia-specific country-context, focusing on understanding the interrelationship between career and professional development and job satisfaction or motivation. Primary data is taken from the survey participated by 192 respondents from six provinces in Indonesia. The respondents consist of different levels of positions of both national and international staff with various lengths of employment. Career and Professional Development and Job Satisfaction/Motivation are two variables extracted from the result of the survey which is analyzed through desk review methodology.