Journal of Public Affairs最新文献

{"title":"Can Financial Inclusion Reduce Household Food Insecurity? Evidence From Rural Odisha","authors":"Rajashree Patra,&nbsp;Sunil Khosla","doi":"10.1002/pa.70075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.70075","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>While food insecurity remains a critical issue, Financial Inclusion (FI) has recently drawn the attention of development economists due to its potential in attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This facilitates livelihood diversification for households, empowers women, and consequently improves food security. Using 467 rural household survey data, this study evaluates the impact of financial inclusion on households' food insecurity in rural Odisha. The measurement of household FI is conducted using a multidimensional method, whereas propensity score matching (PSM) and endogenous switching regression (ESR) approaches are employed to evaluate the impact of FI on food insecurity. The findings disclose that 64% of the surveyed households are financially included, whereas 36% remain financially excluded. The PSM and ESR results reveal that households with the status of FI are less food insecure compared to those without FI. The study suggests that government policies should emphasize awareness of using financial services and assist the food-insecure households in achieving SDG-2.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47153,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Affairs","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144782492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Governance Spillover Effects From Macro- to Microlevels: Investigating How National Governance Indicators Impact Firm's Financial Distress","authors":"Kuldeep Singh,&nbsp;Akshita Arora","doi":"10.1002/pa.70074","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.70074","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We investigate the impact of national governance (NG) on firm-level financial distress (FD), by using agency theory. By analyzing the World Governance indicators’ NG components, namely, “voice and accountability, regulatory quality, political stability and absence of violence/terrorism, rule of law, government effectiveness, and control of corruption”; we find that NG fosters corporate FD. Using balanced panel data of Indian listed companies for a period of 8 years (2016 to 2023), we find that a positive relationship between most NG components and firms' Altman <i>Z</i> scores (reduced distress) is evident. However, for one component of NG, i.e., voice and accountability, the counterintuitive negative effect on Altman <i>Z</i> scores indicates increased regulatory and political volatility. We emphasize the vitality of NG for practitioners and policy-makers. The study is novel in its comprehensive and unique way of examining all the underlying factors of NG to curtail agency problems at firm-level FD. Thus, spillover effects of governance from macro to micro levels are evident.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47153,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Affairs","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144773437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Towards Sustainable Development: Drivers From Financial and Institutional Development","authors":"Hai Nguyen Van,&nbsp;Huy Nguyen Quoc,&nbsp;Dinh Le Quoc","doi":"10.1002/pa.70073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.70073","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The increasing challenges posed by climate change have highlighted the need for a global commitment to sustainable development (SD), as the world faces the consequences of a “brown economy.” Achieving SD requires a holistic approach that balances social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Financial development (FD) plays a crucial role in funding projects and activities related to SD. Previous research has primarily focused on economic and environmental aspects of SD, without exploring how institutional quality moderates the relationship between FD and SD. This study investigates the impact of FD on SD by considering the role of institutional quality (IQ) in 116 countries from 2004 to 2022. Using statistical techniques such as threshold and Bayesian regression, the study finds that FD has a positive effect on SD in countries with strong institutions (IQ &gt; 1.012), while it has a negative effect in countries with weak institutions (IQ &lt; 1.012). These results highlight the importance of institutional quality in optimizing the benefits of FD for SD. In countries with strong institutions, financial resources can be directed towards sustainable sectors like renewable energy, education, and healthcare, leading to comprehensive economic, social, and environmental development. In contrast, in countries with weak institutions, FD may contribute to corruption in SD-related projects or environmental pollution, hindering the achievement of SD goals.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47153,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Affairs","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144751499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Brain Drain in Sport: Socio-Cultural, Economic Drivers, and Policy Implications of Athlete Migration","authors":"Rasool Norouzi Seyed Hossini,&nbsp;Maryam Amini,&nbsp;Erfan Moradi,&nbsp;Fereshteh Mohebbi,&nbsp;Asghar Afshar Jahanshahi","doi":"10.1002/pa.70068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.70068","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The global sports landscape has witnessed a significant rise in athlete migration, shaped by complex socio-cultural and economic factors. This study employs a qualitative research design based on grounded theory, specifically utilizing situational analysis (SA), to examine the migration dynamics of Iranian athletes. SA was selected for its capacity to provide a comprehensive analytical framework that captures the historical context, social arenas, and positionalities influencing migration trajectories. Findings reveal that Iranian athletes' migration is primarily driven by: (1) socioeconomic instability, and (2) the network of social relationships, which collectively shape five distinct migration positions. By developing a grounded theoretical model, this study offers a nuanced typology of Iranian athlete migration, contributing to the broader discourse on sports mobility, transnationalism, and the intersection of structural constraints and individual agency in migration decisions. From a policy perspective, the study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of migration, such as socioeconomic instability and the lack of opportunities within national sports systems. While investments in economic development, sports infrastructure, and talent retention strategies are generally believed to mitigate migration, initial improvements in these areas may not necessarily lead to less migration and could, in some cases, exacerbate the trend. This paper explores this theoretical contradiction and suggests that while investment in sports development is crucial, further research is needed to understand how such policies interact with different types of migration, including economic, forced, and temporary migration. Policies aimed at improving economic conditions for athletes, fostering talent retention strategies, and enhancing local sports infrastructures may still play a role in reducing some forms of migration, particularly if coupled with efforts to create stronger support networks and career development programs for athletes within the country.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47153,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Affairs","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144687926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Attracting Foreign Direct Investment in ASEAN: The Impact of Institutional Quality and Macroeconomic Drivers","authors":"Muhammad Azam Khan,&nbsp;Yusnidah Ibrahim,&nbsp;Nor Salwati Othman,&nbsp;Sardar Fawad Saleem","doi":"10.1002/pa.70071","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.70071","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Institutional quality (IQ) stands as a cornerstone in shaping foreign direct investment (FDI), influencing both the confidence and commitment of international investors in any nation's economy. This research empirically explores the influence of IQ variables, along with other important macroeconomic factors, on inward FDI in nine countries of the <span></span><math>\u0000 <semantics>\u0000 <mrow>\u0000 <mtext>Association of Southeast Asian Nations</mtext>\u0000 </mrow>\u0000 <annotation>$$ mathrm{Association} mathrm{of} mathrm{Southeast} mathrm{Asian} mathrm{Nations} $$</annotation>\u0000 </semantics></math> (ASEAN) using quarterly data from 2002Q1 to 2022Q4. Appropriate estimation techniques, including Robust Least Squares, Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), and Dynamic OLS estimators, are implemented in the current work to estimate the parameters. The study finds that IQ variables, namely corruption, rule of law, political stability, and government effectiveness, are significant in determining FDI inflows in the ASEAN economies, in addition to macroeconomic variables such as trade openness, urbanization, market size, financial sector development, tourism development, and inflation rate. The findings reveal that political stability and the rule of law positively influence FDI inflows, and corruption and government effectiveness show significant negative effects. Most variables showed significance at the 1% level. Findings suggest that policymakers should prioritize strengthening institutional governance, reducing corruption, and improving regulatory frameworks to create a more secure and attractive investment environment. Also, the stakeholders and development agencies must support institutional reforms to enhance legal certainty and administrative efficiency to boost FDI growth.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47153,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Affairs","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144666265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Post-M&A Efficiency in Indian Banking Sector: Insights From Data Envelopment Analysis","authors":"Anukampa Das,&nbsp;Nirakar Barik,&nbsp;Malabika Deo,&nbsp;V. Lourden Selvamani","doi":"10.1002/pa.70062","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.70062","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Merger and Acquisition (M&amp;A) in the Indian banking sector are driven by a combination of strategic, economic, and technological factors aimed at transforming the landscape of financial services. Hence, it becomes important to check the impact of M&amp;A on the performance of banks in terms of efficiency improvements which are largely unchecked. This study examines the impact of mergers on the overall technical efficiency (OTE) of the Indian banking sector, utilizing a two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach for analysis. The findings reveal that private-sector banks experience more significant efficiency improvements than public-sector banks. Interestingly, the Federal Bank and HDFC Bank emerge as highly robust institutions based on discriminant analysis. Logistic regression results show asset quality significantly boosts OTE for public sector banks, while bank size drives efficiency in private sector banks. These insights contribute to the literature on M&amp;As and the banking efficiency of India's evolving banking landscape.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47153,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Affairs","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144666262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Crude Oil Price Variability and Employment Dynamics in Pakistan: A Sectoral Analysis","authors":"Khizra Nasir,&nbsp;Tanvir Ahmed,&nbsp;Talah Numan Khan,&nbsp;Rabiya Nasir","doi":"10.1002/pa.70070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.70070","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This research analyzed the link between crude oil prices and employment in Pakistan's agricultural, industrial, and services sectors. Pakistan, being an oil-importing country, is heavily dependent on imported oil for its macroeconomic performance. In 2022, the country imported crude oil worth $5.23 billion and was the 29^th largest importer of crude oil in the world. The entire economy, as well as each sector, is heavily dependent on imported oil, and consequently its fluctuating prices. Changes in oil prices pose a challenge for Pakistan's sectoral employment through different transmission channels. This research fills the gap in the literature by analyzing the impact of crude oil price on sectoral employment in Pakistan. In this research, time series data for the period 1981–2019 has been used. For employment dynamics in the agricultural, industrial, and service sectors, models based on efficiency wage theory have been developed and estimated using the ARDL co-integration technique. Estimated models indicate that a 1% increase in real crude oil prices resulted in a 0.13%, 0.1%, and 0.02% decline in employment in the agricultural, industrial, and services sectors, respectively. Among sector-specific variables, exports from each sector have a positive impact, while imports have a negative impact on employment in the respective sector. The results of the study recommend the stabilization of oil prices by readjustment of taxes and profit margins of oil companies by the Government of Pakistan. This shall promote tangible sectoral employment leading to the welfare of the impoverished masses.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47153,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Affairs","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144646802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Resolving the Effectiveness–Efficiency Paradox in AI-Enabled Public Services: Insights From the Resource-Based View and Public Value Theory","authors":"Novianita Rulandari,&nbsp;Andri Dayarana K. Silalahi","doi":"10.1002/pa.70067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.70067","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The integration of AI in public services creates a paradox where efficiency can undermine effectiveness, affecting service quality, citizen trust, and stakeholder satisfaction. This study addresses the dual outcomes of citizen and employee satisfaction, highlighting the moderating role of Human-AI collaboration in balancing these dimensions. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Perceived Value Theory (PVT), the research examines AI's impact on citizen satisfaction (effectiveness) and employee satisfaction (efficiency). Data were collected from 805 government employees and 699 citizens across multiple Indonesian public agencies over a 6-month period in 2024 and analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results show that service accuracy, transparency, and trust enhance citizen satisfaction, while processing time, accessibility, and resource utilization improve employee satisfaction. Human-AI collaboration moderates the relationship between efficiency and service quality, aligning effectiveness and efficiency to achieve dual satisfaction. By addressing theoretical gaps in public administration and AI adoption, the study underscores Human-AI collaboration as a critical mechanism for integrating technological solutions with human oversight.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47153,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Affairs","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144635469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Young Household Intentions to Prevent Food Waste: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Health Belief Model","authors":"Muhammad Danish Habib,&nbsp;Nadia Ashraf,&nbsp;Festus Victor Bekun,&nbsp;Anar Aliyev","doi":"10.1002/pa.70065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.70065","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Food waste is a contemporary global issue that obstructs the achievement of many sustainable development goals (SDGs). Despite exponential growth in research related to food waste, there is not enough evidence in developing countries to guide policymakers in creating effective strategies. This research seeks to address the existing research gaps in understanding food waste prevention behavior by utilizing well-known theoretical lenses: the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the health belief model (HBM). The current study examines food waste prevention intentions of Pakistani households. Data was collected from 607 young households through the convenience sampling technique. The study results validated the propositions of TPB and HBM. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical knowledge related to food conservation by uncovering food waste prevention behavior. The study results are useful for practitioners and policymakers.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47153,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Affairs","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144598214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Does Corporate Social Responsibility Support Progress Toward Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Bangladesh?","authors":"Md Tota Miah,&nbsp;Tamal Chakrobortty,&nbsp;Kaniz Habiba Afrin,&nbsp;Anita Dancs,&nbsp;Mária Fekete-Farkas","doi":"10.1002/pa.70064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.70064","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study aims to critically assess the effectiveness of banks' CSR in advancing the sustainable development goals in Bangladesh. We employed exploratory and descriptive methods, including content analysis of published reports. Additionally, the annual report of 32 scheduled banks over a 5-year period (2018–2022) and the United Nations SDGs report 2022 were examined to evaluate the social and environmental impacts, uncovering the remaining challenges. The findings indicate that banks' CSR efforts primarily focus on socio-economic development, with less emphasis on environmental concerns due to financial constraints. However, they have made significant contributions to sectors such as education and disaster management. More CSR funds from government and foreign banks are needed to support other SDGs, for example, climate change, health, decent work and economic growth, and sustainable consumption and production. Finally, the research highlights the essential role of robust public-private partnerships, civil society involvement, and stakeholder engagement for the government to achieve the relevant SDGs. The paper also offers implications for policymakers, businesses, academics, and practitioners, emphasizing the moral responsibility of these stakeholders towards society.</p>","PeriodicalId":47153,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Affairs","volume":"25 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/pa.70064","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144550847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}