Education As an Instrument for an Active Social Policy： Assumptions, Performance, and Prospects

The crisis of the welfare state caused the change of the approach to the policy of social protection and the tools of its realization in countries of EU. The present trend consists in the transfer of the responsibility for the welfare of the society from the state to local autonomies, businessmen, and, first of all, people themselves. A basic assignment of the present social policy is building active attitudes of persons and families being found in a difficult situation. Help in this has to be： the realization of the watchword work instead of benefit and the broadly understood education as the protection （guarantee） against life risks. Therefore, the author undertook synthesis of the current sociological knowledge on the change of an approach to social policy objectives formulation. Using qualitative methods, she analyzed the content of literature comprising （showing） discourses on the opportunities and constraints associated with the modernization of the existing social policy and selected EU documents.

Social Media and the Public Policy Process in Egypt

For the past three years the political environment in Egypt, and the middle east in general, has undergone substantial change such as increase in public opinion and awareness, increase in political participation, increase in voting turnout franchise as well as introducing a new paradigm of communication which has great influence on the political and social landscape of the world ＂Social Media＂. The aim of this study is to explore the impact and effect of social media （Facebook） on the changing political environment of the public policy process in Egypt. This article analyzes the different stages of the Public Policy Process in Egypt, with application to the Minimum and Maximum Wage Policy, and examines how it was influenced by the Facebook, as a device of the social media, as a new channel of political mobilization.

Visualizing Need: Using Data Visualization as a Decision Support Tool in the Formulation of Social Policy

International social work is facing an exponentially growing number of critical challenges in developing nations in meeting essential social needs as well as the distribution of material goods, social and economic resources and the provision, and effective services delivery to populations of need. There is a need to respond rapidly to populations in need and adapt to quickly changing socio-economic conditions. However, the resources needed to evaluate data and make effective decisions to provide support are often limited by the availability of trained data analysts who can interpret statistical findings and make relevant service delivery decisions for such communities of need. Modern computing technology shows promise of providing a graphical evaluation approach to enriching understanding of the available information. Thereby, the need to make critical decisions is augmented for those decision-makers that are working most closely with marginalized groups. A recent research effort undertaken by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) sought to provide administrators and policy-makers with information regarding the associations between social capital, economic development, and food security in the mountain region of Perú. Survey data collection and descriptive statistical analysis were used to provide information on the relationship between socio-economic development services and the emergence of social capital needed to develop effective human self-support systems. This paper demonstrates how to provide a graphical interface between areas of economic need and development initiatives. A visual exploration of data patterns would serve to inform human service decision-makers as they develop policies and programs. Visualization of data helps to enrich meaning and understanding of core areas of population need. This enhanced information format can identify needs for social policy development and improve the delivery of critical services and resources. This paper will provide a conceptual argument for considering data visualization methods in the evaluation of significant needs for, at risk, international populations. The paper will also present a number of examples for improving data evaluation and the understanding of need through data visualization methods through widely available computing technology. Procedures for graphically representing data will be demonstrated using the Perú survey, and applications for social policy formulation will be discussed.

Social Policy Diffusion from the Perspective of Intergovernmental Relations： An Empirical Study of the Urban Subsistence Allowance System in China （1993-1999）

Universal access to China＇s social welfare system involves a process of diffusion from localities to the whole country on the basis of social policy innovations in which intergovernmental relations play a key role as a facilitator. The rapid establishment of the urban subsistence allowance system in more than 200 cities throughout the country in seven years （1993-1999） serves as a case for our empirical analysis of the diffusion mechanism of social policy innovations at different levels of government. Our findings show, firstly, that in adopting a new social policy, city governments have to respond to the social desire of local citizens while keeping fiscal constraints in mind; at the same time, they are affected by administrative orders from higher-level governments and the vertical fiscal relations between governments at different levels, and are also subject to competitive pressures from other cities at the same level. Secondly, city governments＇ policy innovations offer an opportunity for higher levels of government to learn from their experience. Thirdly, central government orders exert both a direct and indirect influence upon city governments, with provincial orders acting as intermediaries. And lastly, there is a clear difference in the time lag effect of orders from the central government and those at provincial level upon city governments＇ policy adoption.

Firm review revelation policy considering social ties among consumers

An optimization model is proposed to analyze the optimal review revelation policies and consumer online social network management strategies of e-commerce firms.The results show that displaying friend reviews to consumers does not necessarily increase firms profits.Only when positive reviews account for a large proportion of all the reviews and when the cost of showing friend reviews is not high,can showing friend reviews be more profitable than not showing such information.The distribution of social ties among consumers can affect firms profits.Even in the case that showing friend reviews to consumers is more profitable,an increase in the proportion of strong ties is not necessarily beneficial to firms.Only when the proportion of positive reviews is large enough,can firms profits increase with the increase in the proportion of strong ties among consumers.Moreover,the degree of consumer distrust in the average quality rating can also affect firms strategies for managing consumer online social networks.As the degree of consumer distrust in the average quality rating rises,firms are more likely to obtain higher profits by taking measures to increase the proportion of strong ties among consumers on their websites.

Uncoordination of China’s social assistance program resources and policy solutions

With the promulgation and implementation of Social Assistance Interim Measures, China hasbasically established the social assistance system framework with Dibao, Three-nos people support and disasterrelief as the basis, with housing aid, medical aid ,education aid and employment aid as the support and with temporaryassistance and charity help as the supplement. The establishment of various social assistance programsundoubtedly aims to fulfil different demands of urban and rural neddy people, however,the increase of socialassistance programs does not necessarily bring about an increase in the effectiveness of social assistance. Thispaper analyzes the uncoordination of Chinas social assistance program resources and put forward related policysolutions.

Constructing Public Participation Mechanism in Social Public Management＇ s New Normal

The construction and development of social public management's new normal depend on the scientific transformation of government functionalization orientation and highlighting the role of grassroots public's extensive illustrations on social issues and social conditions.Based on this situation,in the process of public participation mechanism construction,it is necessary to emphasize that the construction of joint elements should be carried out systematically and comprehensively,and to dig deep into the relations and functions of all elements.When the stability of public participation mechanism construction is fully guaranteed,it will extensively supervise and evaluate the development of government's social public management cause,help achieve the final goal of coordinating social development environment and social development elements,ensure that the intrinsic value of public participation mechanism can be thoroughly displayed.

Policy Needs for Social Security in the Process of Citizenization of the Peri-urban Farmers:A Case Study of Hefei City

We conduct a survey of transformational towns and villages in High-tech Development District, Yaohai District and Shushan District, Hefei City. Using data, we analyze the "sideline effect" and inherent contradiction of transformational cities, research the policy needs for social security and its trend in the citizenization process of the peri-urban farmers. On this basis, we construct the social security policy system that can adapt to the accelerated process of urbanization. Finally, we put forth the following recommendations for the social security policy in the citizenization process of the peri-urban farmers: distinguishing different groups' policy needs for social security; attaching importance to people's dynamic policy needs for social security in urbanization; focusing on the adaptability of social security policy transformation in urbanization; attaching importance to the social psychosocial environment of social security policy transformation in urbanization; achieving the trinity of non-farm conversion, urbanization and citizenization in the process of urbanization; strengthening the government's dominant position in the building of social security policy system.

Higher Education Admission Policy and Social Class of Ethnic Minority:The Case of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,China

Gaokao has been considered as the gatekeeper of intergenerational class reproduction in today’s slowing social mobility in China.In order to bolster the fairness of Gaokao,the Policy of Bonus Scores for Ethnic Minority Candidates(PBSEMC)has been issued,whose,however,effectiveness in promoting upward social class has not been adequately empirically explored.The difference-in-differences(DID)analysis based on cross-sectional data,which is distinct from the traditional DID analysis paradigm,was implemented to assess the Reform of PBSEMC in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1988.The results showed that PBSEMC had a significant and positive impact on the social classes of ethnic minorities,and gender,residence type and occupation type were also relevant to social class,aligning with the previous literature.The PBSEMC is effective in improving the social classes of ethnic minorities.However,the PBSEMC policy should be made more precise,in order to benefit the candidates who are in genuine need of assistance.

Comparative Analysis of Social Forces Participating in Emergency Management of Public Health Events in China, Australia, Germany and the United States

Objective To provide a reference and suggestions for Chinese social forces to participate in the emergency management of public health events.Methods Through literature research method,comparative research method and SWOT matrix analysis,four aspects of prevention,early warning,response and recovery of the social forces in China,Germany,Australia and the United States participating in emergency management were studied comparatively.Results and Conclusion In the emergency management of public health events,China’s social forces play greater role in the response and recovery phase than that in the prevention and response phase.As to its shortcomings,the following suggestions are made,such as incorporating social forces into the national emergency management system,strengthening the construction and training of social forces,popularizing public health knowledge and awareness,clarifying property rights and using incentives and punishment together.

Comparative Analysis on Policy Realization of Old and New Rural Social Endowment Insurance System

Based on the perspective of"political potential"and"incentive mechanism",this paper compares the different effects of the old rural social endowment insurance system and the new rural social endowment insurance system,so as to explain the policy realization degree of the old and new rural social endowment insurance system.According to the analysis,the new rural social endowment insurance system has greatly improved the implementation of policies,the implementation of policies,the overall planning ability between departments,and the enthusiasm of individual farmers to participate in the insurance.Compared with the old rural social endowment insurance system,the policy realization ability of the new rural social endowment insurance system has been significantly enhanced,and the effect of the policy realization has been significantly improved.

For a Legal Guarantee to Improve People’s Livelihood and Protect Human Rights——Thoughts on policy concerning Social Insurance Law (draft)

The People＇s Republic of China Social Insurance Law （draft） has undergone three readings at the Standing Committee of the National People＇s Congress. The Law, once promulgated, will be of great significance to implementation of the constitutional principle of ＂respecting and protecting human rights.＂ It will help regulate the various social insurance relationships and the rights and obligations of the parties involved.

Building a Business and Strategic Intelligence Policy as a Strategy for Promoting Congolese Business Progress and Healthy Economic Development in Eastern DRC

The aim of this study was to verify the existence of business and strategic intelligence policies at the level of Congolese companies and at the state level, likely to foster progress and healthy development in the east of the DRC. The study was based on a mixed perspective consisting of objective analysis of quantitative data and interpretative analysis of qualitative data. The results showed that business and strategic intelligence policies have not been established at either company or state level, as this is an area of activity that is not known to the players in companies and public departments, and there are no units or offices in their organizational structures responsible for managing strategic information for competitiveness on the international market. In addition, there is a real need to establish strategic information management units within companies, upstream, and to set up a national strategic information management department or agency to help local companies compete in the marketplace, downstream. This reflects the importance and timeliness of building business and strategic intelligence policies to ensure economic progress and development in the eastern DRC. Business and strategic intelligence provides companies with an appropriate tool for researching, collecting, processing and disseminating information useful for decision-making among stakeholders, in order to cope with a crisis or competitive situation. The study suggests a number of key recommendations based on its findings. To the government, it is recommended to establish the national policy of business and strategic intelligence by setting up a national agency of strategic intelligence in favor of local companies;and to companies to establish business intelligence units in their organizational structures in favor of stakeholders to foster advantageous decision-making in the competitive market and achieve progress. Finally, the study suggests that studies be carried out to fully understand the opportunities and impact of business and strategic intelligence in African countries, particularly in the DRC.

Are Socially Responsible Banks More Risk Averse and Dividends Providers?Empirical Evidence from a Developing Economy

Purpose:This study examines whether socially responsible firms are uninterested in risk-taking and whether socially responsible banks are more dividend providers than socially irresponsible ones.We conducted the analysis using the least-squares method for 290-panel data observations of 32 commercial banks operating in Bangladesh from 2008 to 2018.Methodology:We employed Ordinary Least Squares Regression for 290-panel data observations of 32 commercial banks operating in Bangladesh from 2008 to 2018 using EViews software version-8.Moreover,we conducted descriptive analysis and correlations using SPSS software.We considered CSRI and CSRPI as the indicators of corporate social responsibility,dividend per share and stock dividend as a proxy of dividend policy,LEV(leverage),and non-performing loan to total loan as the indicators of financial risk,and lastly,Z score as the indicator of financial stability.Findings:Studies have shown that banks prioritizing social responsibility tend to pay dividends to their shareholders more frequently and consistently than banks that do not.In particular,banks that invest heavily in corporate social responsibility(CSR)tend to maintain a stable dividend payout,which can help address agency problems that arise from overinvestment in the CSR sector.Additionally,we found that banks that make huge expenditures on CSR also seem to have a low eagerness for risk-taking.Again,we found that the financial stability of a socially responsible bank is high and stable enough,which will help efficiently handle the bank’s financial risks,reduce price fluctuations,and increase financial assets that generally influence a bank’s monetary stability.Implications:Banks implementing fruitful CSR strategies can produce substantial shareholder advantages through high dividend payout levels.An expansion in CSR-related expenditure does not prompt a cut-down or reduce the portion of income paid out as dividends to shareholders.Therefore,the Output of our study will help provide critical information and a thorough understanding of corporate social responsibility and its association with the dividend policy,risk,and financial stability in the banking sector.This will also be useful to the researcher,students,and corporate policymakers while making a critical decision about whether a firm should make expenditures on CSR purposes,how it impacts a firm’s dividend decision,and its connection with its overall risk and financial stability.According to the study,corporate social responsibility should be integrated into a firm’s mission and strategy rather than appearing to be a mere act of generosity.Originality/Value:This study uniquely considers CSR,dividend policy,risk,and financial stability simultaneously in a developing country.Besides,the three-dimensional measures of CSR used in the research focused on developing the economy are a precious contribution.

Determining Environmental Impacts for Sensitive Species: Using Iconic Species as Bioindicators for Management and Policy

Environmental assessment of impacts, management, and policy are important aspects of protection of human health and the environment. Assessing the impacts of human activities requires selection of bioindicator species that can be used to assess, manage, and develop public policies that ensure ecosystem integrity, and therefore sustainability of social, cultural, and economic systems. With the use of Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Pacific Cod (Gadusmacrocephalus), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), and Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), we explore assessment and measurement endpoints, and their relationship to management and development of public policy. This combination of fish and birds provides a diversity of life histories, ecosystem roles, human values, and resource use to explore their use as bioindicators and endpoints. It also allows examination of 1) conservation and protection of species and biodiversity, 2) protection of ecosystems, 3) provision of goods and services, and 4) societal well-being.

Civic and Social Applications to Support Public Policies on Health

The discussion with emphasis on social control is expressed in new guidelines for its effectiveness through normative instruments and the legal creation of institutional spaces that guarantee the participation of organized civil society in the direct supervision of the executive in the three spheres of government.Social participation for the strengthening of public health in Brazil has undergone complex processes of change,which have resulted in an increasingly qualified,deliberative,independent,and representative social control system.However,policy makers need to identify new technologies and carefully analyze their potential before they begin to exert their breaking power in the economy and society.Mobility and unlimited connectivity deserve special attention from the public power for the ability to achieve the digital inclusion of the citizen through smartphones.This requires a transformation of the governance structure into a platform that is based on the tripod transparency,participation,and collaboration,which relies on the Internet,social networks and connectivity.

Business Process Analysis and Simulation: The Contact Center of a Public Health and Social Information Office

This article proposes a framework, called BP-M* which includes: 1) a methodology to analyze, engineer, restructure and implement business processes, and 2) a process model that extends the process diagram with the specification of resources that execute the process activities, allocation policies, schedules, times of activities, management of queues in input to the activities and workloads so that the same model can be simulated by a discrete event simulator. The BP-M* framework has been applied to a real case study, a public Contact Center which provides different typologies of answers to users’ requests. The simulation allows to study different system operating scenarios (“What-If” analysis) providing useful information for analysts to evaluate restructuring actions.

Analysis of the relationship between environmental policies and air quality during major social events

Based on an analysis of major recent social events in China,such as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games,2010 Shanghai World Expo,2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games,and 2014 Beijing Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference,mandatory,temporary,and indemnificatory quantitative policies aimed at protecting air quality,which were carried out by both central and local governments,made substantial contributions to changes and improvements in air quality.To some extent,the findings show that command and control measures play a significant role in protecting air quality,while the law and economic and voluntary environmental safeguard measures do not during major social events.Therefore,it reminds us the air quality could and will improve not only during major social events but also in the regular days if we implement appropriate environmental policies and safeguard measures.

Personalized Privacy Protecting Model in Mobile Social Network

With the rapid development of the new generation of information technology,the analysis of mobile social network big data is getting deeper and deeper.At the same time,the risk of privacy disclosure in social network is also very obvious.In this paper,we summarize the main access control model in mobile social network,analyze their contribution and point out their disadvantages.On this basis,a practical privacy policy is defined through authorization model supporting personalized privacy preferences.Experiments have been conducted on synthetic data sets.The result shows that the proposed privacy protecting model could improve the security of the mobile social network while keeping high execution efficiency.

China's climate socialization and renewable energy coalition building

Against the backdrop of a heavy carbon lock-in energy structure,China has made considerable progress in renewable energy(RE)development and become a world leader in this area within a decade.Although existing research suggests that rapid RE growth is mainly due to the convergence of economic growth,green industry competition,and energy security concerns under a unique state-led model,they oversimplify the difficulty inherent in RE policy shifting supported by formerly weak pro-RE actors in China's historical trajectory of a low-carbon transition.By exploring the interaction between international and domestic actors by means of a socialization-based coalition-building framework,this paper aims at analyzing how the capacity building of the RE coalition gets enhanced via institutional anchoring and resource reallocation in the climate socialization process and how the strengthened RE coalition has spurred transformation in China's RE policy and the challenges they are confronted with.