Ivana Butoracová Šindleryová, Lukáš Cíbik, Kamil Turčan
et al.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant vulnerabilities in public-sector administrative capacity, particularly in the implementation of crisis-related state aid schemes. Under conditions of extreme workload, time pressure, and legal constraints, administrative processes became critical determinants of policy effectiveness rather than routine implementation mechanisms. This study examines how such processes perform under crisis conditions and whether process modeling and simulation can identify efficiency gains without undermining procedural control. Using a case study of a COVID-19 state aid scheme administered by the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic, the study combines Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN)-based process modeling, discrete-event simulation, and Monte Carlo analysis, and can identify efficiency gains in crisis-related state aid administration. The methodological approach integrates BPMN-based process modeling, discrete-event simulation, and scenario-based (“what-if”) sensitivity analysis to evaluate process performance under crisis-induced demand surges. Key performance indicators, including processing time, labor costs, and resource utilization, are analyzed using simulation outputs and dashboard-based visualization. Data analysis is conducted through simulation-based evaluation of key performance indicators, including processing time, labor costs, queue length, and resource utilization, under both baseline (AS-IS) and redesigned (TO-BE) process configurations. Scenario-based (“what-if”) and sensitivity analyses are applied to assess the effects of crisis-induced demand surges and capacity constraints on administrative performance. The results show that increased application volume during the crisis led to disproportionate growth in processing times due to queue accumulation and resource contention. Simulation-based process redesign reduced the average process cycle time by up to 12.8% and labor costs per application by up to 8.4% compared to the AS-IS configuration. However, efficiency gains diminished as resource utilization approached capacity limits, indicating structural constraints inherent to public administration. These findings demonstrate that process-oriented simulation provides a robust analytical tool for understanding administrative behavior under crisis conditions and for designing more efficient and resilient state aid mechanisms. The study contributes to public administration research by offering a micro-level, process-based perspective on crisis governance that complements the existing macro-level policy evaluations.
Political institutions and public administration (General)
BackgroundAcademic institutions face increasing challenges in grant writing due to evolving federal and state policies that restrict the use of specific language. Manual review processes are labor-intensive and may delay submissions, highlighting the need for scalable, secure solutions that ensure compliance without compromising scientific integrity.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a secure, artificial intelligence–powered tool that assists researchers in writing grants consistent with evolving state and federal policy requirements.
MethodsGrantCheck (University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School) was built on a private Amazon Web Services virtual private cloud, integrating a rule-based natural language processing engine with large language models accessed via Amazon Bedrock. A hybrid pipeline detects flagged terms and generates alternative phrasing, with validation steps to prevent hallucinations. A secure web-based front end enables document upload and report retrieval. Usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale.
ResultsGrantCheck achieved high performance in detecting and recommending alternatives for sensitive terms, with a precision of 1.00, recall of 0.73, and an F1-score of 0.84—outperforming general-purpose models including GPT-4o (OpenAI; F1=0.43), Deepseek R1 (High-Flyer; F1=0.40), Llama 3.1 (Meta AI; F1=0.27), Gemini 2.5 Flash (Google; F1=0.58), and even Gemini 2.5 Pro (Google; F1=0.72). Usability testing among 25 faculty and staff yielded a mean System Usability Scale score of 85.9 (SD 13.4), indicating high user satisfaction and strong workflow integration.
ConclusionsGrantCheck demonstrates the feasibility of deploying institutionally hosted, artificial intelligence–driven systems to support compliant and researcher-friendly grant writing. Beyond administrative efficiency, such systems can indirectly safeguard public health research continuity by minimizing grant delays and funding losses caused by language-related policy changes. By maintaining compliance without suppressing scientific rigor or inclusivity, GrantCheck helps protect the pipeline of research that advances biomedical discovery, health equity, and patient outcomes. This capability is particularly relevant for proposals in sensitive domains—such as social determinants of health, behavioral medicine, and community-based research—that are most vulnerable to evolving policy restrictions. As a proof-of-concept development study, our implementation is tailored to one institution’s policy environment and security infrastructure, and findings should be interpreted as preliminary rather than universally generalizable.
The agricultural sector is one of the most important sectors of the national economy, as its efficiency
can determine the overall state of the country’s economy and has a decisive impact on food supply
levels and the well-being of the population. Therefore, studying ways to increase labor productivity in
agricultural enterprises is particularly important. It determines the pace of expanded reproduction in these enterprises and the full satisfaction of the population’s demand for agricultural products. This is
especially relevant in the context of strengthening the country’s food security and pursuing an import
substitution policy. Currently, labor productivity in Azerbaijan’s agricultural sector is low compared to
that of other countries. The main reasons for this include a lack of qualified personnel, underdeveloped
production culture, and insufficient advancement in technology and digitization. Therefore, the primary
priority today is to address and eliminate these issues.
Relevance of the topic. At present, increasing labor productivity in local enterprises, including
agricultural enterprises, is receiving significant attention. In this context, the role of innovations must
be given special consideration. The application of innovations in agricultural enterprises primarily
involves the use of new technologies, more productive breeds and plant varieties, and biotechnologies
that enable the production of higher-quality, more beneficial products. It also includes the introduction
of new technical means for soil cultivation, the cleaning and storage of raw materials, energy-saving
technologies in production, and environmental innovations that enhance productivity, minimize costs,
and ensure environmental safety. Given these advantages, the application of innovations plays a crucial
role in increasing labor productivity. Therefore, conducting research in this direction has become
increasingly urgent and necessary.
The purpose of the article is to study the role of innovations in increasing labor productivity
in agricultural enterprises. It also aims to explore the directions of innovation-oriented development
in these enterprises, as well as the main forms, methods, and mechanisms of state stimulation. The
article highlights the development of innovation policy and the achievement of its strategic goals
as key conditions for increasing labor productivity in the agricultural sector. These strategic goals
include enhancing national competitiveness through innovations—particularly those that are directly
relevant to agricultural producers—and identifying and supporting high-tech sectors that can drive
rapid economic growth.
Research methods. general scientific analysis and synthesis, grouping, generalization, factor
analysis, economic-statistical analysis, comparative analysis, development dynamics
Scientific innovation. The article examines the specific features of the innovation process in
agricultural enterprises compared to other sectors of the economy. It explores the ways of increasing
labor productivity in these enterprises and identifies the advantages brought by innovation. It is argued
that one of the key benefits of innovation is its ability to enhance the efficiency and productivity of
agricultural enterprises. Through innovative technologies and methodologies, these enterprises can
reduce costs, increase productivity, and optimize their production activities. The article emphasizes
that innovation has always been a driving force behind progress and success in various sectors of the
economy—and the agricultural sector is no exception. As the global population continues to grow, so
does the demand for food and other agricultural products. To meet this increasing demand, agricultural
enterprises must enhance their competitiveness, and one of the most effective ways to do so is through
innovation.
In the low-carbon economy era, the impacts of government environmental policies on the corporate labor force have received increasing attention. This study empirically examines the effects of the carbon emission trading scheme (ETS) on corporate labor costs using a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies in the industrial sector from 2007 to 2020. Empirical analysis shows that the ETS significantly increases corporate labor costs, and this finding is further supported by various robustness tests. Further analysis reveals that the ETS primarily affects labor costs by promoting the upgrading of the human capital structure, and the impact of the ETS on labor costs is more significant in enterprises in China's eastern region, those with higher labor intensity, and state-owned enterprises. Additionally, the effects of the ETS on corporate labor costs manifest mainly in the increase in the labor costs of ordinary employees. We contribute to the existing literature by enhancing the current understanding of the policy implications of the ETS and shedding light on the dynamics of corporate labor costs under the low-carbon economy.
This article critically examines the socioeconomic impact of national education policies
in Romania, conceptualized as a peripheral European Union member state. Focusing on structural
disparities, human capital development, and long-term socioeconomic resilience, the study
investigates how education policy instruments mediate inequalities in labor market outcomes, social
mobility, and regional development. The analysis combines empirical socioeconomic data from
Romania with a structured review of European education policy literature to contextualize national
trajectories within broader EU cohesion debates. The findings highlight persistent gaps between
policy objectives and socioeconomic outcomes and underscore the need to reconceptualize
education not only as a driver of skills formation, but also as a key mechanism for social equity and
sustainable development in peripheral contexts.
Background. The significance of the problem under study is due to the fact that the peasantry has always been the most disenfranchised part of society in our country. In the middle of the 1960s the state begins the consistent implementation of the reorientation from the policy of merciless exploitation of peasant labor pursued for decades to comprehensive economic support for the development of collective farms and state farms, strengthening both the financial situation and the legal status of collective farmers and state farm workers. How-ever, the severity of the problem of compliance with law and order in agricultural production has not only not decreased, but has increased in some areas. The purpose of the study is to analyze the most common examples of misappropriation of funds and embezzlement in col-lective farms and state farms of Stavropol district of Kuibyshev region in the late 1960s – the first half of the 1970s, as well as to identify the socio-economic and moral roots of this phe-nomenon. Materials and methods. The solution of the tasks set in the work was achieved by applying the comparative-historical method to the analysis of documents extracted from the funds of the Togliatti archive. Results. The closed reports of the prosecutor’s office on the results of the conducted in 1969–1975 were studied. checks in collective farms and state farms of Stavropol district of Kuibyshev region. Their result was the identification of a large number of cases of misappropriation of funds intended for the development of agricultural production, as well as theft of material resources associated with it. Were identified, grouped and analyzed and the most common of them. Conclusions. Theft of public property in agri-culture in the late 1960s – the first half of the 1970s were a widespread social phenomenon. It had objective reasons generated by the very nature of the Soviet command-administrative model of the state and society. As for the misappropriation of funds, in the conditions of Soviet reality it was the fastest and most effective way to solve many economic and social issues on the ground.
The investment climate is a key factor for attracting capital, stimulating innovation and
strengthening competitiveness. The purpose of the study is to analyze the current state of the investment environment in the country, assess its attractiveness for foreign investors, and reveal the
main factors affecting the development of business in Denmark as one of the leading countries of
the European Union. The analysis of the investment attractiveness of the country is based on the
research of available data, official reports and other sources of information. A general overview of
the current investment climate in Denmark indicates that the country continues to be an attractive
destination for investors. The country is known for its stable economy, high level of innovation and
strong legal system, which creates a favorable environment for investment. The article carried out
a thorough analysis of not only the main macroeconomic indicators, but also a comparative analysis of investor protection, analyzed the dynamics of the corruption perception index, the level of
education among the country’s population, and analyzed the innovative environment of Denmark.
In addition, the article discusses the types of risk for investing in the Danish economy. Denmark’s
successful competitiveness is due to a combination of several factors: emphasis on innovation and
research, high quality education, flexible labor market, efficient infrastructure, state support for entrepreneurship and a stable political and economic situation. The results of the study provide concrete recommendations for government and business, promoting investment attraction and sustainable economic growth in Denmark. The country has significant potential for further development
of its investment climate thanks to numerous advantages, in particular in the fields of green energy
and information technology. Denmark is pursuing an energy efficiency policy and phasing out fossil fuels, as well as investing in digital infrastructure. However, there are certain risks, such as political and legislative changes, geopolitical factors, changes in international trade and market competition, which may affect investment activities in the country. Investors need to carefully analyze
these risks and take them into account in their risk management strategies.
The purpose of the work is to study the importance of the appropriate level of financing of the small business sector, as an integral component of the market economy, which provides solutions to a number of urgent needs of society, the determination of priority financial programs for their financing in conditions of military aggression. Methodology. The theoretical and methodological basis of the research is general scientific and special methods. Scientific knowledge: generalization, analogy, analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction (for clarifying the conceptual apparatus, theoretical generalizations of research results, conclusions and proposals); an economic-statistical, tabular research method is used. Theoretical and methodological approaches to the development of farms and cooperatives are substantiated. The understanding of the essence of small business is revealed and the economic and legal aspects of the development of the agrarian sector of the economy are analyzed based on a combination of economic and financial interests, the need to adapt to changes in the business environment, production technologies, as well as in the needs of buyers, because they saturate the market with goods and services, diversify the labor market with new jobs, ensure economic competition – the basis of the functioning of the market mechanism. Results. The understanding of the essence of small business is revealed and the economic and legal aspects of the development of the agrarian sector of the economy are analyzed based on a combination of economic and financial interests, the need to adapt to changes in the business environment, production technologies, as well as in the needs of buyers, because they saturate the market with goods and services, diversify the labor market with new jobs, ensure economic competition – the basis of the functioning of the market mechanism. An analytical assessment of the types of financial security showed that the involvement of various types of financial resources will improve the opportunity to gain competitive positions in the market of various financial products. Practical consequences. According to the results of the research, the priority directions for improvement were determined. An important component and leading direction of the credit policy in agriculture should be the creation of a preferential lending mechanism for agricultural producers. We also need a guarantee from the state in the provision by banks of interest-free and deferred payment targeted loans for the modernization and expansion of the material and technical base of agricultural production, the introduction of new technologies, the creation of enterprises for processing and sale of products in conditions of military aggression.
Economics as a science, Management. Industrial management
Abstract Purpose Rural communities have unique economic and social structures, different disease burdens, and a more patchworked healthcare delivery system compared to urban counterparts. Yet research into addressing social determinants of health has focused on larger, urban, integrated health systems. Our study sought to understand capacities, facilitators, and barriers related to addressing social health needs across a collaborative of independent provider organizations in rural Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. Methods We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 37 key informants from collaborative members including 4 stand-alone critical access hospitals, 3 critical access hospitals affiliated with primary care, 1 multi-clinic system, and 1 integrated regional health system. Findings Barriers were abundant and occurred at the organizational, community and policy levels. Rural providers described a lack of financial, labor, Internet, and community-based social services resources, a limited capacity to partner with other organizations, and workflows that were less than optimal for addressing SDOH. State Medicaid and other payer policies posed challenges that made it more difficult to use available resources, as did misaligned incentives between partners. While specific payer programs and organizational innovations helped facilitate their work, nothing was systemic. Relationships within the collaborative that allowed sharing of innovations and information were helpful, as was the role leadership played in promoting value-based care. Conclusions Policy change is needed to support rural providers in this work. Collaboration among rural health systems should be fostered to develop common protocols, promote value-based care, and offer economies of scale to leverage value-based payment. States can help align incentives and performance metrics across rural health care entities, engage payers in promoting value-based care, and bolster social service capacity.
Los cambios demográficos y sociosanitarios están originando un incremento progresivo de personas mayores cada vez más longevas, lo que conlleva problemas de dependencia en las últimas etapas de su vida. La valoración de cada caso y el reconocimiento del grado de dependencia establecido en la Ley 39/2006, de 14 de diciembre, de Promoción de la Autonomía Personal es fundamental para que el personal gerocultor desarrolle con calidad el ejercicio de sus funciones, sin dejar a un lado la especial mención que hace la Ley a la formación y a la cualificación de los profesionales y cuidadores. La polémica se suscita en el artículo 17 del VII Convenio Colectivo Marco Estatal de Servicios de Atención a las Personas Dependientes, cuando se especifican las funciones del gerocultor, y la posible incompatibilidad existente en el ejercicio de determinadas funciones residenciales. No obstante, la jurisprudencia avala esa atribución de funciones, en su momento a través de la Sentencia 1/2019, de 21 de enero de la Audiencia Nacional, y de forma posterior en la Sentencia 1024/2020, de 24 de noviembre donde la Sala de lo Social del Tribunal Supremo da firmeza al artículo 17 del Convenio Colectivo.
Objective: Optimizing asset allocation at the asset class level and measuring the insolvency risk of the Social Security Organization (SSO)by considering the value at risk constraint.
Methods: At first we hand-collect the book value of assets for the SSO using its financial statements from 2001 through 2015 and categorize assets into three asset classes: stocks, real estate and bonds. We then estimate the market value of assets using returns for the corresponding market during this period. Subsequently, we generate 300 forecasts for each market return over a 75-year horizon by the Monte Carlo simulation method. These efforts, Combined with the predictions of expenditures and contributions of the SSO from the International Labor Organization (ILO), for helping us have sufficient data to design and solve a multi-stage stochastic programming model. Also, we have adequate data to calculate the probability of insolvency in the SSO by counting the number of infeasible solutions through all forecasts in the model.
Results: We obtain optimal allocation for all three asset classes and propose the types of reforms required for decreasing the insolvency risk in the SSO throughout the long term mending period in the way that imposes minimum pressure on pensioners and contributors simultaneously.
Conclusion: Despite the constraints faced by the SSO in terms of asset allocation, our results indicate that certain allocations are capable of resolving the underfunding problem for the SSO over the studied horizon. This solution involves implementing a set of gradual parametric reforms and optimal asset allocation. In a way that could meet stakeholders' purpose. We consider the restriction that the state is facing in payback its debt to the SSO whereby securitize them. After all, legislation reforms in running an independent regulator organization are essential. These exercises make us impose an excellent government for pension funds and construct an investment policy for them to reduce harmful intervention
The study employed qualitative research methods to study the experiences of 14 women who received assistance from the Esenler Social Service Center Social and Economic Support Unit (SED) while they underwent a divorce. This essay also explores problems that the women experienced afterwards and the various causes and effects of these problems. A phenomenological research approach was adopted in order to encourage participants to describe the phenomenon as they experienced it. By doing so, this study was able to accurately describe the structure of the phenomenon. According to our analysis of data collected through in-depth interviews, we identified three main topics: the marriage process, divorce process, and post-divorce process. These categories were further divided into subthemes. The research results demonstrate that the majority of divorced women were subjected to violence by their spouses. However, the women postponed divorce because they were unaware of their rights or did not want to negatively affect their children. However, when women decided to get divorced, their families and acquaintances reacted with overwhelmingly negative reactions, which affected the women. Our results also showed that women sometimes hid their divorces from others due to societal pressure. In summary, our study shows that divorce can place various social, economic, psychological, and cultural pressures on women, which can cause them to become unhappy.
Industrial relations, Social insurance. Social security. Pension
Monica Ribeiro da Silva , Ronaldo Marcos Lima de Araújo
No dia 22 de setembro de 2016, o então presidente Michel Temer encaminhou ao Congresso Nacional uma Medida Provisória, a MP 746/16, que dá início ao que passamos a chamar de reforma do ensino médio. Dentre as proposições estavam a divisão dos currículos em dois momentos distintos, um destinado à formação básica comum e outro subdividido em cinco itinerários formativos, dos quais cada estudante cursaria apenas um. Estava também definida a ampliação da carga horária da etapa para 1.400 horas anuais, a vinculação dos currículos ao documento ainda não existente de Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC), a possibilidade de realização de parcerias com o setor privado com vistas à oferta do itinerário da formação técnica e profissional, a obrigatoriedade de apenas duas disciplinas – Língua Portuguesa e Matemática, dentre outras.
Special aspects of education, Labor market. Labor supply. Labor demand
Marinete Costa de Lima, Maria de Fátima Matos de Souza
O objetivo deste artigo é compreender como o Estado do Pará estruturou o Currículo do Ensino Médio a partir da publicação das DCNEM - O estudo foi realizado por meio de pesquisa documental, com base nas Resoluções 761/1998, 078/2009, 191/2011 e demais documentos oficiais publicados pelo Conselho Estadual de Educação do Pará - CEE/PA. Os dados coletados revelam que devido à diversidade regional, infraestrutura escolar precária e falta de professores qualificados, a Lei no 13.415/17 ainda não foi implementada.
Palavras-Chave: Ensino Médio; Políticas Públicas; Organização Escolar.
Special aspects of education, Labor market. Labor supply. Labor demand
In this chapter we review the research linking national-level family policies on childcare services and parental leave to women’s labor market outcomes. We review the state of the literature in answering two primary questions: (1) Do generous family policies perpetuate gender inequality in the labor market? That is, do family policies have unintended consequences or promote women’s inclusion into the labor force at the expense of gender equality within it? (2) Do generous family policies promote gender equality for certain groups of women at the expense of other groups of women? In answering this second question we focus on how policies differentially affect women by social class. We conclude with directions for future research.
Neste artigo visamos analisar o percurso histórico da pedagogia do Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial do Espírito Santo (Senai-ES), de 1952 a 2002, operando com o pensamento crítico de base marxista. Essa reconstrução baseou-se na pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, fazendo emergir uma periodização dos modelos de formação profissional adotados pela instituição, centrados no aprender a fazer fazendo da Série Metódica Ocupacional; no aprender a ser da Formação para o Projeto e a Transferência; e no aprender a aprender da Formação Profissional Baseada em Competências.
Special aspects of education, Labor market. Labor supply. Labor demand
AbstractIn many countries, a non-negligible percentage of the working-age population has impairments that also entail reduced work capacity, and disability retirement is increasing. Despite this, studies on the effects of policies aimed at enhancing the labour market inclusion among people with disabilities, such as targeted wage subsidies, are surprisingly few. In an attempt to fill this gap, we have studied how wage subsidies affect future labour market outcomes for jobseekers with disabilities, in terms of employment and disability retirement. By using inverse probability weighting applied to rich Swedish register data, we contrast participants in the wage subsidy program to observably similar non-participants during a 19-year period. We find that participation was associated with both positive and negative labour market outcomes. On the negative side, participants were less likely to have unsubsidised employment. On the positive side, leaving the labour market through the disability insurance program was somewhat less common among participants. Moreover, using a broader employment measure including subsidised jobs, the participants were found to be employed to a larger extent, which could be interpreted either as locking-in effects or as fostering labour market inclusion.
O trabalho focalizou práticas de formação profissional e de formação política
organizadas e dirigidas por trabalhadores e militantes que se juntavam a eles, em uma
trajetória de solidariedade e resistência no chão de fábrica e com uma história
conhecida no meio operário.
Special aspects of education, Labor market. Labor supply. Labor demand