Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons^™

Examining Inclusive Computing Education For Blind Students In India, Akshay Kolgar Nayak, Yash Prakash, Md Javedul Ferdous, Sampath Jayarathna, Hae-Na Lee, Vikas Ashok

Computer Science Faculty Publications

The growing demand for computer professionals, driven by the expanding Information Technology industry, has led to numerous inclusive computing education efforts. These efforts have even included blind or visually-impaired (BVI) students, who are being increasingly encouraged to pursue education and a career in computing, despite the visually-oriented nature of the discipline. Extant literature has predominantly focused on identifying and addressing the accessibility barriers faced by BVI students to promote more inclusive learning environments. While few studies have also investigated the accessibility of computing education from the perspectives of BVI learners and instructors, these have been primarily situated in the Global …

Towards Supporting Real-Time Estimation Of Vehicle Fuel Consumption And Co2 Emissions In Smart City Applications, Abrar Alali, Stephan Olariu

Computer Science Faculty Publications

This paper evaluates a simplified physics-based energy demand model designed to estimate vehicle fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions—a critical tool for sustainable transportation planning and smart city applications. Unlike data-driven regression models that lack generalizability for user-defined conditions or complex physics-based approaches that rely on extensive, often proprietary data, the simplified model is distinguished by its minimal parameter requirements, depending primarily on a single, overarching powertrain efficiency value. A key contribution is the comprehensive empirical evaluation of the simplified model against official Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test data across multiple driving cycles and vehicle types, providing a rigorous validation previously …

Biosecure-Llm Framework: Protecting Llms From Cyberbiosecurity Threats And The Case For Independent Ai Safety Governance, Xavier-Lewis Palmer, Lucas Potter, Srdjan Lesaja, Sotirios Karathanasis, Mohammad Ghasemigol

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Large Language Models (LLMs) are becoming critical infrastructure in scientific, healthcare, and governmental contexts. As frontier AI laboratories increasingly partner with government agencies, a fundamental question arises: Who should control the safety and policy-enforcement layers that constrain model behavior? Current safety mechanisms (LLM guardrails) are typically designed for generic "harmlessness" and operate by detecting semantic patterns and refusing requests. However, they are inadequate governance instruments because they cannot implement auditable, domain-specific controls tied to external regulatory policy objects (e.g., control lists or rules governing personally identifying information). Even a perfectly aligned model is not able to express institution-specific policy without …

The Impact Of Organizational Sustainability On Improving Companies’ Financial Performance (Applied To The Southern Refineries Company.), Thaer Khalaf Khashan

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The impact of organizational sustainability on improving companies' financial performance, applied to the Southern Refineries Company. The research aims to explore the impact oforganizational companies' financial performance. The research variables were organizational sustainability as an independent variable with its three dimensions (economic sustainability, social sustainability, and environmental sustainability), and improving financial performance as a dependent variable. To achieve the research objectives, the descriptive analytical approach was adopted. A questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of (400) individuals from the employees of the Southern Refineries Company, (388) questionnaires were retrieved, …

Alternative Vat Policies For Sustainable Menstrual Products In Indonesia, Saraswati Nirmala Suci, Hanik Susilawati Muamarah

Jurnal Akuntansi dan Keuangan Indonesia

Background: Sustainable menstrual products currently face the same VAT rate as conventional products, making them less affordable and slowing their adoption. This price gap drives consumers toward cheaper disposable alternatives, increasing non-recyclable waste and environmental risks. Addressing this imbalance is essential to advancing sustainability and menstrual equity. Method: This study conducted in-depth interviews with officials from the Directorate General of Taxes, the Fiscal Policy Agency, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, academicians, and a sustainable product manufacturer. Data were analyzed using the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) framework to evaluate four VAT policy alternatives: normal VAT, VAT exemption, non-collected VAT, and …

The Role Of Linear Programming And Sensitivity Analysis In Improving The Transportation And Distribution Of Vegetable Oils: A Case Study Of The State Company For Vegetable Oils In Iraq, Zainab Alaa Hameed

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The State Company for Vegetable Oils in Iraq faces a fundamental challenge of high transportation costs and inefficiency in distributing products across factories and warehouses to meet growing demand. Accordingly, this study aims to employ operations research methods-specifically linear programming and sensitivity analysis---to design a distribution plan that enhances efficiency and minimizes costs. The methodology involved developing a mathematical model of the transportation problem based on actual data related to supply quantities, demand requirements, and transportation costs between production sources and distribution outlets. The model was solved using WinQSB software to determine the optimal solution. Sensitivity analysis was then conducted …

The Impact Of Psychological Sustainability On The Strategic Agility System: The Role Of Design Thinking : An Analytical Study Of Technical Opinions From Senior Officials At Several Private Universities In Basra Governorate, Iman Hato Jahlol, Muhammed Nabeel Al-Salim

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This study seeks to address the limited ability of private colleges in Basra Governorate to cope with organizational and educational challenges by examining the relationship between employees’ psychological well-being (faculty members and administrators) and strategic agility, while testing the mediating role of design thinking. The study adopted a descriptive–analytical approach and employed validated scales: Ryff (1989) for psychological well-being, Ergin (2024) for design thinking, and Doz & Kosonen (2008) for strategic agility. The sample consisted of 196 participants selected through stratified random sampling. The study was guided by a main hypothesis stating that the combined dimensions of psychological well-being (purpose …

Digital Transformation And Its Role In Achieving Sustainable Competitive Advantage: Entrepreneurial Capabilities As A Mediating Variable – An Analytical Study Of A Group Of Private Banks, Kamal Kadhim Al-Hassani, Ali Matar Abd

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This study aims to explore the mediating role of entrepreneurial capabilities in the relationship between digital transformation and competitive advantage in the Iraqi banking sector. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, and data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 235 managers in private banks in Iraq, using a structured survey instrument. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed via AMOS v.25 to analyze the data and test the hypothesized relationships. The results revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between digital transformation and competitive advantage, highlighting the pivotal role of digital transformation in enhancing banks’ ability to achieve competitive superiority. More importantly, …

The Importance Of Official Development Assistance In The Financial Revenue Structure Of Recipient Countries: Selected Models, Abdul Kareem J.Shingar Al-Issa, Mustafa Takhakh Zahir

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

Official development assistance (ODA) is a source of financing typically linked to external sources and typically provided to developing and middle-income countries. It was approved by the United Nations in the first decade of development in the 1990s, and is provided by multilateral international agencies and sometimes by donor countries to recipient countries. This study addresses the importance of official development assistance (ODA) in countries that rely heavily on ODA to contribute to economic and social development. This study examines the structure of financial revenues in each of the countries represented by the Arab Republic of Egypt and Bangladesh. It …

The Role Of Transformational Leadership In Achieving Strategic Recovery: A Survey Study Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Directors In The General Directorate Of Education In Nineveh Governorate, Mariam Moneim Malallah Al-Halawajy

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The current study aims to shed light on the role of transformational leadership as an independent variable, embodied in four dimensions (idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration), in achieving strategic recovery as a dependent variable, represented by three dimensions (apology, compensation, and rapid response) at the General Directorate of Education in Nineveh Governorate. To achieve the objectives of the study, the descriptive–analytical approach was adopted as a methodological framework to accurately observe and analyze relationships. A validated questionnaire was designed for data collection and distributed to a sample of managers working in the Directorate, numbering (98). The …

Sustainable Development In The Islamic Economy Between Theoretical Foundations And Practical Application, Dr. Ahmed Abbas Abdalhussein

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This research aims to examine the implications of the Islamic vision of sustainable development and to identify the way Islamic law has addressed its environmental, economic, and social dimensions. This is achieved by examining evidence from the Prophet’s biography, which includes foundations that align, in some cases, with the goals of sustainable development, while also encompassing more comprehensive foundations for achieving sustainability. This is particularly true given that these foundations and principles are consistent with Islamic societies, as well as defining the responsibilities of the individual, society, and the state within the framework of the exalted status that God Almighty …

Total Quality Management And Its Relationship With Organizational Efficiency Through The Mediating Role Of Benchmarking –An Exploratory Study At The Hartha Thermal Power Station For Electric Power Generation, Dhuha Nadhem Abdullah Al-Maliki, Dr. Zainab Shallal Akkar Jaber

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

Public service organizations face increasing challenges in achieving organizational efficiency and sustainable excellence despite adopting quality initiatives. This is attributed to the limited integration of Total Quality Management (TQM) and benchmarking as pivotal tools in the continuous improvement process. This study aims to analyze the role of TQM, with its dimensions of (top management commitment, process management, training and capacity building, data-driven decision-making, and employee engagement), in enhancing organizational efficiency, while also examining the mediating role of benchmarking in this relationship. The study employed a descriptive-analytical approach and included a sample of 270 employees at the Al-Haritha Thermal Power Plant …

Navigating Trump Tariffs In Africa: The Role Of Regional Economic Integration, Baba N. Yaaba

Bullion

The global economy is shifting away from free trade toward protectionism and economic nationalism, from multilateralism to unilateralism. This is evidenced by both tariffs and non-tariff measures taken by major global powers, which arise from political populism, economic insecurity, and strategic competition among them. This study analyses this trend, emphasising Trump's recent tariffs and their attendant implications for the global economy. The study argues that African Regional Economic Integration offers a shield to the continent if pursued vigorously. With vast potential in Africa, strategic investments, good governance, and inclusive policies can drive growth. At the same time, cooperation, such as …

Ai Ethics And Governance For Leaders In Higher Education: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology Of Faculty Early Adopters’ Sensemaking, Pedagogical Innovation, And Transformation, Freddie Seba

Doctoral Dissertations

Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially Generative AI (GenAI), is transforming how we work, learn, acquire, produce, and deliver knowledge, as higher education experiences existential pressures, including demographic changes that reduce enrollment and revenues, as well as shifting public and government perceptions of higher education's value.

This hermeneutic phenomenology dissertation study explores how faculty early adopters critically engage, innovate, and experiment with this nascent transformational technology in their pedagogies amid multilevel pressures: macro—market-driven (neoliberalism) logic, Big Tech, and demographic change; meso—institutional policy, broader faculty community, and pedagogical innovation; micro—widespread student adoption, pedagogical experimentation, and innovation.

This dissertation study centers on shifting AI …

Social Construction Of Female-Headed Households Participating In Hud Public Housing Programs, Emma Forks

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem this study addressed involved factors associated with long-term program involvement of female-headed households living in public and vouchered housing. The literature indicated a significant gap regarding the reasons women who received federal housing assistance stayed in government housing. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to examine the experiences of female-headed households living in public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) housing in a Central Texas region, specifically to identify the factors that limited their ability to leave these programs. Using Schneider and Ingram’s social construction of target populations theory, the data was collected from eight participants …

The Role Of Fuzzy Logic In Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis, Ahmed Imad Abed Al-Atabe, Mohammed Wafi Abbas Al-Shammar

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

Cost-volume-profit analysis (CVP) is one of the most important basic tools in management accounting. It enables understanding the relationship between three key elements: costs, volume, and profit level. The problem with this research is that this type of analysis, in its traditional form, uses clear and fixed data, such as the variable cost per unit, total fixed costs, selling price, or sales volume, which can be accurately determined. However, these assumptions do not accurately reflect practical reality, which is often characterized by uncertainty and fluctuations. The research aims to utilize an artificial intelligence tool, fuzzy logic, as a more flexible …

Career Development And Its Role In Organizational Commitment: An Analytical Survey Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Employees At Al-Zahrawi Surgical Hospital/Maysan, Salem Haider Resen

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The research aims to reveal the role of career development in its dimensions (training, promotions, career planning) in enhancing organizational commitment, as the research problem was embodied in knowing the role played by career development in the organizational commitment of employees at Al-Zahrawi Surgical Hospital/Maysan? To achieve this, the research relied on a main hypothesis that (there is no statistically significant correlation or effect between career development and organizational commitment). The importance of the research is highlighted by its contribution to the development of human resources strategies to achieve organizational stability at the level of the Iraqi environment. On the …

The Impact Of Strategic Mindset On Competitive Pressures A Field Study At The Kronje Beverage Group, Dalal Salih Mahdi, Qadisiya Said Jabr

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This research examines the impact of the strategic mindset (systems thinking, reframing, and deep thinking) on competitive pressures In the Kronje Group for beverage production. The descriptive analytical approach was adopted, collecting data using a questionnaire and analyzing it to express the opinions of a sample of leaders in the Kronje Group, which produces various beverages. The data was collected using a questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. A purposive sample of (60) managers was selected to represent the original population of (92) managers. The focus was on senior management leaders, including managers, assistants, and heads of departments, divisions, …

The Impact Of Implementing Good Governance Principles On The Quality Of University Education: An Analytical Study Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Employees At Sawa Private University, Thanaa Hussein Jalil Al-Khuzaie

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

This study aims to analyze the impact of applying good governance principles—such as transparency, accountability, participation, and the rule of law—within higher education institutions on the quality of university education, by examining the relationship between these principles and academic and administrative quality indicators. The study population comprised academic and administrative staff at Al-Sahel Private University. A stratified random sample of 75 participants was selected from the university. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation), Pearson correlation coefficient, and coefficient of variation. The instrument’s reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and factor analysis was conducted. Hypotheses were tested using …

The Impact Of Using Management Information System On Enhancing Intelligent Organizations: An Exploratory Study Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Faculty Members At The College Of Administration And Economics – University Of Mosul, Ali Jasim Shalash

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The present study seeks to investigate the effect of the dimensions of the Management Information System (MIS) on fostering intelligent organizations, through analyzing the relationship between the system’s components (organization, human resources, information technology, and data/information) and the level of organizational intelligence. The research employed a descriptive–analytical methodology, with data collected from a sample of 88 faculty members at the College of Administration and Economics, utilizing a scientifically designed questionnaire. The results indicated a strong and statistically significant correlation between all MIS dimensions and the development of intelligent organizations, with the system accounting for 43.3% of the variance in organizational …

The Role Of Expert Systems In Enhancing Organizational Performance In Hotel Organizations A Descriptive–Analytical Study Of The Opinions Of A Sample Of Managers And Employees In First-Class Hotels In Erbil Governorate, Dr. Hassan Odah Ghdaab

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

The study aimed to identify the role of expert systems as an independent variable with its dimensions (hardware, software, knowledge engineer) in enhancing organizational performance as a dependent variable. The research problem emerged through the need to determine the role of expert systems in improving organizational performance if adopted by managers and employees in the surveyed hotel organizations. A hypothetical model was presented to test the main and sub-hypotheses and to answer the research questions. The study focused on five-star hotels, with the research population consisting of managers and employees in hotel organizations in Erbil Governorate, specifically: (Erbil Quartz Hotel, …

Embedded Paradox : The Integration Of Internationalization And Localization In Sino-Foreign Cooperative Universities, Jiaxin Guo

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

With the rapid development of Sino-foreign cooperative universities and their growing prominence in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), existing research has begun to focus on this niche sector. While prior studies have examined the tensions of global integration and local responsiveness in such institutions at a macro level, limited attention has been paid to students and faculty—the primary agents of educational practice. To address this gap, this study conducts fieldwork at CUHK-Shenzhen, a cross-border collaborative university in the GBA. This study adopted a qualitative research method and collected field data over six months, including teaching activities and campus …

Barriers To Youth Employment And Economic Mobility In The Bronx, David Cortes

CUNY Mexican Studies Institute

This research aims to uncover systemic factors that limit career stability for young adults in the Bronx. In this paper, I focus on unequal access to educational resources, economic inequality, and the digital divide as connected barriers that shape the quality of education and training youth receive, the resources and networks they have access to, and the opportunities they can realistically maintain over time. Based on a review of public data, media reports and the current literature, I argue that job instability in the Bronx is a structural problem. At the same time, this project pushes back against the assumption …

Drainage, Transportation, And City Security Policies In Realizing Urban Environment With Smart City Integration, Wahyudi Setiawan

Cities and Urban Development Journal

Latar Belakang: Perkembangan urbanisasi yang pesat di berbagai kota besar di Indonesia menyebabkan meningkatnya permasalahan perkotaan seperti banjir, kemacetan, dan tingkat kejahatan yang tinggi. Ketiga permasalahan ini saling berhubungan dan berdampak pada kualitas hidup masyarakat serta keberlanjutan lingkungan. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan kebijakan yang terintegrasi dengan konsep Smart City untuk menciptakan lingkungan perkotaan yang lebih aman, nyaman, dan berkelanjutan.

Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kebijakan drainase, transportasi, dan keamanan kota dalam mengatasi permasalahan perkotaan serta mengevaluasi implementasi teknologi dalam mendukung kebijakan tersebut.

Motode: Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif dengan studi literatur, analisis kebijakan, dan wawancara …

Research Advances On Foreign Portfolio Investments: A Bibliometric And Thematic Analysis, Ritu Sapra, Dixit Yadav, Kamal Upreti, Nishant Kumar, Rituraj Jain, Akhilesh Tiwari

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

Foreign portfolio investments have been at the center of research in the finance, economics, and international business domains since the early 1990s when developing economies started to relax their capital account and allowed the entry of foreign investments. Over the years, various macroeconomic (country-specific and global), firm-specific, and quality factors have been studied as determinants in relation to these flows, Still, there is no consensus regarding which factor influences more than the others. This paper uses bibliometric analysis to understand the existing literature to build a solid conceptual base in this research topic. For this study, bibliometric data of 731 …

Engaging Stakeholders To Build, Sustain, And Grow Responsible Business: Some Frameworks, Meena Raghunathan, Kara Li Liu

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

This is a follow-up Dialogue commentary to the MGDR publication:

Raghunathan, Meena and Liu, Kara Li (2024) "Moving from ‘Managing Stakeholders’ to ‘Managing for Stakeholders’: The Imperative for Responsible Business," Markets, Globalization & Development Review: Vol. 9: No. 3, Article 4.
DOI: 10.23860/MGDR-2024-09-03-04
Available at: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/mgdr/vol9/iss3/4.

In this commentary, the concepts of stakeholder approach to management is expanded and deepened.

Three Essays On The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap): Examining External Shocks, Protective Effects, And Administrative Challenges, Hyojeong Kim

Dissertations - ALL

Abstract In this dissertation, I present three studies that examine how different forms of inconsistency—arising from timing disruptions, eligibility structures, and administrative churn—shape the functioning and effectiveness of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Although SNAP is designed to provide a reliable source of food assistance, access to benefits is not always predictable, continuous, or evenly accessible. The studies show that inconsistencies can emerge through external shocks that alter the timing of benefit delivery, through eligibility rules tied to disability determinations in other programs that may exclude self-reported disabled households from accommodations, and through administrative procedures that generate temporary interruptions …

China's Spy Network In America: A People's War Against An Open House: America Needs To Confront The Reality Of The New Cold War, Shaomin Li

Management Faculty Publications

The article discusses China's extensive espionage activities in the United States, framing it as part of a broader "people's war" strategy employed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It highlights historical cases of espionage, such as those involving Qian Xuesen and Bo Jiang, to illustrate the ongoing threat posed by Chinese intelligence efforts, which leverage both state-sponsored and civilian participation. The article contrasts the CCP's ruthless approach to espionage with the U.S. legal system's more restrained response, emphasizing the asymmetry in their respective strategies. It concludes by urging the U.S. to recognize and confront the realities of this new Cold …

Unintended Consequences Of California’S Proposition 12 Affecting Low-Income Communities, Blanca Estella Garcia

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The background of this study established context describing the 2018 implementation of Proposition 12 in California, a law intended to improve animal welfare standards. The central problem identified the law’s unintended effects on multiple stakeholders, which prior literature suggested could include increased production costs and limit consumer access. However, existing studies have focused on theoretical and economic projections, leaving gaps in understanding secondary data research and practical impacts on farmers and low-income consumers. The purpose of the study was to examine unforeseen consequences of Proposition 12, with attention to its direct and indirect impacts on animal welfare, farmers, and low-income …

A Comprehensive Study Of Crash Severity And Its Contributing Factors, Seyedmahyar Madarshahian

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation presents a comprehensive analysis of factors influencing crash injury severity across diverse road and work zone environments. Using advanced statistical modeling techniques, it examines crash outcomes in four critical contexts: general road crashes, work zone crashes, truck-involved crashes, and high-speed rear-end collisions. A mixed logit modeling framework with random parameters, incorporating heterogeneity in parameter means and variances, is employed to capture unobserved heterogeneity in crash data. The analyses are further refined through targeted segmentation by speed regime, work zone type, and crash type to identify context-specific risk factors. In addition, a fuzzy cluster analysis is utilized to discern …