The politics of the Netherlands take place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy, a constitutional monarchy, and a decentralised unitary state. The Netherlands is described as a consociational state. Dutch politics and governance are characterised by a common striving for broad consensus on important issues, within both of the political community and society as a whole.
Pedestrian safety is a critical concern in urban environments, particularly with the increasing presence of automated vehicles (AVs) on the roads. Because of the unpredictable movement of pedestrians, a significant challenge lies in the limited understanding of factors contributing to pedestrian–AV collisions. This study addresses this gap by analyzing pedestrian crashes involving AVs using association rules mining (ARM). Data, including crash reports from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, comprised 46 pedestrian crashes involving AVs, categorized by precrash mode: autonomous mode (24 crashes) and conventional mode (22 crashes). The ARM algorithm was employed to uncover significant relationships and patterns in the crash data. A total of 67 association rules were generated across three distinct scenarios—intersections, within 150 ft of intersections, and midblock locations—revealing key associations between factors such as time of day, location, vehicle and pedestrian behavior, and environmental conditions. The study’s findings offer valuable insights into pedestrian safety in the context of precrash modes of AVs and provide important guidance for developing targeted safety measures and policies to reduce pedestrian–AV collisions.
PurposeCompanies certified under the Authorised Economic Operator Program (AEO) typically receive priority in customs control and access to additional trade facilitation when crossing borders. However, the cost-effectiveness of obtaining certification, such as AEO, remains unclear. Many companies do not participate because the benefits are neither clearly measured nor well defined. This research aims to examine the primary motivations driving companies to join the programme and evaluates operators’ perceptions of its effects. The research instrument was developed based on literature concerning ISO standards. Design/methodology/approachThe methodology combined quantitative and qualitative methods, structured in four stages: (i) a survey of certified companies to identify internal and external motivations; (ii) interviews with experts during the AEO World Customs Organisation Conference; (iii) a seminar with representatives from the private sector, consultants and the Brazilian Customs administration; and (iv) a focus group involving the customs authority, consultants and representatives of certified companies. FindingsThe results indicate that motivations are linked to recognition as a secure operator, image enhancement, risk reduction and strengthening the culture of compliance. However, the perceptions reveal that not all expectations are met, especially regarding competitiveness, cost reduction and market share. Practical implicationsFor companies, this study enhances understanding of the factors influencing AEO membership and may assist in evaluating the attractiveness of potential new members. For governments, the findings offer a strong justification for strengthening the programme. This research may affect society by providing a rationale for participation in the AEO programme. Originality/valueThe analysis, grounded in organisational isomorphism, shows that coercive, mimetic and normative institutional pressures shape motivations and perceptions. However, this study offers a new perspective on the interconnected concepts of the iron cage and institutional theory by providing a positive reinterpretation of the theoretical framework. AEO certification promotes organisational similarity, enhances supply chain predictability and demonstrates improvements in process efficiency.
Having adequate housing is integral for reentry success and reduced recidivism after release from prison. While it is clear that incarcerated people experience numerous problems in maintaining housing, and that many individuals are homeless after release, we know little about the extent in which housing conditions are impacted by the length of time individuals stay in a jail or prison. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating the dose-response relationship between incarceration length and a variety of housing outcomes in the Netherlands. Using a comprehensive array of pre-incarceration covariates on multiple life domains from Statistics Netherlands, propensity score stratification is used to examine the dose–response relationship between incarceration length and whether individuals have a place to live after release, whether they are living with others, the quality of the neighborhoods they are living in, and the stability of their housing situation up to one year after release. Data are used from individuals released in 2017, 2018 and 2019 after their first incarceration in a Dutch jail or prison (N = 18,884). Our findings suggest that length of incarceration (up to two years) does not have relevant effects on finding a place to live within the first year after release nor housing quality. However, the stability of housing conditions seem to be worse for individuals who had longer stays in jails or prison. Results underscore the disruptive effects of incarceration and by focusing on housing outcomes, this study contributes to the growing line of work that shows how incarceration impacts reintegration through multiple life domains.
We empirically investigate how rent control combined with the use of a non-market allocation mechanism - centralised waiting lists - affects the efficiency of housing allocation among public-housing tenants. We show that, on average, Dutch public-housing tenants consume a house whose value differs by 7.5% from what they would consume under an efficient allocation. This entails particularly large transfers in housing consumption from younger households to older households. The annual welfare loss arising from misallocation within the public-housing sector is modest, estimated at around 65 per tenant.
Breast cancer (BC) is the primary cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally, including within the Caribbean Region. This burden of disease underscores the critical need for effective breast cancer screening (BCS) programs yet implementation of BCS varies greatly among Caribbean countries. This study presents a comparative analysis of the similarities, differences, and opportunities of BCS programmes and their implementation on six Caribbean islands to subsequently use the so-called AAAQ-model to evaluate aspects of the programmes more in-depth. This mixed-methods study combined quantitative and qualitative data from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Guadeloupe, Jamaica and Sint Maarten – Caribbean islands with different languages (Dutch, Papiamentu, French and English), colonial histories, and governing structures (independent states, affiliated territories or special municipalities of continental European countries). Data was gathered from published and grey literature, input from stakeholders and two discussion sessions. Five of six islands have implemented BCS programs, with clinical breast examinations or mammography. Participation in BCS is free of charge. Start of the programs and age-ranges varied. The target population is reached by invitations by mail and social media. Three islands conduct extensive BCS promoting communication campaigns annually in October. Cultural contextual factors influencing screening uptake and implementation included a limited health-seeking culture, and high turnover of BCS health providers. Lower inclusion of women with limited health literacy, lower education levels, lower socioeconomic status, fear for mammography discomfort or cancer and geographical hurdles were recognized as possibly contributing to lower participation in BCS. Similarities and differences between the BCS programs in the six Caribbean islands were identified, suggesting that exchange of good practices in the Caribbean could play an important role in improving BCS programs. A role of history and (post-)colonial transatlantic relations in shaping contemporary health systems was recognized. Multilateral communication and knowledge transfer between the islands and continental European countries can resolve these differences and stimulate best screening practice.
