Government of Japan

Purpose The purpose of this study is to reveal how the urban market for off-grid energy production in the hybrid domain developed in the Indian context and to critically reflect on this phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach The authors explore hybrid infrastructure for electricity supply in the Global South, with a focus on Bangalore, India. The authors conduct a case study to reveal how diffusion of off-grid solutions offered by a social enterprise – which was originally set up to provide off-grid solutions to poor rural communities – went from rural into more affluent urban users. Findings The hybrid domain develops through the engagement of proactive and savvy urban users interacting with socially minded corporate entrepreneurs to deliver customised off-grid technological solutions. Unlike rural users, urban users have broader societal interests and missions. These interactions allow the social enterprise to develop new capabilities and design off-grid solutions that meet technical, ethical, pedagogical and financial requirements in urban niches that may eventually spill-over back into rural areas. Research limitations/implications The work is based on one case, which limits the generalisability of findings. It provides off-grid energy and infrastructure researchers with new themes and directions for research on the hybrid domain for energy provision where both the modern infrastructure ideal and the making-do improvisation model no longer fit. Practical implications The study provides insights into how social enterprises offering off-grid solutions can expand into new market niches, the factors that encourage this and the capabilities required. It also highlights potential downsides to the non-state model that should be addressed in policy. Social implications Urban users struggling with unreliable centralised energy provision can draw help from social enterprises by communicating mission-oriented motivations for adopting off-grid technology on top of the core need. This may translate into improved capabilities in social enterprises that are also offering services to poor rural communities. Originality/value Uncovers overlooked mechanisms by which off-grid technology originally intended for poorer rural areas can be diffused into richer urban areas.

Background/Objectives: With the globalization of companies, the cross-cultural adjustment of expatriates working overseas is becoming an increasingly important topic. However, little research has been carried out on the brain, which is the source of the ability to adapt. Methods: Therefore, we conducted a pilot study on 10 expatriates working for Japanese local subsidiaries in the United States to analyze the relationship between their gray matter volume (GMV) measured by the Gray Matter Brain Healthcare Quotient and their cross-cultural adjustment and lifestyle. Results: As a result, in a partial correlation analysis controlled for demographic variables, there was a significant correlation between whole-brain GMV and general adjustment. A relationship was also shown between the local GMV of the default mode network and central executive network and interaction adjustment. Conclusions: This is the first pilot study to clarify the relationship between expatriates' brain structure and cross-cultural adjustment, suggesting the effectiveness of a biological approach in cross-cultural adjustment research.

Multiple behavior change interventions have gained traction in the behavioral health space. Yet, previous studies on health coaching (HC) focused on testing its effect on stages of change for individual health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of HC on stages of change across multiple health behavior domains among patients at high risk of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial included 200 primary care patients (mean age of 47.7 years, 49.0% women, 60.5% Whites) who completed transtheoretical model-based questionnaires related to weight reduction, exercise, healthier eating, and stress management. Multigroup latent transition analysis was used to compare the stage of change distributions and transitions over time between HC and controls at baseline, midpoint of the intervention (3 months), and postintervention (6 months). Three distinct categories of behavior change were identified ("Contemplation," "Preparation to Action," and "Action"), and membership in these categories changed over time as a function of intervention exposure. Both groups exhibited positive transitions through stages of change from baseline to 3 months. Pronounced intervention effects emerged from 3 to 6 months, revealing larger differences in transition probabilities between the groups. In particular, HC increased patients' likelihood of transitioning from "Contemplation" to both "Preparation for Action" and "Action," as well as from "Preparation for Action" to "Action." The control group remained stagnant during the same period. Although HC produces changes across multiple behavioral domains, it was most effective for patients who were reluctant or ambivalent about changing their behaviors.

The contents of this document constitute a high-level summary of technical advice provided by the staff of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to the authorities of a member country or international agency (the "CD recipient") in response to their request for capacity development. Unless the CD recipient specifically objects within 30 business days of its transmittal, the IMF will publish this high-level summary on IMF.org (see Staff Operational Guidance on the Dissemination of Capacity Development Information).