ABSTRACT

With the continuous development of society, global politics, economy, and culture are increasingly transcending national and regional boundaries, exhibiting a trend of integration. Since the reform and opening of China, especially following the return of Hong Kong and Macao, cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao has deepened significantly. This has resulted in notable improvements in the economic strength and regional competitiveness of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Both national and local governments have prioritized the implementation of social development programs in the GBA, introducing various measures to ensure their successful execution. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of social development implementation in the GBA, focusing on four key dimensions: education, health, social security, and employment. Three groups of participants, implementers, stakeholders, and citizens—were involved to assess both the extent of program implementation and engagement. The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods research approach, consisting of two phases: quantitative and qualitative. Data were collected through online surveys completed by personnel from GBA government departments, including planners, implementers of the social development plan, and selected urban residents. The research sought to identify the main factors affecting stakeholder participation in social development programs and to propose measures to enhance the implementation of these programs. The results served as the basis for formulating the study’s output: A proposed plan of action to improve social development implementation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Keywords: Action plan, education, employment, extent of engagement, extent of implementation, health, improvement social development programs
https://doi.org/10.57180/octt5067