Bureaucratic Processes Research Articles

The Nexus Between “Village” Banking Model & Women’s Financial Inclusion in Zambia

This study explores the relationship between the ‘Village’ (cooperative microcredit) Banking Model and the financial inclusion of women in Zambia, using the AFRIZAM CO-OPERATIVE as a case study. Multiple regression and correlational analyses were employed as quantitative approaches, while the thematic analysis, elucidated via the saturation strategy, constituted the qualitative approach. The study employed a mixed-method approach, with a sample size of 109 individuals. Findings indicate that co-operative society models significantly promote financial inclusion among women in Zambia. Specifically, savings, access to credit and social capital indicate that holding other factors constant, a 1% increase in each variable significantly increases financial inclusion by 25.5%, 28.1% and 44.3%, respectively. Among the challenges that hinder the financial inclusion of women at Afri-Zam, the study revealed that administrative inefficiencies and inadequate policy support persistently hinder the optimal financial inclusion of women. To mitigate these challenges and augment financial inclusion prospects, the study recommends policy actions that include strengthening savings initiatives among village banking microcredit institutions, enhancing access to credit among women, building and leveraging social capital, addressing administrative inefficiencies by streamlining bureaucratic processes and continuing financial literacy campaigns among women, among others.

Using data from routine health information systems as a public good in Trinidad and Tobago.

This study aimed to explore the use of data from routine health information systems (RHIS) as a public good in Trinidad and Tobago, the challenges faced in doing this and opportunities for strengthening the health information system. For this descriptive qualitative study, purposive sampling was utilized to recruit 19 people who used or produced RHIS data. Online interviews were conducted via Zoom, and all interviews were recorded and transcribed. Pseudonyms were used to protect participants' identity. Transcripts were cleaned and analyzed using Dedoose (v. 9.0.17; Dedoose, Los Angeles, CA, USA). There was significant underutilization of RHIS data as a public good, primarily due to challenges related to data access and quality. Access to the data was stymied by burdensome bureaucratic processes, paper-based recording and storage systems, and ownership and security concerns. Data quality was adversely affected by a lack of standardized data collection forms and processes, staff training, data completeness, and also by technological and infrastructural constraints. Key opportunities for increasing the use of Trinidad and Tobago's RHIS data would include addressing the need for a national electronic health information system, ensuring adequate training for staff involved in data management, and developing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan. Data quality and access must be improved to enable greater use of RHIS data as a public good in Trinidad and Tobago. The planned change from a paper-based to a national electronic data recording and storage system must be expedited, and it should be accompanied by the standardization of processes, and investments in adequate staffing and timely training. Appropriate technological and infrastructural support, as well as an improved data governance system, are also required.

Evaluation of a strategic academic-government partnership to advance COVID-19 clinical practice guidelines access and uptake in South Africa

IntroductionAcademic–government partnerships are important to advance timely, responsive and relevant evidence for decision-making (policy, guideline, law and regulation) deliberations. Deliberate and strategic integrated knowledge translation (KT) approaches within such partnerships...

The Urgency of Notary Deed in Supporting Sustainable Economic Growth in Riau

This research aims to investigate and analyze the creation of a conducive business climate using notary deed in Riau. The results show that notary deed play a central role in creating a stable and attractive business environment for sustainable economic growth through interviews and documentation, including maximizing Nvivo 12 Plus analysis for data coding. In this context, business transactions become legally valid with notary deed to increase confidence in investing and conducting business. Even though the concept is essential in increasing legal certainty and creating a conducive business climate, several challenges are faced in the implementation, including awareness and education, cost and time, bureaucratic processes, and changing regulations.

Continuing personhood and the increasing bureaucratisation of death: ‘My dad doesn’t need electricity in heaven’

Bureaucracy has been a core sociological concern since the discipline’s inception. While sociologists have explored the impact of bureaucracy on many areas of social life (from work to immigration policy), less is known about how bereaved individuals navigate the bureaucracy of death. After a loved one dies a range of time-consuming and time-sensitive hidden bureaucratic tasks must be completed – such as notifying officials and managing the estate – across public, private and third sector organisations. How do individuals experience and navigate such bureaucracy at a time of extreme sadness and vulnerability? Drawing on data from a qualitative study on death administration, this article explores people’s encounters with bureaucratic processes after bereavement. The article illuminates the challenging nature and ultimate failure of bureaucratic procedures in death administration. Such procedures create insensitivity around issues of personhood, often compounding emotional distress and vulnerability. Our analysis illuminates the ways in which this can lead to the operation of bureaucratic violence, a specific type of domination in which citizen subjectivities are affected by abstract rules and hostile organisational structures. By shedding light on death administration processes the article extends sociological understandings of bureaucracy and offers an innovative contribution to literature on grief.

HARNESSING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO ADDRESS RISING INSECURITY, INEFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE AND ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers transformative potential in addressing some of the most pressing global challenges: rising insecurity, ineffective governance (kakistocracy), and economic downturns. AI’s ability to analyze vast datasets, predict outcomes, and optimize processes positions it as a critical tool for mitigating the impacts of these complex issues. In the realm of security, AI enhances threat detection and prevention through predictive policing, real-time surveillance, and cybersecurity solutions. Tools like machine learning algorithms and anomaly detection systems can proactively identify and neutralize threats ranging from terrorism to cyberattacks. In governance, AI-driven technologies can improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency by automating bureaucratic processes and enabling data-driven policymaking. Block chain-integrated AI systems, for example, ensure tamper-proof public transactions, reducing corruption and inefficiency in public administration. Meanwhile, economic downturns can be mitigated using AI’s predictive capabilities, which allow early identification of financial crises, and its role in optimizing automation can boost productivity and streamline recovery efforts. However, deploying AI is not without risks. Issues such as bias, privacy infringements, and the centralization of power must be carefully addressed to avoid unintended consequences, such as exacerbating inequalities or enabling authoritarianism. This paper explores the multifaceted applications of AI in these contexts, underscoring its promise and the necessity for robust ethical and regulatory frameworks to guide its implementation. Through balanced integration, AI can serve as a powerful ally in navigating global insecurity, governance challenges, and economic instability.

The impact of innovation governance and policies on government funding for emerging science and technology sectors in Saudi Arabia

This study examines the impact of innovation governance and policies on government funding for emerging science and technology sectors in Saudi Arabia, addressing key bureaucratic, regulatory, and cultural barriers. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates qualitative insights from stakeholder interviews with quantitative survey data to provide a comprehensive under-standing of the current innovation landscape. Findings indicate a high level of policy awareness among stakeholders but reveal significant challenges in practical implementation due to bureaucratic inefficiencies and stringent regulations. Cultural barriers, such as a risk-averse mindset and traditional business practices, further impede innovation. Successful initiatives like the National Transformation Program (NTP) demonstrate the potential for well-coordinated efforts, highlighting the importance of regulatory reform and cultural shifts towards entrepreneurship. Strategic recommendations include streamlining bureaucratic processes, enhancing policy coordination, and fostering a culture of innovation through education and stakeholder engagement. This study contributes to the existing literature by offering actionable insights to enhance innovation governance, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.

“They are trying their best”: incarcerated individuals’ assessment of general healthcare services in selected Ghanaian prisons

BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that the absence of prison health poses a threat to public health, making it important to safeguard access to quality healthcare for incarcerated populations. Although several studies have explored the quality of care in prisons, there is a dearth of empirical evidence on the perspectives of incarcerated individuals. This study investigated incarcerated individuals’ perspectives and opinions on the general healthcare services in Ghanaian prisons.MethodsUtilizing a qualitative approach, focus group discussions were conducted with 51 incarcerated individuals in five prisons sited in the Northern, Middle and Southern zones of Ghana. Thematic analysis following the tradition of Braun and Clarke was conducted. Four of the six constructs of the WHO Health Systems Framework – service delivery, health workforce, access to essential medicines, and leadership and guidance – were applied deductively to organise the data into themes and subthemes.ResultsFour themes were generated from the analysis: “Health service delivery”, “Health workforce in prisons”, “Access to essential medicines” and “Leadership; regulating healthcare services”. Participants rated health services in prisons as below average compared to those available to the general population. The use of nurses as prescribers in prison infirmaries, though consistent with Ghana Health Service policy, seems to negatively influence prisoners’ perceptions of the quality of the health workforce in prisons. Lack of basic equipment and essential medications at the infirmary for common endemic conditions such as malaria coupled with the bureaucratic processes required to access care outside of the prison also negatively affected incarcerated individuals’ perceptions of the quality of health care.ConclusionsIncarcerated individuals perceived that the quality of health services provided in prisons was inferior to that provided in the general population. Addressing challenges associated with the unavailability of essential drugs and equipment, improving the number of health staff, and addressing bottlenecks in accessing urgent care will enhance the experiences of incarcerated populations on the quality of care given.

EXPLORING DEBT FINANCING OPTION FOR SME’S : A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

The development and success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are highly dependent on accessible and suitable financing options. This article provides an in-depth review of various SME financing sources, examining the benefits, drawbacks, and impacts of each option, including fintech lending, traditional bank financing, and venture capital. The findings offer a systematic understanding of SME finance dynamics. Results indicate that while venture capital can accelerate growth, it often raises challenges related to sustainability and governance. In contrast, bank financing provides stability but is hindered by high interest rates and complex bureaucratic processes. Fintech financing offers rapid access and ease but comes with heightened security and risk assessment concerns. The study suggests that SMEs should align funding choices with their unique needs and characteristics. Additionally, regulators and stakeholders are encouraged to increase their knowledge and safeguards in response to the expanding fintech lending market. Future research could explore innovative, eco-friendly financing solutions to meet SMEs' evolving needs. This article contributes valuable insights to stakeholders, supporting the sustainable growth of SMEs. Keywords: SME Financing; Debt Financing; Fintech Lending; Bank Financing; Venture Capital

Field survey for assessing seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) applications on very small islands in Indonesia

Very small islands in Indonesia face challenges in accessing clean water due to limited space for building water resource facilities, such as reservoirs. Most of the time, the inhabitants of these islands rely on rainwater and wells, which are not sustainable sources due to drought seasons and seawater intrusion. To address this issue, Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) can be implemented in these areas where seawater is abundant. However, there may be obstacles when applying SWRO systems in such environments. This study aimed to assess the capabilities of SWRO facilities, and the obstacles involved in evaluating clean water access on very small islands. We used a combination of structured questionnaires, interviews, and direct observations on two small islands in Indonesia, Belakang Padang Island and Labu Island. On Belakang Padang Island, we interviewed the water resource manager in October 2022 and March 2023 and surveyed 61 households in the Tanjung Sari subdistrict in October 2022. On Labu Island, we interviewed the staff of the SWRO system and surveyed 35 coastal households in September 2023. On both islands, the government improved residents’ access to clean water by constructing SWRO facilities in 2016 on Belakang Padang Island and in 2021 on Labu Island. However, on Belakang Padang Island, the system was not operational when we visited on March 15, 2023. The main obstacles were slow bureaucratic processes for repairs and maintaining the operation of SWRO facilities. These problems need to be addressed before expanding the implementation of this system to other very small islands in Indonesia.

A INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICAL COMO FERRAMENTA DE EFICIÊNCIA NA ADMINISTRAÇÃO PÚBLICA

The article “Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Efficiency in Public Administration” explores the growing role of AI in optimizing government operations and improving the delivery of public services. Focusing on AI’s capabilities to process and analyze large volumes of data, the article discusses how this technology can be used to enhance efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness in government services. The text highlights several key applications of AI in public administration, including large-scale data analysis and processing, automation of bureaucratic processes, and customization of services to citizens. These technologies, equipped with machine learning and natural language processing, enable better resource management, faster citizen service, and more efficient operations less susceptible to human errors. Beyond the benefits, the article also addresses the challenges associated with implementing AI in the public sector, such as technical, ethical, and privacy issues. Concerns about algorithmic bias, data quality, and integration with legacy systems are discussed in detail. The article emphasizes the need for robust policies and adequate training for public employees as essential for successful AI integration. Finally, the discussion concludes with the view that while AI has the potential to significantly transform public administration for the better, a careful and regulated approach is vital. The success of this integration depends not only on technological advancements but also on a commitment to ethical practices and the development of public policies that guide its responsible use.

Mixed-methods to explore barriers to the use of food security initiatives in a historically black college and university (HBCU)

BackgroundTo assess students’ use and perception of the initiatives to tackle food insecurity (FI) in a Texas historically black college and university (HBCU).MethodsHBCU students > 18 years (288 students). A mixed-methods approach involving an online survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted among the students and major stakeholders to evaluate the prevalence of FI, and gain insights into the challenges to accessing, utilizing and effectively implementing food security (FS) initiatives.ResultsFI affected 63.5% of the participants. The awareness and utilization of the food pantry were 27.9% and 8.1% respectively while for the meal share programs, awareness and utilization were 30.1% and 15.0%, respectively. A significant association was found between FI and the place of residence (p = 0.027). Binary logistic regression model showed that students’ school year was a predictor of food pantry awareness (p < 0.05), residence and FI status were predictors of the meal share program utilization (p < 0.05). Five themes, including poor awareness and visibility of campus resources, bureaucratic process and logistics, insufficient funds, personnel and other resources to run the initiatives, ineffective communication, and stigma due to location emerged as the main barriers to the use of the resources.ConclusionsThis study emphasizes the necessity for HBCUs to address these hurdles in order to successfully help students in need with FI resources.

Effectiveness, efficiency, and equity in jurisdictional REDD+ benefit distribution mechanisms: Insights from Jambi province, Indonesia

The jurisdictional REDD+ (JREDD+) mechanism, aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, has been crucial in global climate change mitigation efforts. However, designing effective, efficient, and equitable benefit-distribution policy at the site level remains a challenge. This research assesses three benefit distribution mechanisms in Indonesia for JREDD+ initiatives, facilitated by the Indonesian Environment Fund (IEF). They include: (1) distribution through the provincial revenue and expenditure budget (APBD), (2) distribution through intermediary institutions (LEMTARA), and (3) direct distribution or transfer to beneficiaries. Each mechanism is evaluated on effectiveness, efficiency, and equity, considering bureaucratic processes and stakeholder capacities. The study utilizes public deliberation by involving relevant stakeholders at the national and Jambi province levels and expert judgment by purposively selecting based on certain criteria to help determine the optimal mechanism as the reference for achieving Indonesia's climate mitigation goals and the administrative intricacies involved. The findings suggest that direct distribution to beneficiaries is the most efficient and equitable, although using LEMTARA is deemed slightly more effective for targeted fund allocation. The study provides recommendations for policy makers on enhancing institutional capacities and integrating flexible inclusive mechanisms to optimize JREDD+ benefit distribution at the sub-national level.

Everyday practices of administrative ambiguation and the labour of de-ambiguation: Struggling for water infrastructure in Mumbai

In this paper, we use the notion of administrative precarity to refer to the vulnerability and insecurity experienced by marginalised and disadvantaged groups as a result of their interactions with ambiguous administrative procedures. Using the example of water infrastructure administration in Mumbai, specifically the experiences of ‘Pani Haq Samiti’– the ‘Right to Water campaign’– we formulate how administrative precarity and infrastructural violence intersect in transcalar practices of ambiguation in urban governance. We build on a nascent set of literature that illustrates how ambiguity in administrative processes is used as a tactic to avoid or deny the impacts of bureaucratic process of water and sanitation governance in Mumbai. We work through several examples of the ambiguous practices and paperwork involved in implementing the universal right to water in urban Mumbai with a specific focus on the challenges in non-notified slums. We demonstrate that the practices of ambiguation, are often entrenched in everyday interactions between citizens or activists and administrators on the ground. In enabling the continued withholding of water infrastructure these ambiguous bureaucracies create an administrative precarity and are thus constitutive to persistent infrastructural violence against marginalised groups. We show that everyday practices of activists and administrators provoke the labours of de-ambiguation as a pre-requisite to the implementation of infrastructural solutions to achieve the ‘Right to Water’ under administrative precarity. We call for more research on everyday practices of (de-)ambiguation, including highlighting the potentially transformative role that urban scholarship may take to support the labour of de-ambiguation.

Work-related impacts on doctors’ mental health: a qualitative study exploring organisational and systems-level risk factors

BackgroundProtecting doctors’ mental health has typically focused on individuals, rather than addressing organisational and structural-level factors in the work environment.ObjectivesThis study uses the socioecological model (SEM) to illuminate and explore...

National Borders among Families: Removal and ‘Bare Life’ in India

This paper is about the state-driven process of ‘migrant ‘illegality’ (Genova 2002) and its impact on the life of Bengali speaking residents in the Assam state of India. While the movement of people across borders between India and present-day Bangladesh has been historical and complex, this ethnographic work explores how the state-driven process of migrant illegality and the production of ‘bare life’ have disrupted intimate relations and family life among the migrant population in Assam. While the recent NRC (National Register of Citizens) update in Assam identified 1.9 million people as illegal migrants, there has been bureaucratic enactment of ‘migrant illegality’ by Assam Border Police for the last several years. The institutional procedures, court documents and narratives of the select cases of ‘detected’ as well as ‘detained’ residents from ethnographic fieldwork reveal how the absence of formal papers and errors in the family records, kinship relations and property inheritance among the poor migrant families transforms actual citizens to ‘illegal migrants’ in the bureaucratic manoeuvring and reduces them to their ‘bare life’. The paper also shows how prejudice, arbitrariness, and contradictions feed into the bureaucratic process and lead to intense crises among family units, as several migrant families have both Indians and alleged ‘Bangladeshis’ in their homes today. The paper argues that the major consequence of this state-driven ‘migrant illegality’ in the last two decades has been the creation of national borders among families, unsettling intimate relations and shared spaces.

Measures to increase the retention of migrant healthcare professionals in Germany

Abstract Background The shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare sector is a pressing issue in Germany that has been worsening in recent years. It is often compensated by the deployment of specialists from abroad. However, this is accompanied by various challenges. This article synthesizes challenges from nine years of research and proposes approaches to solutions that have proven successful in practice in Germany as well as in international settings. Methods The insights presented here condense the results from a total of six research projects (four on physicians and two on nursing). The research projects are based on exploratory qualitative interviews, quantitative questionnaires, mixed-methods designs, and the generation and testing of measures that can help with the integration of foreign skilled workers. Results The main challenges for migrated skilled workers are inadequate language and communication skills, lack of knowledge about the national healthcare system, disease and therapy concepts, unfamiliar forms of inter-hierarchical and inter-professional collaboration, a lack of understanding of administrative and bureaucratic processes and social integration. The following measures have proven successful in Germany and abroad: increasing social integration of physicians (e.g. through partner or peer programs), streamlining systems, establishing professional structures for the integration of foreign skilled workers, and creating a positive work environment. Conclusions Compared to findings from international studies, in Germany the hurdles of administrative processes, the peculiarities of the healthcare system (e.g. social medicine), and learning the language are considered to be the highest. It is important to counteract these challenges with appropriate measures in order to prevent a migration of healthcare professionals already in Germany to (mostly English-speaking) foreign countries. Key messages • In Germany the hurdles of administrative processes, the peculiarities of the German healthcare system (e.g. social medicine), and learning the German language are considered to be the highest. • It should be considered to no longer leave the migration of healthcare staff to individual integration efforts, but to create appropriate government structures that focus on their social integration.

Prisión Preventiva en Chile: Presión de la Gestión del Tiempo y Estandarización

The use of pre-trial detention in Chile is widely debated. Chilean legal scholars, for the most part, have advocated a restrictive interpretation. Despite this, empirical research studies on the use of pre-trial detention in Chile has revealed an increase in its use during the last decade and the development of standardized working strategies in judicial decision-making in this institution. To date, we lack in-depth analysis of the practice of this standardization and its specific relationship to pre-trial detention decisions. Based on non-participant observation of hearings and interviews with judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys in courts in the Araucanía and Bio-Bio regions, this article presents an empirical analysis of the application of pre-trial detention in Chile. In particular, how does the standardization of judicial practices influence the way decisions on pre-trial detention are made in Chile? The research study focused on the bureaucratic management of time from a socio-legal perspective. It finds that, in the face of time pressures, courts have adopted specific strategies to organize hearings, generating different types of hearings, each with its own speed and logic of standardization. The article emphasizes the need for a detailed and empirical exploration of the processes of bureaucratization within the judicial system and the tangible impacts these processes have on the fairness of access to justice.

IDENTIFIKASI FAKTOR DAN TANTANGAN DI SEKTOR PERUNGGASAN UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KELINCAHAN BISNIS DI AGROINDUSTRI INDONESIA: TINJAUAN LITERATUR

The poultry industry in Indonesia, especially the poultry sector, plays a crucial role in ensuring national food security by providing essential animal protein sources. Therefore, business agility is highly necessary to address fluctuating demand issues that can change unpredictably. Many industries in this sector have faced setbacks due to unforeseen shifts in demand. However, in implementing business agility, numerous factors need consideration, such as traditional organizational structures, bureaucratic processes that impede change, and a corporate culture resistant to transformation. This research aims to identify various challenges faced by companies in achieving business agility through a literature review using Publish or Perish software and manual searches on Google Scholar, resulting in the selection and analysis of 23 relevant journals. The findings from the literature review indicate that effective supply chain management, innovative management leadership, technological automation, adaptability to unforeseen events, investment in employee development, and a deep understanding of customer needs are key factors influencing business agility in the poultry industry in Indonesia.

Beyond papers: understanding the making of citizenship in the Foreigners’ Tribunals of Assam

ABSTRACT This paper questions the hyper fixation on papers in producing citizens or proving citizenship, arguing that not papers but the agglomeration of legal, bureaucratic and social processes produce citizenship in Assam’s Foreigners’ Tribunals (FTs). Based on ethnographic fieldwork with members (presiding over cases), lawyers, border police officials and victims of citizenship examination processes, this paper shows that citizenship cannot be easily proved or disproved based on the possession or absence of papers, as the ‘truth’ about one’s citizenship is produced equally outside these courts. One’s citizenship status inside the court depends on a series of procedural, documentary and certificatory correlations accompanied by social performances (testimonies from family and community members). This is contingent on the truth produced outside through the suspicion of being a ‘foreigner’, easily cast in terms of one’s physical appearance, social class, religion and language. Community structures outside courts also enable certain groups to be documented easily, aiding the production of the legal truth required inside for establishing citizenship status. Therefore, the way suspicion is informed and legal technicalities are deployed to generate information and knowledge along with the role of family and community social networks all contribute towards establishing one as a citizen or a ‘foreigner’.