Competent Government Research Articles

Pandemic and Partisan Polarisation: Voter Evaluation of UK Government Handling During Covid-19.

What is the effect of pandemics on partisan perceptions of government competence? Taking the case of Covid‐19 in the UK, we explore how voters’ assessments of the government’s handling of the economy and health were affected by four events: the first UK Covid‐19 death; the national lockdown; Boris Johnson’s hospitalisation; and Cummings’ scandal. Using a large representative weekly survey in the last year totalling over around 30’000 respondents, our results show that Labour voters had the worst assessments of government handling. The first death deteriorated perceptions of government handling of health among both Labour and Conservative voters, while Boris Johnson’s hospitalisation improved perceptions among most voters. Lockdown improved the perception of health handling but at the cost of more negative perceptions of its handling of the economy. The Cummings scandal had a negative effect on perceptions of government handling of economy but surprisingly improved perceptions of its handling of health.

The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Support for the SNP and Scottish Independence

The retrospective model of voting holds that parties are elected based on their perceived competence in government, and punished for incompetence. This theory is complicated in contexts of multilevel governance as it requires attributing responsibility for policy outcomes to a particular party in a particular level of government. This note tests the extent to which the retrospective model of voting explains public opinion in a multilevel context (Scotland) and on a high-stakes valence issue (the coronavirus outbreak). Using British Election Study Internet Panel data, this note assesses how the public responded to the perceived competence of the two relevant levels of government in Scotland: Holyrood and Westminster. The results find that those voters who rated the Scottish Government’s handling of the pandemic most highly and previously liked the SNP were more likely to switch to supporting the SNP, but that the government’s pandemic handling had little effect on support for Scottish independence.

Derzhavne upravlinnia v Ukraini: strukturni zminy, problemy perekhodu do publichnoho upravlinnia

Today, Ukraine is in dire need of changes and reforms that would lead to the optimization and effective management of society and the state. One of such important reforms is the transition from state to public management, and further improvement of the foundations and principles of public management. In the management of the state, where complex processes of transition to public management are taking place, there have always been advanced trends of deepening and expanding publicity in the activities of government institutions. This is the path taken by the "old" countries of Western democracy, as well as the countries of the post-socialist camp, the Baltic republics, which today have successfully joined the EU. Ukraine must follow this path if it tries to become a civilized part of the world. Hence, the system of state management should change dramatically, when the most appropriate in the management structure is an organic combination and effective interaction of public government and local self-government. Even more, the efficiency of civil society itself in the management of public affairs and state structures of power is growing. Socio-economic development and social-power relations at the present stage are already experiencing more and more new changes, both positive and negative. They are becoming very important for the state and society. Being complex and ambiguous, such developments and relations require introduction at the legislative and political levels of new governance systems and structures, which would involve mandatory involvement of the most active representatives of civil society in governance. Note that the period of transition to public management is complex, full of various management problems, requires time and competence of politicians, government, NGOs and more. It is evolutionary in nature, when publicity in governance must develop, and representatives of the branches of government will try to solve the problem of governing the state and society competently, transparently, responsibly, flexibly, openly, socially justly, effectively for the benefit of man as the main social capital.

LEGALANALYSIS ON THE INTERDEPENDENT COMPETENCES BETWEEN STATE AGENCIES IN ENACT OF THE VOLUNTAR ARBITRATION LEGAL REGIME (A STUDY FROM TIMOR-LESTE GOVERNMENT)

The adoption of separation of power principles given by Montesqiu in governing the state in Timor-Leste is clearly granted by its 2002 Constitution. However, the debate on its interdependent competence in regard to the legislatif initiative and authority delegation to enact any regime remain doubted. Include in this study on these two major organs of executive lead by the government and the legislatif led by the parliament on its interdependent competence on enacting of the Voluntary Arbitration Legal Bill in Timor-Leste. Early this year, the Timor-Leste Government enacted a new Voluntary Arbitration Legal Bill aligned with passing a Government Resolution on the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Award (convention on the recognition and implementation of foreign Arbitration Awards). This Convention has been ratied by the Timor-Leste National Parliament through the Resolution number 3/V/2 dated 20 January 2021 concerning Timor-Leste's accession to the 1959 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. This study examined the interdependence on the separation of powers in a two dominant competence system which are the government with the competence of Delegation Authorities to initiate a legislation and the parliament with the attribution to enact a legal regime and more over to the political decision on proposed law of the Voluntary Arbitration Legal Bill. Hence, this study resume that, although the government competence attribute by the constitution were stipulated clearly in Timor-Leste Constitution in article 115 (3) such as its competence to has exclusive legislative competence on matters concerning its own organization and functioning, as well as on the direct and indirect administration of the State. Hence this competence provide authorities to propose and drafting any legal regime that matters to government concern only as authorized by the parliament only as compared to the article 96 point 1 line k) on legislatif authorities as well as article 97 point 1 line 3) on legislatif initiative which government hold the delegation authorized only by the parliament to initiate legislation and in regards to the general rules and regulations for the requisition and expropriation for public utility; furthermore to enact the Voluntary Arbitration Legal Regime for its citizens.

Improvement of Farmers 'Competency for Agriculture Progress

The success of the agricultural sector is determined by a strong agricultural system, the use of appropriate agricultural tools, and the competence of farmers in running agricultural systems and equipment effectively. The analysis found that 65.2 percent of farmers in Indonesia have primary school education, and 64.2 percent are over 45 years old. Low education, and the age of farmers who are dominated by parents are obstacles in advancing the agricultural sector in Indonesia. The contribution of the agricultural sector in national development is high, but the welfare of farmers is still low due to the lack of mastery of agricultural techniques, lack of ability to face climate change, and low mastery of marketing networks. Various efforts have been made to improve the competence of farmers, both government and private. Although various obstacles have yet to be resolved in improving farmer competence, the spirit of developing agriculture is still a priority.

The Cadre System in China’s Ethnic Minority Regions: Particularities and Impact on Local Governance

ABSTRACT The cadre system in China is designed to reduce human error as well as improve government efficiency and competence. Focusing on the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), this research analyses the particularities of the cadre system in China’s ethnic minority regions and their impact on local governance. It argues that peculiarities in the recruitment, evaluation, term of office and ethnic minority cadre arrangements have actively and passively encouraged controversial cadre behaviours at the local level. Together with the historical, political and demographic conditions in the TAR, the cadre system has, at times, decreased the efficiency, competence and credibility of local governments. Although changes have been introduced in recent years to address some of the issues, the cadre system’s impact on local governance remains fundamental.

Sustained Government Engagement Improves Subsequent Pandemic Risk Reporting In Conflict Zones

Community information sharing is crucial to a government’s ability to respond to a disaster or a health emergency, such as a pandemic. In conflict zones, however, citizens and local leaders often lack trust in state institutions and are unwilling to cooperate, risking costly delays and information gaps. We report results from a randomized experiment in the Philippines regarding government efforts to provide services and build trust with rural communities in a conflict-affected region. We find that the outreach program increased the probability that village leaders provide time-sensitive pandemic risk information critical to the regional Covid-19 Task Force by 20%. The effect is largest for leaders who, at baseline, were skeptical about government capacity and fairness and had neutral or positive attitudes towards rebels. A test of mechanisms suggests that treated leaders updated their beliefs about government competence and shows that neither security improvement nor project capture by the rebels are primary drivers. These findings highlight the important role that government efforts to build connections with conflict-affected communities can play in determining public health outcomes during times of national emergencies.

The role of trust in citizen acceptance of climate policy: Comparing perceptions of government competence, integrity and value similarity

This study examines the role of citizen trust in explaining climate policy support, using the case of low-carbon transportation policies in Canada – namely a carbon tax, electric vehicle purchase subsidies, and three regulations. Through a representative survey of 1,552 Canadian citizens collected in 2019, we assess: 1) support and opposition of policies, 2) trust in several key actors, and 3) other factors associated with policy support. The majority of respondents support purchase incentives and most regulations, whereas support is considerably lower for a carbon tax. Factor analysis identifies three different types of trust in key actors: competence, integrity, and value similarity. Fewer than 50% of respondents trust their national or provincial government regarding climate change issues in general or according to each type of trust. Regression analysis assesses the role of trust in policy support, while controlling for respondent values and demographic characteristics. Perceptions of national government “competence” is the only trust variable that is consistently positively associated with support for all five policies tested. Other forms of trust (integrity and value similarity) and trust in the provincial government are not consistently associated with policy support.

The implementation of optional powers of local self-government bodies in cities

The article characterizes the problems of implementation in cities of the right of local governments to address issues that are not related to issues of local importance. The topic is insufficiently studied and not well understood. The work attempts to determine the place and right of local governing bodies to address issues not related to local matters, within the competence of local governments, and the author explores the history of the legislative consolidation of the rights of local governments to resolve such issues. Accordingly, on the basis of the Federal Law of October 6, 2003 No. 131 “On the General Principles of Organizing Local Self-Government in the Russian Federation”, as well as analyzing the work of a number of scholars, the author classifies the powers exercised by the bodies and officials of local self-government depending on the areas within which these powers are exercised. In addition, the article provides a list of features that are characteristic of the right of local governments of cities to resolve issues. The conclusions reached by the author are correlated with the purpose of his research — to understand the legislative consolidation of the concept of “the rights of local governments of cities to solve issues not related to issues of local importance”. A deep theoretical study of this concept and the mechanism of its implementation is required, followed by a change in the above Federal Law.

Програмно-цільовий підхід як інструмент управління громадою

The article considers the theoretical foundations and practical aspects of the introduction of program-targeted approach in the management of the territorial community. Theoretical achievements, the existing domestic experience of application of the program-target approach to development of communities are generalized. The article considers the urgency of solving the problems of territorial communities by financing expenditures from local budgets. It is proved that the application of program-target planning in the context of structural reforms at the local level requires a high level of competence of local governments in the field of strategic management using a program-target approach. It is noted that it is important to clarify the content, criteria, performance indicators of program-targeted planning of local budget expenditures. The program-targeted approach best allows to identify and analyze existing problems in order to eliminate threats and risks in the process of developing and implementing strategic plans or programs for the development of local communities. Theoretical and practical aspects of the program-target method in the budget process of the community are considered, its role in the implementation of public administration is determined and measures to improve the efficiency of budget management are substantiated. The advantages of using the program-targeted budgeting method in Ukraine are shown. The program-target method is considered as a tool that provides planning and execution of the budget for the medium term. The main advantages of the program-target budgeting method are considered.

Die Kompetenzverteilung in der österreichischen Verfassung von 1934

Due to the authoritarian principle dominantly anchored in the constitution of 1934, federalism, which had still been prevalent in the previous constitution, was reduced – despite the designation ‘federal state’ for the new state system. Accordingly, a continuation of the tendency towards a centralisation of competences, which had already been evident in 1933, can be seen. Therefore, the competences of the federal government were strengthened, whereas the Länder were deprived of autonomy. At the same time, the system of competences was simplified and made more flexible. In reality, however, these provisions were overlaid by those of the Constitutional Transition Act, which made an unveiled chancellor dictatorship possible.

Effectiveness of Leadership, Management, and Governance Competencies for Performance Improvements at Primary Health Care Entities in Ethiopia: A Before and After Study

Leadership, management, and governance (LMG) interventions play a significant role in improving management systems, enhancing work climate, and creating responsive health systems. The Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health with the support of the USAID Transform: Primary Health Care Activity has been cascading basic LMG training and interventions to primary health care staff. The results of this research will help policymakers, program managers, and implementers to make informed decisions in the area of performance improvement. The study used an interventional, a before and after non-experimental survey design to assess the effectiveness of LMG trainings and interventions at primary health care entities. It was conducted from August 28, 2017, to September 30, 2018, in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ regions. Data collection took place through interviewer and self-administered questionnaires across 136 health facilities, in which there were 293 health workers who attended the basic LMG trainings and interventions. In addition, training records were reviewed to capture the changes in knowledge and skills through formal course tests before and after attending the basic LMG training and interventions to ascertain baseline and end-line scores on performance improvement project achievements. Furthermore, 333 non-trained health workers were given the opportunity to rate their organization’s leadership, management and governance culture before and after interventions. The data were analyzed using SSPS IBM V 20. The response rates were 100% for staff who attended the training; and 87% for staff who did not attend the training and who validated their organization’s LMG culture. Of those who attended the training, 235 (80.9%) scored 70% or more on post-test exams, and 252 (86%) scored 80% or more on their performance improvement project objectives. Using the above-mentioned criteria, composite scores were compiled from written post-test examination score and performance improvement project results. The result showed that 70% (205/293) of basic LMG trainees successfully completed the basic LMG course. As a result of the LMG trainings, management systems, work climate, and responsiveness of the health system to new challenges were significantly improved (p < 0.001). Owing to the leadership projects, within the 136 health facilities, an additional 2290.3 units of health service coverage was gained. Therefore, the basic LMG trainings and interventions were effective in enhancing the knowledge and skills of health workers. It is recommended that providing LMG trainings for more health workers and managers working at primary health care entities will accelerate the implementation of prioritized health sector interventions and is helpful in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals as a global target. An evaluation of the efficiency of the basic LMG training package is also recommended.

Trust, Coordination and Multi-level Arrangements: Lessons for a European Health Union

In the wake of the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis, the Swedish and Swiss governments adopted a similar policy approach. They enacted mostly non-binding measures to contain the epidemic, relying on the high level of interpersonal trust and trust in political institutions that exist in both of these (broadly comparable) countries to ensure compliance. However, unlike Sweden’s strategy, the Swiss policy response evolved during the early weeks of the “first wave”, achieving public health and socioeconomic results that have been considered as satisfactory, notwithstanding the complex institutional setting and policy process, the central location of Switzerland in continental Europe, its openness and its closeness with deeply affected regions in Italy and France. To shed light on this policy response and to draw lessons from it, this paper firstly discusses the role played by the new Swiss Epidemics Act. This law centralises decision-making capacity at the federal level and expands the competences of the central government, while leaving leeway to subnational units for implementation and recognising the need for increased international regulatory cooperation. Secondly, it shows how such a solution – a multi-level arrangement steered from the federal level with quite strong vertical and horizontal coordination mechanisms – could work as a blueprint for a European Health Union.

СКЛАДОВА МІГРАЦІЙНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ ЄС ЩОДО ІММІГРАНТІВ З ТРЕТІХ КРАЇН

EU migration policy aims to create a legal framework for legal labor migration, given the importance of integrating migrants into host communities. EU measures on legal immigration cover the conditions of entry and residence for certain categories of immigrants, such as highly skilled workers covered by the EU Blue Card Directive, as well as students and researches. A number of EU’s directives aimed at simplifying and harmonizing migration procedures, in particular the granting of clear employment rights to migrants, have been considered. The EU’s approaches to labor migration, which focus on addressing their integration into the community or the problem of illegal migration, such as the fight against trafficking of human beings and smugglers, are reveald. Although integration policy is defined and implemented mainly at national or subnational level, it is closely linked to the legal framework and EU provisions that grant certain rights to migrants living in the European Union (e.g. equal working conditions and equal access to goods and services). The European Union has adopted a number of EU non-discrimination laws that are important for the integration of third-country nationals, including Directive 2000/43/EU on racial equality and Directive 2000/78/EC on employment equality. The general principles of immigration integration policy are analyzed, such as: employment, education, access to institutions, goods and services and integration into society as a whole.The EU’s approaches to migration as «sustainable development» are considered, in particular, a comprehensive migration management agenda, which contains four items: better organization of legal migration and promotion of managed mobility; preventing and combating illegal migration and eradicating trafficking of human beings; promoting international protection and strengthening the external dimension of asylum; maximizing the impact of migration on sustainable development. It has been found out that the main directions of migration policy, which still needs to be improved in order to curb the scale of brain drain and skilled labor in the countries of origin, should include: concluding bilateral and multilateral agreements on ethical and balanced recruitment and training schemes; returning migration management for effective development in migrants’ countries of origin; promoting the transfer of skills, knowledge and remittances to diasporas (including social remittances). Summing up the content of the European Union’s migration policy towards immigrants from third countries, it is important to note that despite the large number of legal norms, the volume of labor migration is still regulated by each EU country, depending on its own needs and capabilities. Despite the fact that immigration mechanisms are standardized, the issue of admission to the sovereign territory remains in the competence of national governments. It is also important to emphasize that thereis a general prohibition of discrimination on the basis of nationality. Concerning third-country nationals, EU migration policy aims to create a legal framework for legal migration, taking full account of the importance of integrating migrant workers into host communities. EU measures on legal immigration cover the conditions of entry and residence for certain categories of immigrants, including highly skilled workers. It was found ound that immigrants from third countries have worse indicators in the labor market, in particular in terms of skills, quality of education, living conditions and so on. Most people born in the EU have the citizenship of the host country and use their right to vote in elections, which also affects the Union’s migration policy. In sum, EU policy of immigrants’ integration forsees target measures, in particular, in labor market, especially providing with proper educational, medical, social services, as well as their active participation in the cultural and political life of the host country.

What Factors Affect Financial Transparency Reports? A Study of Regional Government Financial Reports in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Purpose: This study aims to analyze and correlate the significant factors that support the financial report system in local government to be more transparent and accountable. Design/Methodology/Approach: The article analyzes the government apparatuses competence, organization commitment, standard operating procedures, and control system, which are measured by data collected from selected local government and are analyzed through SPPS software. The measurement of financial reports' availability is done through a system-based crosstab correlation technique that displays factors and indicators accordingly. It shows the significance of the correlation between each factor and indicator. The explanation of each factor and indicator is done through quantitative and qualitative research. Findings: The research found that two main significant factors support transparency and accountability: government competence apparatuses and organizational commitment. On the other hand, two factors are less significant, the standard operating procedures and control system. In terms of indicators, the most significant that supports transparency and accountability, namely government structure, and the weakest indicator is ICT because some do not explicitly use the website-based system's accessibility. Practical Implications: This paper is a scientific report and can be a policy recommendation to support the local government in achieving transparency and accountability and gaining unqualified opinion. Originality/Value: There is still a lack of research on developing a local government reporting system by measuring transparency and accountability towards those selected four factors. The value of this paper is to classify affecting factors on the financial reporting system to improve the accountability and transparency of local government.

Ownership competence

AbstractResearch SummaryOwnership is fundamental to firm strategy, organization, and governance. Standard ownership concepts—mainly derived from agency and incomplete contracting theories—focus on its incentive effects. However, these concepts and theories neglect ownership's role as an instrument to match judgment about resource use and governance with the firm's evolving environment under uncertainty. We develop the concept of ownership competence—the skill with which ownership is used as an instrument to create value—and decompose it into matching competence (whatto own), governance competence (howto own), and timing competence (whento own). We describe how property rights of use, appropriation, and transfer relate to the three ownership competences and show how our theory offers a fresh perspective into the role of ownership for value generation.Managerial SummaryBusiness owners own with different levels of competence, and differences in ownership competence matter for value creation. We argue that ownership competence consists of competence aboutwhatto own (matching competence), competence abouthowto own (governance competence), and competence aboutwhento own (timing competence). We clarify the role played by each of the three competences for value creation. We also show how the importance of ownership competence for value creation alters depending on ownership concentration, life cycle effects, uncertainty of the environment, and the efficiency of resource markets. With our paper, we prepare the ground for a fuller understanding of the strategic role of owners for value creation.

TERRITORIAL SOCIETIES FEATURES: EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE

The purpose of the article is to summarize the experience of developing tools for the implementation of amalgamated territorial communities. The European countries’ experience helps to improve the system of public administration in such a way that it acts in the interests of the individual-citizen and is under the control of civil society. The important factors in the dynamic development of the state is effective public administration at all levels of the administrative and territorial structure of the country are investigated. The main links in this section are the district and regional levels, within which the main socio-economic, political and cultural links are realized and estableshed. The main task of effective regional public administration is to ensure the socio-economic development of the region and to meet the needs of citizens. Methodology. The survey is based on a comparison of data from the EU countries. The competences of local governments in the EU countries are examined. Results. Implementation tools for amalgamated territorial communities have been identified to assess the socio-economic development of the community for investment attractiveness. It has been proved that the amalgamation of territorial communities should be based on the principle of multicriteria, since the main participants in the formation, functioning and further development of the community are people who are united in a team to achieve a common goal, which is to develop the territorial community in order to improve the quality of life. Practical implications. Society will be able only if each of its members clearly understands the possibility of improving the standard of living within the community than existence outside of it. The study has shown that there are the number of criteria, including spatial, temporal, demographic, labor, cultural, historical, financial, that should be considered when amalgamating territorial communities. It is proved that the main instruments of implementation of amalgamated territorial communities are area, population (including demographic structure), income level, level of spending, financing structure, structure of economic entities by types of activity and level of income, number of objects of social infrastructure, employment and community unemployment, etc.

The paradox of trust: perceived risk and public compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore

Public trust in the authorities has been recognised in risk research as a crucial component of effective and efficient risk management. But in a pandemic, where the primary responsibility of risk management is not centralised within institutional actors but defused across society, trust can become a double-edged sword. Under these conditions, public trust based on a perception of government competence, care and openness may in fact lead people to underestimate risks and thus reduce their belief in the need to take individual action to control the risks. In this paper, we examine the interaction between trust in government, risk perceptions and public compliance in Singapore in the period between January and April 2020. Using social media tracking and online focus group discussions, we present a preliminary assessment of public responses to government risk communication and risk management measures. We highlight the unique deployment of risk communication in Singapore based on the narrative of ‘defensive pessimism’ to heighten rather than lower levels perceived risk. But the persistence of low public risk perceptions and concomitant low levels of compliance with government risk management measures bring to light the paradox of trust. This calls for further reflection on another dimension of trust which focuses on the role of the public; and further investigation into other social and cultural factors that may have stronger influence over individual belief in the need to take personal actions to control the risks.

Conceptualizing Sustainability Governance Implementation for Infrastructure Delivery Systems in Developing Countries: Success Factors

Infrastructure delivery processes possess the potential to negatively influence sustainability. To curb the incidence of these processes within infrastructure delivery systems, the enthronement of an effective project management and governance framework becomes imperative. This led to the emergence of literature on sustainable project management practice. However, studies seeking to modify existing project governance structures in like manner remain limited. This study contributes to this emerging discourse on the utility of project governance competencies in facilitating sustainable infrastructure delivery. To achieve this objective, this study identifies critical success factors central to the design of effective sustainability governance structures of a typical infrastructure delivery (ID) system with the assistance of a cybernetic system framework—the viable infrastructure delivery systems model (VIDM). Adopting a qualitative multi-case study research design, this study deploys semi-structured interviews for data elicitation through purposively sampled interviewees within the identified cases and a document review. Qualitative content analysis (QCA) was deployed for data analysis. Findings from this study provide success factors for designing effective sustainability governance structures for ID systems. It is expected that the findings from this study will contribute to the emerging discourse concerning sustainability governance of ID systems.

Support for the Populist Radical Right: Between Uncertainty Avoidance and Risky Choice

The last several decades have witnessed a structural change in politics toward cultural and identity conflicts, accompanied by the rise of populist radical right (PRR) parties. However, we know surprisingly little about the psychological or cognitive‐motivational factors underlying PRR support. We claim that uncertainty avoidance (UA)—an epistemic avoidance motivation—represents a central motive because UA resonates with the PRR platform and precedes common predictors of PRR voting. Using data from the 2017 Austrian National Election Study, we found that UA was indeed indirectly associated with a higher likelihood of PRR voting. This association is because greater UA fostered right‐wing sociocultural views, whereas associations with populist attitudes or expected government competence were more ambiguous. PRR parties appear to offer “certainty,” but as extreme parties, they also remain a “risky choice.” We conclude by discussing the contribution of a cognitive‐motivational account to explain PRR voting.