Different Forms Of Accountability Research Articles

Using self-determination theory to understand and improve recruitment for the Coaching for Healthy Ageing (CHAnGE) trial.

BackgroundIntervention trials promoting physical activity among older people frequently report low and unrepresentative recruitment. Better understanding of reasons for participation can help improve recruitment. This study explored why participants enrolled in the Coaching for Healthy Ageing (CHAnGE) trial, including how their decision was influenced by recruitment strategies. CHAnGE was a cluster randomised controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a healthy ageing program targeting inactivity and falls. Seventy-two groups of people aged 60+ were recruited from community organisations via informal presentations by the health coaches.MethodsWe conducted a secondary thematic analysis of interview data from our wider qualitative evaluation in which 32 purposively sampled trial participants took part in semi-structured interviews about their experiences of CHAnGE. Data relating to recruitment and participation were analysed inductively to identify themes, then a coding framework comprising the core constructs from self-determination theory—autonomy, competence and relatedness—was used to explore if and how this theory fit with and helped to explain our data.ResultsRecruitment presentations promoted the CHAnGE intervention well in terms of addressing value expectations of structured support, different forms of accountability, credibility, achievability and, for some, a potential to enhance social relationships. Participation was motivated by the desire for improved health and decelerated ageing, altruism and curiosity. These factors related strongly to self-determination concepts of autonomy, competence and relatedness, but the intervention’s demonstrated potential to support self-determination needs could be conveyed more effectively.ConclusionsFindings suggest that recruitment could have greater reach using: 1. Strengths-based messaging focusing on holistic gains, 2. Participant stories that highlight positive experiences, and 3. Peer support and information sharing to leverage altruism and curiosity. These theory-informed improvements will be used to increase participation in future trials, including people in hard-to-recruit groups. They may also inform other physical activity trials and community programs.

NGOs working for gender justice with boys and men: Exploring challenges of accountability

AbstractThe gender politics of the present moment are challenging for NGOs working for gender justice with boys and men especially in terms of navigating the different forms of accountability their work is subject to. This paper explores these challenges through concerns expressed by a small group of NGO leaders about issues of accountability. These concerns are theorized within a three‐part model where accountability is conceptualized as (1) imposed, (2) felt, and (3) adaptive. The insights from the leaders highlight particular tensions within and between these different forms of accountability for NGOs working in the space of gender justice and, in particular, how these tensions can support and compromise feminist goals. Amid renewed public commitment to gender justice and greater attention and funding in this space for NGOs working with boys and men, ongoing critical examination of these tensions of accountability is imperative.

Employee Accountability as a Basis for Customer Relations and Corporate Reputation

We form a theory of how organizational members build customer-based corporate reputation (e.g., trust and commitment) through accountability. We present a typology of accountability based on communal and exchange norms, and then argue that the effect of norms on different forms of accountability is moderated by personal duty and exchange orientations. Finally, we propose that different forms of accountability that members display lead to alternative levels of customers’ trust and commitment. Whether members assume accountability for critical outcomes, versus being held to account by others, could impact customers’ relationship perceptions. Overall, our theory brings to the forefront the importance of examining different forms of accountability in customer-based corporate reputation contexts.

Theorising Interdisciplinary Public Sector Accounting Research

AsbtractWhile the volume of interdisciplinary public sector accounting research has expanded, there has been a call to deepen the theorisation. This paper explores the theorisation of the most highly cited interdisciplinary public sector accounting as a tool to understand better what constitutes the dominant or doxic theoretical approaches. Accountability, New Public Management (NPM) and Habermasian theorisation were the three most significant and dominant approaches which could be seen as examples of what Llewellyn (2003) classifies as grand theory (Habermas) and conceptual innovation (accountability and NPM). Much of the accountability work presents the notion of a clash between different forms of accountability, particularly associated with managerialist NPM characteristics. Despite Llewellyn's (2003) criticism of grand theoretical approaches, there are many examples of Habermasian elements being combined with other theoretical approaches to assist exploration of both micro practices and the broader social and societal impact of public sector changes. As such, there is an endorsement of theoretical approaches which address both the micro behaviour and the macro impact of accounting practices in the context of the public sector.

The Independence of Telecommunication Regulators

In order to encourage investment in telecommunication networks, governments have been encouraged to adopt a regulatory state model, with an independent regulatory authority that is subject to a system of appeals and to parliamentary oversight, providing different forms of accountability. The European Commission has pursued this through a sequence of reforms, with governments of member states delegating powers to regulatory authorities, whose independence has been reinforced by directives and network governance. The model has originally been developed in the USA, where there are complex checks and balances, with procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedures Act, with rigorous lobbying before decisions, later subject to litigation. In Africa, the absence of institutional endowments has led to heads of state retaining much more power, delegating only limited functions to regulatory authority that is very rarely believed to be independent. Consequently, operators have lobbied and done deals with the head of state, leaving the regulatory authority for show.

Accounting and charities – an introduction

The paper presents an overview on contributions referred to charities in a historical perspective. In particular, it is underlined the role assumed by different forms of accounting and accountability adopted in various charitable organisations considering different context and experiences (Italy, Uk, USA, Australia and New Zealand).

Calibrating Public Sector Accountability: Translating experimental findings to public sector accountability

Accountability mechanisms are among the most important means with which governments guard and improve the performance of public sector organizations. However, research documents a plethora of accountability-failures. A key issue is: how can public sector accountability become more effective? This paper seeks to answer this question by connecting two largely separated strands of research: public administration research on real-world organizations and experimental research on the effects of different forms of accountability on decision-making. The paper develops the Calibrated Public Accountability-model (CPA-model) from experimental research findings which can be used to investigate how accountability can be calibrated to task requirements of organizations.

Performance Management and Accountability: The Welfare Administration Reform in Norway and Germany

A key premise of recent administrative reforms was that performance management would make public organizations more accountable for results. The article discusses the relations and tensions between performance management and different forms of accountability by focusing on the reform of the welfare administration in Norway and Germany. We find that the introduction of performance management has created new accountability structures which influence service delivery, but not necessarily in the direction expected by the reform agents. Unintended consequences observed include target fixation, the displacement of political accountability, and the predominance of control aspects of accountability.

International Criminal Justice, Peace and Reconciliation in Africa: Re-imagining an Agenda Beyond the ICC

The system established by the statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is founded on the principle of complementarity, i.e. that the ICC complements national legal systems. As such, conceptually, the Court is a support system and system of last resort for when domestic systems are ‘unwilling or unable’ to undertake accountability. This develops the argument that progress in addressing mass atrocities in Africa should be seen in increments not in quantum leaps. As such, this article seeks to reconstruct a regional trajectory of accountability for mass atrocities in Africa with evidence grounded in both state practice and the histories of African countries. It argues that such historically grounded narrative is essential if the mission of international justice in Africa is not to be misplaced. Contrary to popular narrative which tends to suggest that Africa’s institutions have tolerated these atrocities, this paper marshals considerable historical evidence to suggest that African institutions have, over time, made considerable progress in discouraging them through different forms of accountability. It explores different ways in which these regional efforts can be supported by looking beyond the ICC and re-imagining international justice.

Do controle estatal às formas de responsabilização: a autonomia do professor coordenador

Este texto tem como objetivo refletir sobre o professor coordenador (PC) no contexto do "Programa Ler e Escrever", da Secretaria de Educação do Estado de São Paulo (SEE/SP), buscando compreender as formas de responsabilização e/ou autonomia deste sujeito frente ao controle estatal, tendo como referência os pressupostos teóricos de Foucault, ao discutir o poder disciplinar, e Ball, ao tratar dos efeitos de algumas tecnologias políticas. Os resultados apresentados apontam para três diferentes formas de responsabilização e/ou autonomia, delineando que esta tem limites, exige conhecimento e esforço pessoal; e evidenciam, ainda, que o PC é vítima dos discursos reformistas e objetos da reforma, na medida em que lhe falta um posicionamento crítico que permita questionar, contrapor ou reforçar as propostas contidas nesta política curricular.

Privatization and Accountability

Privatization has become a dominant feature of twenty-first century governance, creating concerns about diminished accountability and oversight. However, to properly evaluate such concerns or respond to them, we must distinguish between two different forms of accountability: accountability as after-the-fact redress and accountability as managerial oversight. Moreover, each of these forms of accountability may be pursued through a variety of mechanisms or processes, including not only criminal or civil lawsuits but also reform of the contracts that are the engine of privatization; increased public participation in the design, award, and monitoring of contracts; and changes to the organizational structure or institutional culture of contractor firms. Accordingly, this review lays out a taxonomy for analyzing privatization so that we can more comprehensively evaluate both the impact of privatization and the efficacy of possible responses. In addition, the review highlights recent privatization trends in the military and foreign aid arenas, the potential impact of such privatization on core values, and possible responses.

Media Visibility and the Scope of Accountability

This article examines the role of the news media in enforcing different forms of accountability, such as political, professional, and legal, in crisis situations. It is argued that demands for accountability cannot be regarded as merely procedural, since these demands often depend on how social actors define events, how they assign blame to wrongdoing, and how they attribute responsibilities for perceived problems. Taking into consideration a case of extreme urban violence that was broadcast live during four hours—the hijacking of the 174 Bus line in Rio de Janeiro on 12 June 2000—this study evinces that frame contestation and public debate that occurs through news media, supported by critical actors in the public sphere, play an important role in activating political accountability. The findings show the conflicting role of the news media in societies where democracy is being constructed, as they may support accountability mechanisms that become mere façades as well as civic demands for democratic innovation.

On the geography of accountability: Comparative analysis of teachers’ experiences across seven European countries

Different forms of accountability are part of educational restructuring across Europe. This article will focus on the different national configurations of accountability from teachers’ point of view. A comparative perspective will enlarge on commonalities and differences between teachers’ experiences in Spain, Portugal, Ireland, England, Sweden, Finland, and Greece. The results obtained demonstrate, on the one hand, that educational policy regarding state-initiated standardization and accountability measures vary highly within the EU. On the other hand, it emerged that the oft-cited discussion between a beneficial professional versus a simplistic performance-oriented form of accountability misses the general disbelief of teachers towards all forms of accountability. Although their work has been increasingly rendered visible over the recent past, teachers pinpointed the mismatch between monitored needs and available resources to effectively transform their educational practice.

Reciprocal accountability

PurposeThis paper attempts to replace the understanding of public sector accountability as a linear and hierarchical process with one in which accountability occurs within a network of social relationships. It associates the former approach with the introduction of New Public Management principles in Australian public administration. It investigates the effect of this on the ability of Australia's indigenous people both to access democratic accountability as citizens, and to develop their community organisations as service providers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on field experience with aboriginal community organisations and critical assessment of the literature on this aspect of Australian public administration.FindingsThe paper finds that New Public Management approaches in Australian public administration have not led to greater political accountability but the reverse. As a disadvantaged, culturally distinct minority, aboriginal people are the subject of, rather than partners in, accountability regimes which mire their community service organisations in reporting requirements at the expense of practical activity. In some respects Aborigines are dealt with as individual citizen/clients, at other times as a disadvantaged minority group, and third, as culturally distinct polities. Each of these approaches implies different forms of accountability both by Aborigines to the state and by the state to them.Research limitations/implicationsThis analysis is inherently interpretative rather than exclusively empirical. However, greater efficiency as well as culturally appropriate outcomes can be found by instituting regional regimes of reciprocal accountability.Originality/valueThe analysis of developments in public administration is rarely brought to bear on Australian indigenous affairs.

The Future of Public Service: A Search for a New Balance

The Future of Public Service: A Search for a New Balance

Employees and the Operation of Accountability

This article examines a social accounting cycle in a Danish savings bank with specific focus on how employees interacted with the cycle. The case study is based on archival material and observations of employee engagement sessions that were a significant part of the cycle. The article exposes the ways in which the cycle can be understood as an initiative that prompts different forms of accountability. The cycle had the potential to bring different forms of accountability together, but the cycle also faced challenges that threatened its relevance from an employee perspective. These challenges might have implications for the way we perceive social accounting and the role of employees.

Civil Society and Accountability

This paper addresses the question of whether trust in civil society groups is justified when it comes to giving voice to the poor. It addresses the issue of accountability as it relates to civil society, defining "moral' accountability as an organization's accountability towards the people it was established to help, and procedural accountability as internal management. It draws a distinction between civil society and non-governmental organizations, and argues that the contradiction between "moral' and "procedural' accountability applies primarily to non-governmental organizations, a subset of civil society. Beginning with an overview of the concept of civil society and the relevance of voice, it develops a typology of civil society actors to clarify different forms of accountability, and concludes with policy recommendations.

Regulatory Institutions And Structures

This article presents a legal perspective on regulatory institutions, procedures and processes. Analysis of legal instruments examines justifications for regulatory interventions, and considers the inadequacies of private law remedies to instances of market failure (such as monopolies, inadequate or asymmetric information, externalities and co–ordination problems). A distinction is drawn between social and economic regulation: the former deals with such matters as health and safety, and environmental and consumer protection; and the latter is needed where there is insufficient competition. Instruments of social regulation include prior approval, mandatory standards and information disclosure. A range of instruments of economic regulation is also assessed, including competition law, public ownership, price and quality regulation, and competitive public franchising. Analysis of regulatory processes focuses on regulatory rule–making, delegated regulation and self–regulation. Particular weight is given to different forms of accountability—financial, procedural and substantive—which draws attention to the significance of the public interest dimension of regulatory systems.

A elite política brasileira e a construção da legitimidade democrática

A democracia vem se consolidando no Brasil? Uma resposta afirmativa a esta questão pressupõe, primeiramente, a aceitação quase consensual dos valores básicos da democracia e o fim de toda e qualquer reserva de domínio para determinados segmentos da sociedade ou organismos do Estado. Em países de passado autoritário, como o Brasil e a ampla maioria dos países ibero-americanos, pressupõe, também, a superação de uma forma patrimonialista de fazer política e a incorporação de procedimentos democráticos mínimos, bem como de novas formas de controle sobre o Estado - nas diversas formas de accountability. E os fatores macrossociais, eles interferem no processo de democratização? O objetivo da pesquisa é compreender a opinião dos parlamentares do Congresso Nacional a respeito desses problemas, observando se ocorreram mudanças na percepção desse segmento da elite política a respeito da democratização no Brasil.

Accountability for clinical governance: developing collective responsibility for quality in primary care

This is the second in a series of five articles Accountability is at the heart of the concept of clinical governance. Not only must health professionals strive to improve the...