Government Efficiency Research Articles

Share repurchase and capital market pricing efficiency

Share repurchase has become essential to distribute dividends, optimize long-term incentive mechanisms and improve governance structure. This paper selects the sample data from 2007 to 2021 to investigate stock repurchase in promoting the pricing efficiency. Stock repurchase can reduce the synchronicity. The mechanism test points out that stock repurchase plays an inhibitory role by improving stock liquidity and the quality of information disclosure. The heterogeneity test shows that the mechanisms are significant in state-owned enterprises and enterprises with low internal and external governance efficiency due to the substitution effect of stock repurchase on governance to a certain extent.

Electronic Taxpayer Education and Tax Compliance of Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi City County, Kenya

To enlighten taxpayers regarding their tax information, the Kenyan tax authorities have made tax education a top concern. To promote voluntary tax compliance and boost national revenue, this kind of education is essential. Low tax compliance among SMEs limits revenue generation from the government and, consequently, inefficient government expenditure since it makes it harder for the state to amass family earnings, which are vital assets for speculating. This study sought to investigate how electronic taxpayer education affects the compliance with tax laws of manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study used a descriptive research approach and 641 manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi were the study's targeted audience. Output showed that electronic taxpayer education positively affected tax compliance in a significant manner as it relates to manufacturing SMEs. The conclusion arising from this outcome is that electronic taxpayer education plays an important role in manufacturing SMEs' tax compliance as most of them can access tax information electronically in their comfort zones. Policy makers should increase the utilization of electronic means to educate taxpayers on the need to pay taxes and the consequences of non-compliance to tax laws in Kenya. It is recommended that the Kenya tax authority should enhance the education of taxpayers via electronic means as most of the participants in the manufacturing SMEs are said to easily access electronic media that would enhance their competitive advantage over other firms in Kenya.

The driving factors and spatial evolution of industrial water pollution governance efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration in China.

In order to explore the effective path to improve the efficiency of industrial water pollution governance efficiency (WGE), this study takes 27 prefecture-level cities in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration in China as the research object, measures WGE through the improved SBM model, and tests the impact of WGE drivers using the spatial Durbin model (SDM). The study found that environmental pollution governance investment (EPGI) is positively correlated with WGE, and industrial agglomeration status (IAS) has inhibitory effects on the improvement of WGE. By testing IAS2, it was determined that the impact of IAS on WGE has a "U"-shaped relationship. The direct impact of EPGI on WGE is 0.5016, and the indirect impact on WGE is 0.6428; the direct impact of IAS on WGE is -0.3036, and the indirect impact on WGE is -0.5158. Among the other tested impact drivers, per capita GDP (PCG), industrial structure (IS), and level of technological innovation (TIL) are positively correlated with the dependent variable WGE, while energy consumption intensity (ECI), environmental regulation intensity (ERI), and degree of openness to foreign investment (FIR) are negatively correlated with the dependent variable WGE. In addition to the impact of the aforementioned main drivers, IAS and EPGI, these six drivers also largely influence and determine the final impact on WGE.

The impact of open government data on entrepreneurial activity: a quasi-experiment with machine learning

ABSTRACT Open government data (OGD) is a philosophy advocating for the public release of government-held data to citizens and stakeholders. While numerous countries are increasingly adopting this approach, empirical evidence regarding its impact on entrepreneurial activity remains limited. Our study utilizes a difference-in-differences (DID) approach to rigorously assess the causal effect of OGD on entrepreneurial activity and its underlying mechanisms. Additionally, we employ a machine learning technique, Causal Forest, to delve into the pivotal city characteristics that shape OGD’s impact and to assess how these features moderate its effects. Our findings reveal a significantly positive effect of OGD on entrepreneurial activity, primarily driven by its capacity to enhance government efficiency, foster venture capital, and promote technical innovation. Furthermore, we identify sci-tech investment and informatization level as critical city characteristics that positively moderate the impact of OGD.

The coupling coordination and spatial effect of eco-environmental governance efficiency and green innovation in China

ABSTRACT Green innovation effectively supports environmental protection during the process of economic development, and the benign interaction between green innovation and environmental protection has a vital significance to ecological civilisation construction. Based on DEA model and coupling coordination method, this paper analyses the coupling coordination relationship between eco-environmental governance efficiency and green innovation by using China's provincial panel data from 2005 to 2019. And it mainly draws the following conclusions: (1) The coupling and coordination relationship between eco-environmental governance efficiency and green innovation differs greatly among provinces. The coupling coordination degree in the eastern region is not only generally high, but also in the run-in stage, and its environmental governance and green innovation have a positive interaction. (2) Eco-environmental governance efficiency significantly promotes green innovation, but inhibits green innovation in the surrounding areas, which may be due to the elements of innovation are affected by the siphon effect. (3) There is a threshold effect of eco-environmental governance efficiency in promoting green innovation in the surrounding areas. Only when the coupling coordination degree of the ‘eco-environmental & green innovation’ within the province exceeds a certain level, the eco-environmental governance efficiency promotes the green innovation of surrounding areas.

Meningkatkan Efisiensi Penatausahaan Belanja Daerah di Kabupaten Pangkajene Kepulauan

Purpose: This community service activity aims to improve the ability of revenue treasurers to manage regional expenditure in Pangkep Regency. Methodology/approach: The research method used in the implementation of this community service activity is the primary approach. This approach allows active cooperation between the service team and the parties involved, such as the revenue treasurer and local government, in designing, implementing, and evaluating the changes needed in local financial management. Results/findings: The outcomes of this service activity clearly showed a significant improvement in the treasurer's ability to manage local finances, as well as the overall local financial management process. Limitation: The research steps, including Initial Assessment, Joint Planning, Action Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Reflection and Improvement, and Dissemination of Results, helped ensure the success of this program. Contribution: This activity provides recommendations that have the potential to maintain and improve the ability of revenue treasurers in the future, with benefits that include increased efficiency and transparency in local financial governance, as well as more optimal contribution to the goal of practical regional autonomy.

Exploring the impact of institutional quality to South Africa’s transition to renewables

ABSTRACTMotivated by the need for transition toward cleaner and sustainable energy sources, this study delves into the relationship between institutional quality and South Africa’s renewable energy adoption. The objective is to examine how institutional factors influence the share of renewable energy in the country, recognizing that energy transition hinges not only on socioeconomic and technological determinants but also on political economy and institutional variables. This paper proxies institutional quality by the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), Regulatory Quality (REGQUAL), and Government Efficiency (GOV_EFF), on South Africa’s renewable energy share. We find that perceived institutional cleanliness, as measured by a higher CPI, positively affects the share of renewables. This can be attributed to the public’s growing association of corruption with government activities and fossil fuel-based electricity generation. Additionally, improved REGQUAL fosters a healthier energy market but paradoxically results in a lower share of renewable energy in the short term. While contributing to stability, government effectiveness can hinder renewables’ growth due to established industry interests and short-term priorities. The implications of these findings underscore the complex interplay of political and institutional dynamics in shaping South Africa’s energy landscape. This research highlights the need for integrated policies addressing environmental and socioeconomic objectives.

Non-state shareholder governance and corporate innovation efficiency under the background of mixed ownership reform: evidence from China

ABSTRACTBased on data from Chinese SOEs that participated in the mixed ownership reform between 2013 and 2020, mixed OLS and fixed effects models are used to empirically test the impact of non-state-owned shareholders’ participation in board governance on the innovation effectiveness of SOEs in the mixed ownership reform. The empirical results show that: the proportion of non-state shareholder-appointed boards can significantly improve the innovation efficiency of SOEs, and the findings still hold after a series of robustness tests. The impact of the governance of non-state shareholders on the innovation efficiency of SOEs is heterogeneous in two aspects: equity incentives for managers and knowledge absorption capacity. This paper enriches the research on the governance of non-state shareholder boards under mixed ownership reform. It provides empirical evidence and policy implications for optimising the innovation efficiency of SOEs.

Development of Theoretical and Methodological Approaches to Public Administration: From The “Iron Cage” Bureaucracy to Digital Governance and Client-Centeredness

This article presents an analysis of classical (“Old Public Administration”, “New Public Management”, “Good Governance”) and relatively new approaches in public administration (E-government, Digital Public Administration, client-centered, process and project approaches). The purpose of the study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of each approach and explore how their combined use can lead to more effective delivery of public services. The study used the method of a systematic literature review of relevant scientific sources, followed by a comparative analysis of the key features and characteristics of each approach. The results of the analysis show that each approach has unique contributions and limitations, and their effectiveness depends on a number of contextual factors. Old Public Administration focuses on hierarchy, rules and procedures and is effective in ensuring administrative efficiency and accountability. New Public Management emphasizes market principles, such as results-based budgeting, decentralization and competition, and aims to improve efficiency, effectiveness. Good Governance emphasizes democratic values, transparency, accountability and citizen participation in decision-making processes. E-government and digital government approaches aim to use technology to improve the efficiency of government, accessibility and quality of public services. The customer-centered approach focuses on understanding the needs and preferences of citizens and providing customized services that meet their expectations. The process approach emphasizes the importance of systematic planning, implementation and evaluation of public policies and services to achieve the desired results. The project-based approach focuses on the use of project management principles, such as stakeholder engagement, risk management and performance monitoring, to implement complex public projects. The design and implementation of public policies and services must take into account the context, citizen needs and preferences, and broader societal interests. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in public administration to meet the changing challenges and needs of society. The study concludes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to public administration, and a multifaceted approach is necessary for the effective and efficient functioning of the state apparatus.

Strengthening Indonesia's Cabinet System: Embracing the Zaken Cabinet

Objective: This study aims to explore the evolution of Indonesia's cabinet system and argues for the adoption of the "Zaken Cabinet" model, emphasizing its potential to enhance governance effectiveness and address contemporary challenges. The objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Zaken Cabinet and its applicability to the Indonesian context.
 
 Theoretical Framework: The research is grounded in historical and contemporary contexts, comparing Indonesia's current cabinet system with the Zaken Cabinet model, which is characterized by technocratic, non-partisan, and expertise-driven attributes. The theoretical framework examines how such a model can bridge governance gaps and contribute to efficient decision-making, policy implementation, and administrative performance.
 
 Method: This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing historical analysis, comparative assessment, and policy evaluation. Data is collected through literature review, document analysis, and expert interviews. The research focuses on the merits and demerits of the Zaken Cabinet model and its potential phased adoption in Indonesia.
 
 Result and Conclusion: The analysis reveals that adopting the Zaken Cabinet model in Indonesia could significantly enhance governance efficiency. While there are challenges in implementing this model, its benefits, such as non-partisanship and expertise-driven decision-making, outweigh the drawbacks. In conclusion, embracing the Zaken Cabinet can reinforce Indonesia's cabinet system, leading to more effective governance and sustainable development.
 
 Originality/Value: This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on governance in Indonesia by proposing the adoption of the Zaken Cabinet model as a novel approach. The study's value lies in its potential to address contemporary challenges, strengthen decision-making, and improve administrative performance in the country's evolving governance landscape.

E-Government in The Implementation of T-Tax System in Palembang City

Electronic Government, an essential aspect of contemporary governance, harnesses information technology and the internet to optimize governmental activities, fostering enhanced public services and heightened government efficiency and transparency. This research investigates Palembang City's foray into e-government, specifically in regional tax collection, utilizing an online tax application initiated in 2018. Employing a descriptive qualitative research methodology encompassing interviews, observation, documentation, and literature review, the research reveals Palembang City's strategic move to simplify local tax collection through online taxes. Third-party service providers, in collaboration with Bank Sumsel Babel, play a pivotal role in monitoring and facilitating e-tax implementation. Success factors include robust policy support via Mayor Regulations, alongside effective communication strategies utilizing social and electronic media. Challenges persist, such as uneven distribution of tax payment kiosks and low taxpayer compliance with voluntary e-tax adoption. This research offers comprehensive insights into the complexities and opportunities of regional e-government, illuminating the nuanced landscape of digital governance at the local level.

Local government efficiency and economic growth: The Italian case

This paper builds on the empirical literature that analyses the relationship between government efficiency and economic growth by investigating the link on a sample of about 3800 Italian municipalities. While the correlation has been explored at country or regional level, empirical studies at municipal or city level are virtually absent. This is a severe limitation given the numerous fiscal decentralization reforms that took place in many European countries over the last few decades aimed at increasing the autonomy and responsibilities of sub-national government. Estimation results show that government efficiency, when instrumented, is conducive for economic growth. The effect is larger for low populated municipalities, for those located in the South of Italy, and in more peripheral areas. Results are robust to alternative measures of efficiency and growth.

The effect of information disclosure on low-carbon innovation

Using policies to stimulate low-carbon innovations is vital for a more sustainable and low-carbon economy. While the importance of information disclosure policies, considered as a third-wave regulation, has been increasingly recognized by governments, research exploring its effect on low-carbon innovation, especially in developing countries, remains limited. Using patent data from the IncoPat database as a proxy for innovation, this study examines the impact of the Environmental Information Disclosure Decree (EID) on low-carbon innovation in China. The results show that the EID policy encourages low-carbon innovation and that this effect strengthens over time. Specifically, the EID policy induces more low-carbon innovations by alleviating information asymmetry, as evidenced by improved efficiency in governments' traditional environmental regulation, enhanced firms' involvement, and increased public participation. Further heterogeneity analyses conclude that the effect of EID on low-carbon innovation varies depending on the firm types and city attributes.

Initiatives in Combating Corruption in Malaysia: A Way Forward

Corruption is a heinous crime. The offence happens at all levels of society and nations. Corruption has hindered the efficiency of a country's governance and administration system. Since the 1950s, Malaysia has made several efforts to combat corruption. However, despite several efforts, corruption is still the main threat and serious offence, as reported in the Annual report 2021 by the Bank Negara Malaysia. Thus, this paper examines and analyses the initiatives undertaken to combat corruption cases in Malaysia. This study employed qualitative research by analysing the primary and secondary legal sources and the official reports and documents by authorities. In this relation, this paper is significant as it provides the legal and economic perspectives to raise the issues related to corruption based on international requirements and the Malaysia scenario. This paper also provides recommendations for adopting Singapore's anti-corruption policy and preventive measures to improve Malaysia's initiatives and action in combating corruption.

The Influence of Equity Structure and Financing Method on Corporate Governance-Taking Apple. Inc as Example

In recent years, influenced by COVID-19, most companies have sought to survive by optimizing corporate governance through adjustments to internal or external structures. Shareholding structure In corporate governance, shareholding structure is regarded as the basis of property rights, due to the fact that it determines the shareholders' structure and the general meeting of shareholders, which in turn determines the composition and operation of the entire internal control mechanism. A positive effect on the efficiency of corporate governance as a whole can occur through internal control mechanisms. Therefore, this paper chooses Apple Inc. as an example and analyzes the impact of equity structure and financing methods on corporate governance by means of a case study. Through analysis, we can know that when a company faces difficulties, it can choose its financing method to help the company get through the difficulties. For corporate governance, a company should clarify its development goals and plan them reasonably. In this way, it is possible to have a good and profitable development prospect.

The Impact of Administrative Intensity on Financial Sustainability in Local Government: An Empirical Analysis of New South Wales

The Impact of Administrative Intensity on Financial Sustainability in Local Government: An Empirical Analysis of New South Wales

E-Gram Panchayats: Enhancing Accountability and Transparency in Rural Administration

Abstract: The "e-Gram Panchayat" application is a transformative digital platform designed to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of rural governance in India. This application leverages Information Technology (IT) to bridge the digital divide and empower Gram Panchayats, the local self-governing bodies, to better serve their constituents. The project aims to bring government services, land records, social welfare schemes, and administrative processes to the fingertips of citizens in rural areas.Key features of the e-Gram Panchayat application include a user-friendly interface accessible via web and mobile, comprehensive data management systems, robust security measures, and integration with other government databases. It also includes modules for citizen registration, service delivery, document management, GIS mapping, feedback mechanisms, and capacity building.

Can innovative urban design optimize the business environment? Quasi-natural experimental evidence from China

Improving the business environment (BE) is crucial for sustainable regional development. Innovative city design characterized by innovation driven and knowledge intensive is an important way to shape and optimize urban BE. This study constructs a quasi-natural experiment based on China’s Innovative city pilot (ICP) policy. The beneficial contribution of the ICP policy to the improvement of urban BE is empirically examined using asymptotic double-difference models and prefecture-level city panel data from 2004 to 2019. The results find that innovative urban design can effectively improve urban BE, and this policy effect still holds after a multidimensional robustness test. The mechanism test shows that optimizing the allocation of innovation factors is the influence mechanism of ICP policy to optimize urban BE. This mechanism includes four paths: technological innovation effect, government efficiency improvement effect, policy-leading effect, and human capital aggregation effect. Further analysis reveals that this policy effect is more pronounced in central and western regions and regions with higher administrative levels but does not differ significantly depending on the market potential. Furthermore, the ICP policy has a spatial spillover effect, which can improve BE levels in neighboring cities. The findings provide strong evidence for optimizing urban BE and promoting economic transformation and development through regional innovation policies.

The Labour Share, Government Expenditure and Income Inequality of Post-Soviet Countries

This study analyses the influence of economic growth on inequality, concentrating on the role of governments as mediators. The period studied is from 2000 to 2020, encompassing 11 post-Soviet countries. The primary estimation method used is the two-stage least squares for panel data. Despite the differences in the economic and political systems at the current development stage, the post-Soviet countries share a common pattern in terms of the relationship between economic growth, the labour income share and the level of inequality, which we first show in this article. Government expenditure has the potential to reduce inequality. However, its effectiveness depends largely on government efficiency and the development of democratic institutions. Despite the increase in government spending on education, more is needed to reduce income inequality. Increased economic performance, productivity, and high-quality state institutions are necessary for this change.

Стратегическое планирование в государственном управлении как система институциональных инструментов и механизмов целеполагания

The article is devoted to the subject field of political science research within the scientific specialty “Public Administration and sectoral policies” and the analysis of the practice of state strategic planning as a political system of institutional instruments and goal-setting mechanisms in the Russian Federation. The article discusses public political and legal mechanisms for combining values and goals with the choice of ways and methods to achieve them. The constitutional exclusivity and independence of each branch of government as the basis of its strategic resource and strategic planning potential is highlighted as the fundamental public political and legal mechanism for combining values and goals with the choice of ways and methods to achieve them. A general description of the architecture of the unified system of public power in accordance with the amendments to the Constitution of Russia and the current configuration of the public administration system is given. The importance of political factor of the effectiveness of the administration of strategic management system and the implementation of sectoral policies in modern Russia on the basis of the mechanisms of coordinated functioning and interaction of public authorities and local self-government in a single system of public authority is shown. Fundamental changes are highlighted that make it possible to significantly increase the efficiency of the federal government in a unified system of public authority with an emphasis on the implementation of national development goals of both the Russian Federation as a whole and the regions based on the sectoral structure of the economy. Attention is focused on the political goals of the regional factor of socio-economic development of territories on the basis of mechanisms and tools of strategic planning, the directions of fundamental political, legal, administrative and managerial decisions on the implementation of the regional investment standard are determined. The role of federal institutions of innovative development and provision of infrastructure projects and programs for solving the tasks of ensuring sustainable economic growth and diversification of the modern Russian economy, which cannot be optimally implemented by market mechanisms, was demonstrated. Conclusions are drawn about the importance of the interpretative understanding of politics as a system of institutional tools and goal-setting mechanisms in the political and legal practice of state strategic planning for determining promising directions in the subject field of scientific research within the specialty “Public Administration and sectoral policies”, for solving problems of improving the quality of public administration through the introduction of a management model based on big data and artificial intelligence, the transition of the public authority system to a data-based management model using a platform approach.