Efficient Use Of Public Resources Research Articles

Self-cleaning e exclusão obrigatória de operadores econômicos: uma análise comparativa entre a Diretiva 2014/24/UE e a lei de licitações brasileira

Public procurement plays a fundamental pillar as an instrument able to ensure a more efficient use of public resources. In the context of European Union, the Directive 2014/24/UE of the European Parliament and the Council, which takes care of public procurement, made notable changes in relation to the causes of exclusion of economic agents from participating in contracting procedures. In Brazil, New Public Procurement and Administrative Contracts Law, Law n. 14.133/2021, also promoted changes in relation to the sanctioning scope and the possibilities of rehabilitation of companies. In this way, the objetive of this article is, in the light of the principle of competition, analyze the limits of the restriction clauses required from the design of Self-Cleaning, as an institute of community law able to relativize the expulsion grounds set out in the Directive, relating them to the new Brazilian legislation. The comparison between the legislations shows that while Europe has an established and detailed system for self-cleaning, the Brazilian approach is still maturing and could benefit from European practices to strengthen public policies through mechanisms for the reintegration of economic operators. The conclusion is that the experience observed through the Directive can contribute to Brazil's public procurement system, optimizing transparency, competitiveness, and especially, integrity in public contracting processes.

Disparities in healthcare costs of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto, Canada in the post COVID-19 pandemic era: a matched cohort study

BackgroundEvidence is limited about healthcare cost disparities associated with homelessness, particularly in recent years after major policy and resource changes affecting people experiencing homelessness occurred after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated 1-year healthcare expenditures, overall and by type of service, among a representative sample of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto, Canada, in 2021 and 2022, and compared these to costs among matched housed and low-income housed individuals.MethodsData from individuals experiencing homelessness participating in the Ku-gaa-gii pimitizi-win cohort study were linked with Ontario health administrative databases. Participants (n = 640) were matched 1:5 by age, sex-assigned-at-birth and index month to presumed housed individuals (n = 3,200) and to low-income presumed housed individuals (n = 3,200). Groups were followed over 1 year to ascertain healthcare expenditures, overall and by healthcare type. Generalized linear models were used to assess unadjusted and adjusted mean cost ratios between groups.ResultsAverage 1-year costs were $12,209 (95% CI $9,762-$14,656) among participants experiencing homelessness compared to $1,769 ($1,453-$2,085) and $1,912 ($1,510-$2,314) among housed and low-income housed individuals. Participants experiencing homelessness had nearly seven times (6.90 [95% confidence interval [CI] 5.98–7.97]) the unadjusted mean ratio (MR) of costs as compared to housed persons. After adjustment for number of comorbidities and history of healthcare for mental health and substance use disorders, participants experiencing homelessness had nearly six times (adjusted MR 5.79 [95% CI 4.13–8.12]) the expected healthcare costs of housed individuals. The two housed groups had similar costs.ConclusionsHomelessness is associated with substantial excess healthcare costs. Programs to quickly resolve and prevent cases of homelessness are likely to better meet the health and healthcare needs of this population while being a more efficient use of public resources.

State budget system improvement for informed decision-making in Latvia

The study aims to improved the state budget system to ensure informed decision-making, which will contribute to more efficient use of budget funds and increase national financial stability. A comparative analysis of successful budget planning practices in other countries, such as Sweden, Canada and Estonia, was conducted, and the legal framework for coordination between government agencies in the budget management process in Latvia was reviewed. The methodological approach was based on the analysis of statistical data from official sources and regulations, as well as the use of information from government and ministerial websites. The results of the study showed that the analysis of revenues and expenditures of the Latvian state budget for the period from 2019 to August 2024 revealed a steady increase in revenues, with the exception of a decline in 2020 due to the pandemic, and an increase in expenditures, which requires optimisation and better coordination between government agencies. The study determined that the existing legal framework of Latvia regulating coordination between state institutions in budget management needs to be improved to increase the efficiency of this interaction. A comparison of Latvia's budget management systems with the successful practices of Sweden, Canada and Estonia demonstrated management improvement potential by introducing long-term strategic planning, as in Sweden, integrating results into the budget process, as in Canada, and increasing transparency and public involvement, as in Estonia. Based on the data obtained, recommendations were developed to integrate new technologies into the budget process and increase transparency, contributing to a more efficient use of public resources. The results indicate the need to reform the state budget system to ensure informed decision-making in Latvia. This will make it possible to use budget funds more rationally, increase the transparency of financial processes and strengthen public confidence in government decisions

COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS (CEA) OF A TOBACCO INITIATION INTERVENTION FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN TÜRKİYE

Economic evaluation is essential for the efficient use of public resources and, especially, for the scale-up Economic evaluation is essential for the efficient use of public resources and, especially, for the scale-up decisions of the new programs. This study provides a full economic evaluation of a 27-month tobacco control project for college students in Ankara, Türkiye. Tobacco use is costly due to disease/disability, premature death, and associated economic burden. Tobacco use among young adults is of particular concern in Türkiye because of rising prevalence in recent years. The study calculates the sample and population level relative cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) using recall for the interventions implemented in the project. Study found that while the sample-level CER for recall was ₺680,91 and for prevented initiation was ₺2,138.05, the extrapolated CERs were ₺34,96 and ₺105.44, respectively. Reponse to a direct cross-check project effectiveness question in the questionnaire indicated that the project prevented the initiation of 571 never-smoked students. Given this, prevented initiation CER is ₺2,289.18, which is quite similar to survey aggregate CER of ₺2,138.05 for preveneted initiation. Study also found that booth administered during special day was the most cost-effective intervention item while short videos were the least cost-effective ones. The findings of the study will better guide resource allocation and will be instrumental in policy decisions for scaling up the project to all higher education institutions in Türkiye.

Evidence-based sentencing and scientific evidence.

Evidence-based sentencing (EBS) is a new name for an aspiration that has deep roots in criminal law: to apply the sentence most appropriate to each offender's risk of reoffending, in order to reduce that risk as far as possible. This modern version of the traditional sentencing goals of rehabilitation and incapacitation fits into the broader approach of so-called "evidence-based public policy." It takes the view that the best existing evidence for reducing reoffending are modern structured risk assessment tools and claims to be able to achieve several goals at once: reducing reoffending, maintaining high levels of public safety, making more efficient use of public resources, and moving criminal policy away from ideological battles by basing it on the objective knowledge provided by the best available scientific evidence. However, despite the success of this approach in recent years, it is not clear to what extent it succeeds in correctly assessing the risk of individual offenders, nor whether it achieves its intended effect of reducing recidivism. This paper aims to critically examine these two issues: the quality of the scientific evidence on which EBS is based, and the available data on the extent to which it achieves (or does not achieve) its intended goals.

The role of dynamic capabilities on the effectiveness of organizational changes in public sector

PurposeGovernments worldwide have used administrative reforms to align public organizations with the needs of their key stakeholders. However, despite successfully implementing them, they do not consistently achieve the desired organizational performance. This paper aims to explore the relationship between the implementation of administrative reforms and the performance of public organizations from a comprehensive perspective. For this purpose, the authors analyze the mediation role of three crucial dynamic capabilities.Design/methodology/approachThis research used a survey-based methodology. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data obtained from a sample of public officials and managers working in public organizations in the State of Ceará (Brazil).FindingsThe results of this study suggest that dynamic capabilities can have a decisive role in implementing government policy proposals and helping public organizations align their outcomes with stakeholders' needs. In addition, they indicate the existence of two levels of capabilities and identify a road map for their implementation.Practical implicationsFrom a practical point of view, by identifying these capabilities and their interrelationship, this study provides a roadmap to reduce the complexity of their use and help managers of public organizations deliver desired outcomes relating to the quality of individual and collective stakeholders.Originality/valueThis study makes important contributions to the literature, enabling scholars and practitioners to see the result of government policy proposals beyond the efficient use of public resources. It shows the role of dynamic capabilities as mediation instruments for changing public organizations, which can be used in administrative reform implementations and continuous improvement processes. Finally, it provides empirical research on the interaction between the three dynamic capabilities in the context of public organizations, differentiating these capabilities into two levels, which provides a road map for their implementation and development by public managers.

Employees' Perception of Public Purchases at the Federal University of Campina Grande in State of Paraíba

Government purchases have become a major concern for managers by requiring more efficient use of public resources. Therefore, The present work aims to analyze the perception of public servants involved in the bidding processes of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG) about the purchasing practices adopted by the institution. Based on a survey of the servers directly involved with the UFCG purchasing sector, the results indicated that the respondents consider the constant updating of the professionals responsible for the purchases important and evaluated the efficiency of the purchases made through electronic trading. They also considered shared purchases as an economically viable option, reducing the time, costs and quantity of bids, despite the reluctance of some servers regarding this option. However, it was evident that the UFCG seeks to justify the need when carrying out adhesions, but does not always carry out price research demonstrating the advantage for the administration.

ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ ИНФОРМАЦИОННЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ ПО УПРАВЛЕНИЮ ПОТОКАМИ ПАЦИЕНТОВ ПРИ ПРОВЕДЕНИИ МЕДИЦИНСКИХ ОСМОТРОВ

At present, the urgent task of the healthcare system is to improve the quality of medical care to the population. The need to improve the infrastructure of medical organizations is dictated by both the needs of the population and the efficient use of public resources. Preservation of labor longevity of the able-bodied population, especially those working in harmful and dangerous working conditions, requires special attention of health care systems during medical examinations, taking into account occupational risk. Automation of medical processes and the use of electronic queue systems contribute to improving the quality of medical services. The aim of the study was to study the experience of using information technologies to manage patient flows during medical examinations. The research materials were the data of a medical organization providing assistance to employees of industrial enterprises for 2019-2021, which were analyzed using modern methods of analysis. The study revealed the main features of the developed and used system for managing patient flows, and also established the positive impact of its use by reducing the time for medical examinations from several days to 3 hours a day using the resources available to the medical organization. The basic principles of the system operation made it possible, using available resources, to improve the quality of medical care, improve the medical and demographic indicators of the population attached to the medical organization, increase the number of enterprises and the population served, increase patient satisfaction with the quality of medical care, and also reduce the population's distraction from the labor process, what is most important for the employer in the development of human capital.

Kamu Yönetimi Bağlamında Afet Yönetiminde Örnek Bir Uygulama: AYDES

Dünyanın küresel salgınla birlikte kaosa sürüklendiği bir dönemde artan nüfusla birlikte kamu yönetimi kavramı önem kazanmakta ve devletlerin yeni politikalar oluşturarak bunların planlanmasında aktif roller üstlenecek aktörleri tayin etmesi ve güçlendirmesi hayati bir anlam ifade etmektedir. Geleneksel kamu yönetimi anlayışının terk edildiği günümüzde kamu yönetiminde şeffaf, esnek, vatandaş odaklı, kamuya açık kaynakların doğru kullanılması sürecini öne çıkaran politikalara duyulan ihtiyaç yeni kamu yönetimi paradigmasını desteklemektedir. Yeni kamu yönetimi anlayışının hâkim olduğu afet yönetimi ise esnek tabanlı yapısını ortaya koymakta ve afetlerde hızlı karar alma mekanizmalarının uygulanmasına olanak tanıyan işlev üstlenmektedir. 2018 yılında Cumhurbaşkanlığı Kararnamesiyle Türkiye Cumhuriyeti İçişleri Bakanlığı bünyesine katılan AFAD afetlerin öngörülmesi, planlanması, organize edilmesi, her aşamasının takip edilmesi ve iyileştirilmesi konusunda yetkili kılınmıştır. İçişleri Bakanlığının hem afet yönetimi hem de iç güvenlikten sorumlu olmasının sinerjetik etkileri de bu kapsamda önemli görülmektedir. Afet durumlarında doğru bilgi ve konuma ulaşmak, sağlıklı iletişimi sağlamak büyük önem taşımaktadır. AFAD’ın afetler konusunda dünya standartlarını takip ettiğinin en önemli göstergelerinden biri olan AYDES uygulaması bileşenleriyle birlikte kapsamlı bir bilgi ağı sunmakta ve ekiplere destek sağlamaktadır. Coğrafi bilgi sistemleri üzerine inşa edilen, karar destek mekanizmalarına sahip web tabanlı bir uygulama olan AYDES’in, büyük kısmının alt bileşeni ilgili kurum ve kuruluşlarla ortak kapalı bir sistem üzerinden veri akışını sağlarken yine bir alt modül olarak, Bütünleşik Afet Yönetim Platformuyla vatandaş erişimine imkân sunmaktadır. Bu imkân vatandaşı da afet yönetiminin bir parçası haline getirmektedir. Ulusal/uluslararası düzeyde çok tanınmayan bu uygulamanın literatürde kaynağı sınırlıdır. Bununla birlikte sınırlı erişime sahip olan uygulama hakkında eldeki verilerin bir araya getirilmesi ve yorumlanması çalışmanın önemini ortaya koymaktadır. Kamu yönetimindeki yeni yönetim anlayışının bir yansıması olarak değerlendirilebilecek bu uygulama hakkında literatürde sınırlı bilgiye rastlanmaktadır. Afet yönetiminin Türkiye’deki işleyiş biçimlerini konu kapsamında gösteren çalışma AYDES uygulamasının geniş bir analizini yapmayı amaç edinmiştir. Gelişmiş teknolojik imkânlarla oluşturulmuş uygulamanın bilgi akışını sağlamak konusunda büyük katkılar sağlayacağı ve afet yönetiminin şeklini değiştireceği göz önünde bulundurulduğunda uygulamanın teknolojik olarak sürekli güncellenmesi ve sürdürülebilirliğinin sağlanması son derece önemli görülmektedir.

Experience of world academic science as a landmark of medical science development in Ukraine

Background. The previous millennium was marked by the rapid development of scientific and technological progress, the widespread implementation of the results of scientific research. The purpose of our work was a retrospective study of global approaches and historical preconditions for the formation of academic science in different countries, the experience of effective organization of scientific research to develop proposals for its improvement, taking into account the peculiarities of medical academic science in Ukraine. Materials and methods. In the course of the research the methods of semantic analysis of scientific documents, methods of structural-logical analysis, content analysis were used. Results. Historical and modern aspects of academic science formation in different countries of the world were analyzed. Particular attention was paid to the peculiarities of the development of medical academic science with the assessment of the most effective systems of its organization. In Ukraine, national interests require immediate and effective measures aimed at preserving and effectively using existing scientific potential. Specific mechanisms for ensuring proper scientific substantiation of the formation and implementation of state policy in all spheres of public life need to be identified. Conclusions. Improving the system of organization of medical academic science in Ukraine should take into account the results of the emergence and development of academic science, both in Ukraine and in developed countries. The results of the study of international experience testified to the historical expediency and effectiveness of the development of academic medical science. Funding for medical science, which has become a cornerstone of transformation, must be differentiated, this is the mixed model is the most common in the world-basic funding using public funds with the possibility of grant support on a competitive basis. Such a mechanism for the efficient use of public resources will create conditions for stimulating priority and innovative research.

Performance audit in the public sector: Domestic and foreign experience

The study is devoted to the problems of organising a state efficiency audit in the Russian Federation, which is a key tool for assessing the utilisation of public resources and the degree of achievement of the country's socio-economic goals. Based on the analysis of foreign practices, the study of problematic aspects of the organisation and implementation of state financial control, such as the audit of the efficiency of the use of public resources, was carried out. The purpose of the study was to investigate the essence and organisational and methodological aspects of conducting such a type of financial control as a performance audit in the public sector of the Russian Federation. In the course of the study, empirical research, comparative and statistical research, synthesis of theoretical and practical material were used. Methods of grouping and classification were used in the processing and systematisation of information. The problem of efficient use of public resources is one of the most pressing issues of the budget process in the Russian Federation. In these conditions, the role of state financial bodies is more important than ever, the purpose of which is to ensure the expediency, legality, and efficiency of the generation, distribution, and use of budget resources.

A V-Model Software Development Application for Sustainable and Smart Campus Analytics Domain

As small cities, university campuses contain many opportunities for smart city applications to increase service quality and efficient use of public resources. Enabling technologies for Industry 4.0 play an important role in the goal of building a smart campus. An earlier work of the authors proposed a framework that was proposed for the development of a smart campus applications. It was the digital transformation process of İzmir Bakırçay University which is a newly established university in Turkey. This study is related to the final part of the developed framework. It aims to systematically develop a software for a sustainable and smart campus. V-model software development methodology was followed in the study. The methodology was applied for the corresponding stage which mainly includes real-time analytics, monitoring, reporting and performance management. The data flow diagrams were presented at three levels, a context diagram for a basic form of the system and parent diagram for the detailed software modules, and a child diagram for a selected module. This study can guide to the following researches to create a smart campus framework and a real-time analytics software.

Automated two-stage continuous decision support model using exploratory factor analysis-MACBETH-SMART: an application of contractor selection in public sector construction

Public sector client marks contractor selection decisions on technical and financial bid considerations where efficient use of public resources is never unheeded. A plethora of past studies has developed two-stage models; however, continuous assessment of contractors is disregarded, and the models compromise on the discontinuous progression that partially recognizes the prominence of the technical stage in the selection process. This research aims to develop a novel automated two-stage continuous decision model for contractors’ assessment and selection where each contractor would be assessed on corresponding performance assessment grading levels. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) assimilated with MACBETH (Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique) employed to assess the model criteria, whereas, criteria assessment stage is developed using a novel hybrid combination of SMART (Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique), which in turn entails the EFA-MACBETH-SMART triplet-combination. The model encompasses extensive model criteria; thus, 76 model criteria were investigated and evaluated. Final selection of a contractor is proposed on technical bid/financial bid ratio mechanisms based on performance levels such as RT/F: 80/20; 75/25; 70/30; 65/35; and 60/40. A hypothetical case is encompassed to portray the operational mechanism of the automated assessment system. Findings from the model unveil that continuous progression of technical assessment stage in final selection make justice with the highly qualified contractors, and the likelihood of project success increases. The developed model further conclude that technically highest bidders may be awarded the contract if additionally offers a feasible bid. The developed model preserves the concept of efficient use of public resources alongside supporting the technically highest bidders.

Uma análise do controle interno municipal sob a perspectiva dos controllers: um estudo de caso nos municípios do território de identidade do sertão produtivo do Estado da Bahia, Brasil

A proposta é verificar o controle interno praticado pelos municípios e o papel dos controladores no exercício de suas funções, procurando compreender os principais desafios enfrentados, por esses agentes públicos. O objetivo é analisar o funcionamento do sistema de controle interno na esfera municipal, pela perspectiva da visão dos controladores internos, visando compreender a importância do sistema e dos profissionais, para o uso eficiente dos recursos públicos e melhoria da gestão da coisa pública. O estudo foi aplicado em vinte municípios que compõem o Território de Identidade do Sertão Produtivo do Estado da Bahia. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório com revisão sistemática de literatura e levantamento de dados por meio de questionários estruturados, pelos quais foi capturada a percepção dos controladores internos e confrontada com apontamentos técnicos das contas anuais dos exercícios dos anos de 2016 e 2017, extraídos do portal eletrônico do Tribunal de Contas dos Municípios do Estado da Bahia, com uma amostra de 100% da população estudada. Os resultados, a princípio, mostraram que os controladores internos necessitam de um aperfeiçoamento contínuo, impelido principalmente pelas exigências e dinâmicas impostas pelo cargo que ocupam. Observou-se haver espaço para a predominância de indicação política sobre esses cargos, o que pode tornar vulnerável a atuação. Portanto, apesar de toda evolução do arcabouço legislativo quanto regulamentação e orientação do desempenho das atividades do agente controlador, emerge-se aclarar a importância deste profissional na preservação dos recursos públicos, evitando possíveis prejuízos advindos de erros, falhas, irregularidades, e na promoção de uma gestão de qualidade.

Пропозиції щодо удосконалення правових механізмів з реалізації реформи територіальної організації влади та місцевого самоврядування на засадах децентралізації

Стаття присвячена аналізу сучасного стану впровадження реформи місцевого самоврядування та територіальної організації влади. Наведено аргументи щодо необхідності нормативно-правого врегулювання питання з формування нового адміністративно-територіального устрою та створення спроможного місцевого самоврядування, розбудови дієвої системи територіальної організації влади та вчасного завершення реформи децентралізації влади. 
 Показано що основними проблемами у сфері адміністративно-територіального устрою України, які істотно впливають на ефективність територіальної організації влади є: застарілість моделі адміністративно-територіального устрою України, яка не відповідає сучасним викликам; надмірна подрібненість адміністративно-територіальних одиниць, насамперед сільських та селищних рад та й окремих міст; існування анклавів, ексклавів, невизнаність меж багатьох адміністративно-територіальних одиниць; наявність значних диспропорцій у рівнях соціально-економічного розвитку адміністративно-територіальних одиниць; відсутність законодавчої бази достатньої для формування нової територіальної основи діяльності органів місцевого самоврядування.
 Зазначено, що найбільш оптимальною може бути модель децентралізації в Україні, яка корелюється з Основним законом держави і національним законодавством та спрямована на формування ефективної системи місцевого самоврядування, в якій ключовою ланкою буде базовий рівень – спроможні та самодостатні територіальні громади.
 Надано пропозиції щодо удосконалення правових механізмів з реалізації реформи територіальної організації влади та місцевого самоврядування на засадах децентралізації де головною домінантою є сучасна реформована Конституція яка стає підґрунтям міцного місцевого самоврядування і запорукою сильної виконавчої влади на місцях – що є важливим індикатором самодостатньої держави.

Sustainable Public Procurement: From Law to Practice

This study aims to propose actions to improve the implementation of sustainable public procurement by identifying the problems perceived by public servants and social economy entities. Two types of questionnaires were sent to organizations in Spain and Europe and 217 complete answers were received (152 from the public sector and 65 from the social entities). In addition, 20 semi-structured personal interviews were conducted by phone with managers of social enterprises and four interviews, also by phone, were carried out with relevant people from the public sector. The results of the surveys and the interviews were structured using the analysis of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT), which was considered consistent with the strategic nature of public procurement. The perceived opportunities for the public sector focus on more efficient use of public resources and improvement of reputation and social equality. For the social entities, more participation in procurement could lead to less dependency on public funds and more visibility. The obstacles for the public sector are related to lack of training and internal resistance to change, as well as, in the case of social entities, to their small size and the tensions with their social object that might derive from bigger competition. The proposed activities focus on two objectives, more training to increase knowledge from the public sector and the readiness of social entities. It is concluded that it is necessary to establish channels of communications between the two groups to avoid possible inefficiencies.

Is public sector performance just a matter of money? The case of the Spanish regional governments

Efficient use of public resources is clearly a relevant issue to be studied from several points of view. Among others, it accounts for a significant share of the total economy activity and it deals with non-market oriented activities. In Spain, the regional level is particularly relevant due to the progressive decentralization of key public policies constituting the welfare state (as education, health, etc.) and their increasing financing needs, at the same time with important differences in fiscal capacity between them. Moreover, they mostly share (15 of 17) a common financing system in which an efficient use of resources is assumed but not evaluated. Our results show that normally a few of the regions tend to be the top performers, but there no regions performing poorly in every aspect. It is also worth noting that no dramatic changes can be seen in terms both of expenditure and performance during the recent Great Recession.

Gestão fiscal, eficiência da gestão pública e desenvolvimento socioeconômico dos municípios cearenses

Resumo A administração pública tem o papel na sociedade de gerenciar o patrimônio público de modo a proporcionar melhores níveis de bem-estar social, promovendo maior desenvolvimento socioeconômico. A utilização eficiente dos recursos públicos apresenta-se como um princípio básico para que a gestão pública alcance seus objetivos. Além disso, a transparência e o controle, proporcionados pela gestão fiscal, apresentam-se como fatores capazes de otimizar os resultados no setor público, uma vez que conduzem os gestores públicos a boas práticas gerenciais. Nesse contexto, este artigo analisa os efeitos da gestão fiscal e da eficiência da gestão pública no desenvolvimento socioeconômico municipal. Utilizou-se a análise envoltória de dados (data envelopment analysis - DEA) e regressão linear para analisar os 184 municípios cearenses, no período de 2007 a 2013. Os resultados indicam que a gestão fiscal e a eficiência da gestão pública influenciam positivamente o desenvolvimento socioeconômico municipal, sinalizando que os gestores públicos devem melhorar a eficiência de sua gestão e observar as regras de controle fiscal.

Goal programming approach for political districting in Santa Catarina State: Brazil

In the Brazilian judiciary, the Electoral Registry Offices (EROs) are responsible for managing the Brazilian electoral districts. Moreover, not only do they organize elections in their district, but they are also responsible for managing the registration of electors and supervising the political parties. Brazil has a multi-party system with more than 35 political parties competing over the 295 cities of Santa Catarina state, which had over 4.98 million voters in 2017. In this context, we present a mixed integer model, with the concepts of goal programming and contiguity graph, to propose a more equilibrated distribution of political districts to Santa Catarina state. The mathematical model considers the political districting criteria (population balance, spatial contiguity, and compactness), and also considers the particularities of the Brazilian electoral system (minimum number of voters in an electoral district, maximum electoral zones per city, and so forth). The objective of the problem is to determine the optimum set of districts for the most efficient use of public resources and best service to the population. Therefore, there must be a balance of workload among the (EROs), i.e., a steady number of electors and nominating petitions per district. The solution proposed succeeded in presenting a set of districts with a better workload distribution while respecting all the districting criteria and the Brazilian legislation. Compared to the current situation, the model shows a reduction in the standard deviation of the electorate distribution per district of 7520 voters. The solution obtained by the proposed model for the Brazilian electoral system in the state of Santa Catarina may be used by any other of the 26 Brazilian states. The proposed model is a particularization of the classic political districting problem since it inserts complementary constraints to this classic problem from the operational research literature.

Causalidade de Granger do índice de desenvolvimento socioeconômico na gestão fiscal dos municípios brasileiros

Resumo A relação entre gestão fiscal e desenvolvimento tem sido objeto de muitos estudos aplicados, mas ainda são incipientes os trabalhos que investigam a relação de causalidade entre eles. Partindo da hipótese de que a eficiência na gestão fiscal resultaria em melhores indicadores socioeconômicos municipais, o objetivo desta pesquisa consistiu em investigar a relação entre gestão fiscal e desenvolvimento em 4.317 municípios brasileiros, no período de 2006 a 2013. Adotou-se o modelo de regressão com dados em painel e aplicação de causalidade de Granger. Os resultados indicaram a inexistência de relação de causalidade entre gestão fiscal e desenvolvimento e confirmou a relação de causalidade do desenvolvimento para a gestão fiscal, demonstrando que nem sempre a gestão fiscal eficiente sinaliza o uso eficiente dos recursos públicos para promover o desenvolvimento.