Governance Model Research Articles

Whole-of-government approach in disaster management: collaborative case study on the 2023 Morocco earthquake response

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate Morocco’s Whole-of-Government (WoG) framework during the 2023 Al Haouz earthquake, applying complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory to assess its effectiveness with minimal international aid. Through extensive stakeholder engagement and real-time analysis, it examines interagency coordination among civilian and military actors and their interactions with external nongovernmental responders. This study identifies strengths and weaknesses within the WoG framework and presents a strategic roadmap with practical recommendations to enhance disaster resilience, offering valuable insights for Morocco and other middle-income countries facing similar challenges. Design/methodology/approach Framed by CAS theory, this research uses a rigorous mixed-methods approach through a collaborative case study methodology. Qualitative insights were derived from on-site observations and interviews with 126 stakeholders, including survivors. At the same time, quantitative data were collected through content analysis from multiple sources and rigorously triangulated to capture the full spectrum of WoG mobilization. The data were processed using TAMS Analyzer, and systemic evaluation was conducted through the M-MACBETH methodology, supported by a 21-member expert group. Informed by the assessment results and international best practices, this paper presents an actionable roadmap aimed at building a stronger and more flexible disaster management (DM) system. Findings The case study reveals that Morocco’s experience offers both a warning and a blueprint for future disaster response efforts. Although the WoG framework successfully coordinated military, civilian and political leadership, weaknesses in local preparedness, civil society integration and misinformation management reduced the overall effectiveness of the response. Aligned with CAS principles and informed by global best practices, the research advocates creating a National Emergency Management Agency with a comprehensive nationwide organigram to balance community-led initiatives with centralized authority, fostering a more resilient, adaptive and coordinated DM system. Originality/value This paper addresses a key research gap by applying CAS theory to a real-world disaster in the underexplored North African context. It offers a detailed, first-hand evaluation of Morocco’s WoG framework, assessing its ability to manage a large-scale disaster with minimal yet selective international aid. This study paves the way for comparative research across regions, disaster types and governance models while providing a practical roadmap for Morocco and similar nations to transition toward a Whole-of-Society strategy for DM, enhancing long-term resilience.

Exploring the role of inter-municipal cooperation for promoting water circular economy: insights from a Southern European country

ABSTRACT This article analyses the role of inter-municipal cooperation (IMC) as a governance model in promoting water circular economy (WCE) and water reuse practices. Despite the potential benefits offered by IMC, little is known about how IMC could contribute to fostering WCE adoption. The article develops and uses a framework to assess the involvement of IMC in advancing WCE strategies, addressing three key dimensions: governance robustness, IMC engagement in WCE, and territorial fit. It uses Portugal as a case study within the South European Union, where water scarcity and interest in IMC approaches are growing. Considering the emphasis on collaboration in legal and legislative frameworks, the results show the constrained role of inter-municipal communities (IMCs) in promoting the WCE through water reuse in Portugal. In addition, the limited integration of water reuse into territorial strategies highlights the lack of integration of water management and spatial planning. Moreover, the robustness of governance is hindered by a lack of funding, inadequate infrastructure, spatial barriers, a lack of experts or knowledge, and a deficiency in common goals or diversity of interests. Further research is essential to address territorial fit and spatial considerations critical to WCE adoption.

Opportunities of trust in welfare management: From hierarchy and market to morality and social relations

Models for the development of Danish welfare continue to draw on trust as an important resource. This is expressed in efforts to promote debureaucratization, self-management and emancipatory governance. But what kind of trust are we talking about when we talk about trust in the public sector? The starting point of this article is that trust is not a singular entity but is expressed in different ways that are rooted in different models of public management and governance and their underlying assumptions. Thus, it is argued that the functioning of trust can be summarized in four paradigms: institutional trust, economic trust, moral trust and relational trust. The article presents the analytical, managerial and governance-related insights associated with the four paradigms and their interplay and makes suggestions for a relationally oriented research agenda on public trust.

Impact of ESG Disclosures on Corporate Financial Performance: An Industry‐Specific Analysis of Indian Firms

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices and return on assets (ROA) in Indian companies, focusing on industry‐specific variations. Using 10 years of panel data across resource‐intensive, consumer‐facing, and service sectors, the analysis employs the system generalized method of moments (GMM) for robust estimation. The results reveal a positive overall effect of ESG practices on ROA, with significant differences across industries. The study uses the categorization of resource‐intensive, consumer‐facing, and service industries to examine the differential effects of ESG factors on ROA. However, environmental scores do not significantly impact ROA, suggesting uniform effects across industries. Social scores enhance ROA without notable industry‐specific differences, while governance scores show varying effects, indicating sector‐specific drivers of profitability. The analysis also highlights the moderating effects of industry categories on the ESG–ROA relationship, suggesting that the impact of ESG practices varies across different sectors. The study also considers the economic effects of COVID‐19, highlighting its marginal impact on ROA and the need for resilient financial strategies. However, the moderating effect of COVID‐19 on this relationship was not significant, indicating limited variation in the ESG–ROA dynamics during the pandemic period except in the governance model. These findings suggest that tailored ESG strategies, aligned with industry‐specific challenges, can optimize financial performance. Policymakers and investors are encouraged to focus on sector‐specific ESG practices to better evaluate company performance and formulate effective regulations. This research contributes to the emerging market context by emphasizing the importance of industry‐specific ESG integration for enhancing financial outcomes.

The Disappearance of Self-Determination from the League of Nations Covenant, January–February 1919

Abstract After Woodrow Wilson’s speech to Congress in February 1918, ‘self-determination’ was expected to be a guiding concept for a post-imperial order once the Great War had ended. Yet when the Covenant of the League of Nations was negotiated at the Paris Peace Conference, the phrase was removed. Why and by whom? The existing literature offers little answer. This article argues that Wilson fought for inclusion of both the phrase ‘self-determination’ and the substance of it but was convinced to remove both by his own advisers and members of the British delegation. These men had an agenda at variance with Wilson’s, one focused on solidifying wartime transatlantic co-operation into a post-war governance model that would strengthen the British imperial position and bring the US into support of it. That agenda could not accommodate Wilsonian self-determination. Its resulting disappearance effectively reversed the post-imperial sense of wartime statements on self-determination made by Wilson and David Lloyd George. Anti-colonial movements, as the Paris negotiators knew, had taken inspiration from those promises. Their hopes for an organized dismantling of the imperial order were disappointed. Only after four decades of political violence would the pre-war order be replaced by one that better resembled Wilson’s abandoned vision.

López Obrador’s Transformation of Mexican Democracy

In his six years as president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador claimed to be bringing genuine democracy to Mexico. Although his anti-poverty programs proved effective, his transformation of the political system diminished pluralism while building up the dominance of his Morena party, which he continues to lead since leaving office. He also gave the military an expanded role in domestic tasks such as internal security and infrastructure management, creating a new civil-military model of governance. Meanwhile, organized crime groups were left largely unchecked, effectively co-governing large swaths of the country.

Exploring the Legacy of Ancient India Cultural, Scientific, and Socio-Political Contributions to World Civilization

This study explores the remarkable achievements of ancient India, focusing on its enduring impact on global thought and practices. From the philosophical insights enshrined in the Vedas and Upanishads to the revolutionary scientific advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, ancient India emerged as a beacon of intellectual brilliance. Concepts such as zero, the decimal system, and advanced astronomical calculations influenced civilizations across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, forming the foundation for modern science and technology. Culturally, ancient India introduced transformative ideas of spirituality, yoga, and meditation, which continue to inspire holistic health and mental well-being worldwide. The philosophical principles of dharma, karma, and non-violence, as seen in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, have resonated globally, shaping ethical and moral frameworks across cultures. The socio-political structures of ancient India, including democratic assemblies and the Varna system, offered models of governance and societal organization, albeit evolving over time.This exploration reveals how ancient India's legacy transcends time, fostering intercultural exchanges and providing timeless wisdom that addresses contemporary challenges, from sustainability to global harmony. By examining this rich heritage, we celebrate ancient India's unparalleled contributions to humanity's collective progress.

A new electoral bottom-up model of institutional governance

The sustainable governance of Global Risky Commons (GRC)—global commons in the presence of a sizable risk of overall failure—is ubiquitous and requires a global solution. A prominent example is the mitigation of the adverse effects of global warming. In this context, the Collective Risk Dilemma (CRD) provides a convenient baseline model which captures many important features associated with GRC type problems by formulating them as problems of cooperation. Here we make use of the CRD to develop, for the first time, a bottom-up institutional governance framework of GRC. We find that the endogenous creation of local institutions that require a minimum consensus amongst group members—who, in turn, decide the nature of the institution (reward/punishment) via an electoral process—leads to higher overall cooperation than previously proposed designs, especially at low risk, proving that carrots and sticks implemented through local voting processes are more powerful than other designs. The stochastic evolutionary game theoretical model framework developed here further allows us to directly compare our results with those stemming from previous models of institutional governance. The model and the methods employed here are relevant and general enough to be applied to a variety of contemporary interdisciplinary problems.

Decision rights partitioning and sharing platform performance: a combination of cluster and configurational analyses

PurposeResearch on decision rights partitioning and its impact on platform performance has predominantly focused on single rights, leading to inconclusive results. This study is driven by a more nuanced objective of exploring diverse governance models that can enhance the performance of sharing platforms across different contexts. Rather than delegating single decision right to users, this approach partitions several essential decision rights concurrently throughout the transaction process. By examining the complex relationships between multiple decision rights partitioning and platform performance, this study identifies and explains suitable governance models that are tailored to specific contextual factors for improving the performance of sharing platforms.Design/methodology/approachCollecting data from 60 sharing platforms in China, this study employs a combination of cluster and configuration analyses to address research questions.FindingsThe study explores three strategic decision rights partitioning modes widely adopted by sharing platforms. It further identifies four governance models for sharing platforms, which are termed as conservative seller model, conservative buyer model, aggressive seller model and aggressive buyer model, related to certain contextual factors.Originality/valueIn addressing platform governance as key to sharing platform success, the study contributes to the literature by investigating how multiple-rights partitioning portfolios and strategic differentiation in decision rights partitioning can enhance platform performance.

Governance, participation, and development: local power’s perspective in Portugal

ABSTRACT This paper examines the local governance model in Portugal, focusing on its characteristics, evolution, and the valuation of local agents’ participation, involvement, and capacity building. Using an online questionnaire distributed to politicians and technicians, the study reveals that the Portuguese governance system is widely perceived as inadequate for addressing complex and accelerating socio-economic dynamics. Centralist and bureaucratic structures, coupled with limited resources, institutional capacity, unsustainable policies, and weak evaluation mechanisms, are identified as key barriers to effectiveness. Despite these shortcomings, the governance model receives positive evaluations in areas such as legitimacy, representation, and communication, with respondents recognizing the democratic legitimacy of decision-making processes. The study concludes that promoting decentralization, reducing bureaucratic complexity, and enhancing transparency and accountability are essential for fostering citizen participation and improving governance outcomes. These findings provide a basis for understanding the gaps in the Portuguese governance model and offer insights for future research and policymaking.

CChallenges and (partial) solutions of gender-inclusive translation: Spanish, English, and French in the context of participatory research

Both co-authors have been coordinating translation work for the participatory research project The Surviving Memory in Postwar El Salvador including a variety of audiovisual materials (websites, ethics documents, subtitling videos, etc.). This work presents our observations of student translator training based on mutual education as an effort to negotiate across differences (regional, generational, linguistic, etc.) and to model language that is less (gender) exclusionary while also honoring cultural and historical specificities. After presenting the participatory research project and describing the different types of translation tasks, we consider some concrete cases of translations towards Spanish but also in some cases towards English and French, along with theoretical and practical implications. The extracts that we discuss come from the project's Governance Model, followed by some examples of translations from survivor testimonies, Community dissemination reports, ethic protocols and other administrative documents. Throughout the discussion of these examples, we reflect about our challenges in translation, mostly linked to learning and teaching how to translate while translating and also about Inclusive Translation as (mutual) education. The discussion includes some thoughts about the challenges of training in our collaborative approach to translation, translating with space limitations, and the use (or not) of nonbinary inclusive language in translation, all of which contribute to our vision of translation as mutual education.

Moulding intergovernmental relations through tiao-kuai governance: dissecting the multi-scalar politics of intercity railway projects in China

ABSTRACT This article explores the dynamics of intergovernmental relations in China, specifically focusing on the tiao-kuai governance system and its role in regional infrastructural development, using intercity railway projects as a case study. The tiao-kuai system, characterised by vertical (tiao) and horizontal (kuai) governance, illustrates the complex interplay between central authority and local autonomy. Drawing on the Territory, Place, Scale and Network (TPSN) framework, this study analyses how multi-scalar politics shape regional competition and governance strategies, particularly in the Yangtze and Pearl River Delta intercity railway projects. Our findings highlight tensions between national priorities and local interests, as well as negotiation processes between various levels of government. This article underscores the importance of both top-down and bottom-up dynamics in regional development, unfolding how state spatial strategies are operationalised in a hybrid model of governance. This study contributes to the understanding of state space and intergovernmental collaboration in China’s large-scale infrastructure projects.

Blockchain in supply chains: an unfulfilled promise

Purpose This paper investigates the influence of blockchain technology on trust and transparency within supply chain management. While existing research suggests blockchain has revolutionary potential, real-world evidence remains limited. This study aims to bridge this gap. Design/methodology/approach The research relies on transaction cost analysis and principal-agent theory to develop a conceptual model. The model proposes how blockchain fosters trust and transparency, ultimately leading to a market-based governance model within supply chains. Five different blockchain applications were analyzed in a multi-case study through document reviews and expert interviews to test the model’s assumptions. Findings The study’s findings challenge initial assumptions. The complexity of blockchain networks and a reluctance to share information among participants hinder blockchain technology’s ability to increase trust and transparency. Consequently, the expected reduction in opportunism and uncertainties is not observed, and a market-based governance model fails to materialize. In practice, supply chain partners gravitate toward permissioned blockchains managed by established consortia. Acting as trusted third parties, these consortia assume control over network management, rendering blockchain essentially unnecessary. Originality/value This paper sheds light on the practical limitations of blockchain technology in revolutionizing supply chain management. While blockchain promises much, the findings suggest that established consortia currently play a more critical role in fostering trust and transparency within supply chains.

‘Sowing and harvesting water’: Revisiting forest restoration in the Peruvian Andes through a multi‐stakeholder analysis

Abstract Efforts to restore Peru's megadiverse Andean Forests are rapidly growing. While ecological determinants for restoration success are well known, knowledge on the socio‐economic and governance conditions that allow for the success of ecological restoration using native species is scarce. Using a multi‐stakeholder approach, this paper analyses the motivations, preferences, success factors and governance models for effective ecological restoration of Andean Forests, through 75 semi‐structured interviews with local community members, NGOs and government actors in 11 restoration sites in Peru. We find that across sites and stakeholder groups, the primary motivations for Andean Forest restoration were tied to restoring and improving hydrological resources. Stakeholders valued Andean Forests mostly for their provisioning ecosystem services—with water provision valued by all stakeholders and firewood provision predominantly by communities—followed by regulating services (water retention and climate regulation). Restoration success—the degree of perceived achievement of project objectives—was high at all sites and scored between 2.4 and 3 out of 3. Enabling factors for the restoration success were mostly social and institutional. There was no ‘silver bullet’ to successful restoration; rather, enabling factors included high resource dependence of communities, support from NGOs, participatory management and governance, and the creation of communal conservation agreements. Communities emphasized primarily social and institutional limiting factors, while government stakeholders emphasized technical challenges. We further identified three typologies of how projects engage and compensate communities: a ‘payment model’, a ‘capacity model’ and a ‘mixed model’ which differ in their rentability, longevity and socio‐economic benefits provided. All stakeholder groups favoured active forest restoration and community members identified desirable native plant species with local use and hydrological value. Interviewees also highlighted that restoration needs to go beyond forests, and combine native tree planting, agroforestry, restoration of mountain grasslands and peatlands to holistically improve water resources and long‐term economic benefits at a landscape scale. Synthesis and applications. Andean Forest restoration projects need to consider hydrological ecosystem services in all key restoration stages. Communities need to be involved through participatory processes and receive long‐lasting benefits—both ecosystem services and livelihood incentives—to guarantee long‐term project success. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Public Administration and Educational Innovation: Case Studies

This paper examines the intersection of public administration and educational innovation through theoretical frameworks, historical contexts, and 15 case studies from Brazil. It examines how governance models, public-private partnerships, and collaborative networks have driven educational reform and innovation. By analyzing real-world examples, the study identifies challenges, such as resistance to change and funding constraints, and opportunities, such as digital advancements and adaptive strategies. The findings emphasize the role of public policy and administration in fostering a well-educated workforce while advocating for empirically validated pedagogical innovations. Recommendations include enhanced evaluations, adaptive strategies, and dissemination of successful practices to support global educational development. Keywords: Public Administration, Educational Innovation, Governance Models, Public-Private Partnerships, Collaborative Networks, Educational Policy.

Public Administration and Educational Innovation: Case Studies

This paper examines the intersection of public administration and educational innovation through theoretical frameworks, historical contexts, and 15 case studies from Brazil. It examines how governance models, public-private partnerships, and collaborative networks have driven educational reform and innovation. By analyzing real-world examples, the study identifies challenges, such as resistance to change and funding constraints, and opportunities, such as digital advancements and adaptive strategies. The findings emphasize the role of public policy and administration in fostering a well-educated workforce while advocating for empirically validated pedagogical innovations. Recommendations include enhanced evaluations, adaptive strategies, and dissemination of successful practices to support global educational development. Keywords: Public Administration, Educational Innovation, Governance Models, Public-Private Partnerships, Collaborative Networks, Educational Policy.

A Future of Governance in the Digital Era

In this paper, I provide an overview of digital government, covering its characteristics, scope, objectives, current status, and future potential. I believe digital government involves leveraging Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), particularly the internet, to transform the interaction between government and society positively. I briefly introduce two concurrent reform paradigms: the participatory and managerial approaches, striving to enhance the government's responsiveness, accessibility, transparency, responsibility, participation, shift, development, efficiency, and effectiveness. Additionally, I present digital government models that elucidate its development trends. I also outline the paper's target audience, structure, and educational objectives. Moreover, I introduce 'A Future of Governance in the Digital Era' as a novel paradigm in public administration studies, emphasizing the evolving role of digital technologies in public governance. I underscore the challenges posed to public administration and society by emerging digital technologies like big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain. By contrasting the evolving functions of digital technologies in government, public value creation, human resources, and governance, I argue that the theoretical and practical implications of 'A Future of Governance in the Digital Era' diverge from those of Dunleavy et al.'s 'Digital Era Governance'.

Status and prospects of research on new rural communities in China based on CiteSpace analysis

ABSTRACT New rural communities, as a model of rural residence, play a crucial role in rural development. This study utilizes the CNKI database and employs keyword analysis in CiteSpace to examine research on new rural communities in the 21st century. Findings reveal that: (1) The current research focuses on the necessity and promotion of national policies, identifying deficiencies in the policy system and improving. It also examines community planning systems, construction mode classifications, and performance evaluation methods, as well as governance models, stakeholders, and challenges. These areas are interconnected over time. (2) Time can be divided into three phases: the first phase, research focused on single elements such as health care, political construction, education, etc. with slow progress. The second stage, diversified explorations began, and policy research and practical reflection were coupled and developed. The third stage emphasizes more on the concern for humans, and the emphasis of the research is expanded from the material level to spiritual. (3) Present research has yielded significant outcomes, transitioning from empirical studies to profound theoretical analyzes. However, challenges persist, such as the absence of a comprehensive theoretical framework and methodological innovation. Future research should emphasize systematic exploration of policies, prioritize localized construction models, and drive research methodology innovation.

Decentralized autonomous organization in built environments: applications, potential and limitations

Abstracts The operations of built environment-related sectors are often run on centralized organizational structures. This centralized approach could lead to operational challenges that restrict efficiency, hinder transparency, and misalign with the community’s interests. The emergence of decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) presents a promising avenue for addressing these issues by leveraging blockchain technology and decentralized governance models. This paper presents a review of DAO, examining its existing applications, limitations, and potential use cases in the built environment. Seven categories of DAO applications in the built environment were identified and discussed. The study also explores DAO’s fundamentals, including its governance characteristics, operational mechanism, limitations and technical implementation, and corresponding challenges. Finally, this study highlights three potential areas in the built environment for future DAO use cases. This article serves as an essential reference for future academics, professionals, and policy regulators interested in learning more about the integrations of DAO in the built environment.

Bridging the work governance divide: Pluralism and performance

AbstractThis article introduces a new direction of studies that looks at the Workplace of the Future through enlarged interdisciplinary lenses. This article bridges the divide between different traditions – human resource management, industrial relations and economic democracy – arguing theoretically and demonstrating empirically their complementarity in designing a workplace that better responds to the challenges posed by increasingly conflicting demands, such as flexibility and safeguards; quality of life and quality of productive output; diversity of workforce; and diversity of contexts and institutions. We hypothesise and find (using the largest available dataset on work‐related systems CRANET) that the response may lie in adopting ‘pluralist’ work governance models, blending mechanisms that differ in kind and are recommended by different disciplinary traditions: ‘highly powered incentives’, worker representation and voice rights, communitarian practices and formal personnel systems. We also show that pluralist systems in the ‘private governance’ sphere are complementary with strong labour‐related institutions in the ‘public governance’ of work; and indicate how those findings can lead to a better understanding of how to take into account institutions, such as governments, regulations and industries, in shaping and designing the workplace of the future. In particular, the finding that a pluralist configuration consistently outperforms other configurations across industries and countries suggests that a pluralist trait may be a universally valid attribute of workplace governance, even though the specific mechanisms that create that variety are different and context‐dependent.