Governance System Research Articles

E-Governments in Africa

Multiple authors have come to view Africa as a victim of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), a continent which has not been able to take part as one of the driving forces of this technological advancement. This is more so true when considering the state of the African continent during the first, second and third industrial revolutions where Africa's role had been of a more minimal nature. This assumption is however not true when considering how multiple countries in Africa have embraced and entrenched technology into the daily operations of their government institutions during the 4IR. Furthermore, it can be identified that the introduction of the 4IR has only led to an increase in the efficiency and effectiveness of African governments and their institutions in the act of service delivery. This illustrates that not only is the African continent ready for this revolution but that it has also been able to take advantage of it. This paper aims to illustrate the growing potential of digitalisation and e-government in African states. It will do this by providing an observation of the development that technology has fostered better service delivery using five African states as case studies, namely South Africa, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda and Tunisia. It aims to analyse the transformations that have taken place from the periods of 2000 to 2022 whether they be an increase in the overall quality of the services provided, or a reduction in time required for the execution of those said services. The paper uses secondary sources as a mechanism to analyse the impact that the introduction of technology has had on government systems in the five African countries. The main focus will be on the ministries of home affairs, finance, education, transport and health and how the incorporation of technology into these departments and departments that are of similar interests in the other countries has assisted in the improvement of the effectiveness of service delivery of these departments.

The deformation of democracy in the United States: When does bureaucratic “neutral competence” rise to complicity?

AbstractRecent years have seen a step‐change in the severity and nature of threats to United States democracy, including extensive efforts by elected officials to undercut democratic governance. When elected officials undermine democracy, this constitutes “deformation of democracy.” As implementors and agents of policy, public administrators can sometimes play essential roles as bulwarks against democratic deformation. However, among public administrators there is historically a strong ethos emphasizing neutral competence and subordination to political authority, in some cases reinforced by law. How should public administrators respond when confronted by deformation and, at the same time, constrained by tradition and law? We selectively review strands of public administration theory, focusing on theory especially relevant to the United States governmental system, to construct and assess a catalog of responses that public administrators can take under democratic deformation. We conclude by offering a set of recommendations focused on institutionalized collective action by public administrators.

Unpacking Polycentric Climate Governance: Tracing the Evolution of Transnational Municipal Networks over Time

Abstract All governance systems are polycentric to some extent in that they comprise multiple actors with varying degrees of autonomy. However, there has been limited theorization as to how we might measure polycentricity, even though this could help us unpack networks and understand governance arrangements better. We present three dimensions of governance to conceptualize degrees of polycentricity—governance of networks (internal organization and management at the network level), governance by networks (their impacts at the membership level), and governance with networks (collaboration with other actors at the system level). We then trace the evolution of three transnational municipal networks (the Climate Alliance, Covenant of Mayors, and 100 Resilient Cities/Resilient Cities Network), which are located at different positions along the polycentric–monocentric spectrum. We examine how these networks have become more or less polycentric over time and highlight trade-offs between different dimensions of polycentric governance, most notably governance of and governance by.

A Comparative Analysis of the UK Corporate Governance Systems in Providing Guidance to Directors on Intercompany Guarantees.

A Comparative Analysis of the UK Corporate Governance Systems in Providing Guidance to Directors on Intercompany Guarantees.

Penerapan Good Governance pada Pemerintahan Daerah Ditinjau dari Perkembangan Ilmu Pemerintahan

The state government system is an important part of a country. In implementing regional independence, to be able to carry out its benefits well, regional authorities are required to create regulations for managing goog in each region. The rules of a good regime relate to how regional authorities, whether regency or city, act as policy executives, whether national or local policy. While the rules for good governance relate to how regional authorities implement regional level policies, this is also related to how regional authorities are able to carry out the policies that regional authorities want to implement.

Digital age: The path choice of government-citizen value co-creation

This study explores the relationship between government and citizen in the digital age and proposes a specific path to realize the value co-creation of government and citizen in the digital age. Quantitative analysis of 40 policy texts on “digital government construction” of 30 provincial and municipal governments in China before November 2022 was conducted using NVivo12. The case of Minsheng Cloud revealed that provincial and municipal government departments have not paid sufficient attention to citizen participation. Furthermore, citizens' participation ability and enthusiasm are not high. The study found that in the process of strengthening the construction of digital government, “government optimisation”, “citizen participation”, “governance guarantee”, “data governance” and “government digitization” are the key elements. We discuss the feasibility, necessity and coupling of the value co-creation theory to establish the benign interaction between government and citizens and realize co-creation. We find that the “DART” model can be co-created based on value, and that the continuous Improving the four aspects of “dialogue”, “access”, “transparency” and “risk assessment” will undoubtedly help realize the value co-creation of government and citizens in the digital era, and form a governance pattern of co-construction and sharing. It is therefore of great significance to promote the government's digital construction and digital governance capability to accelerate the construction of digital China and promote the modernisation of the national governance system and governance capability.

Business and human rights as Swedish foreign policy: The soft implementation of international regulatory norms

AbstractThis article aims to explain why national governments choose soft policies in the domestication of international norms even when those norms may explicitly call for harder measures. The article achieves this aim by exploring domestic adoption of National Action Plans (NAPs) for implementing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The UNGPs are an international soft law instrument that calls for a mix of voluntary and mandatory policies to promote human rights due diligence, and NAPs are soft domestic policy instruments that lack the bindingness of mandatory due diligence legislation now found in several states. Most governments with NAPs have adopted them specifically as foreign policies, treating them not as regulatory initiatives but as tools for enhancing national reputations. Using a range of primary and secondary sources, the article constructs a case study of Sweden to explain why governments might opt for softer implementation of the UNGPs in the form of NAPs. It draws several conclusions: (1) governments may emulate the approach to domesticating international regulatory norms that is promoted by international organisations; (2) support from domestic actors motivates norm implementation, and the policy style selected is likely to reflect power constellations in the state and, under consensus‐based governance systems, the lowest common denominator of actor preferences; and (3) path dependency following institutional venue selection influences the type of policy developed and adopted. These findings shed new light on the reasons why international policy norms are implemented in ‘softer’ ways than perhaps intended by their architects.

PRACTICES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NEPAL

This article has mirrored the positive and negative aspects of good governance in Nepal. It has explored both weaknesses and strengths of good governance implications in the system of operation of various organs of the government of Nepal under the new constitution 2015 as envisioned by the legislatures via the Constitution Assembly. Despite the fact that democracy is the precondition of good governance, Nepal, being a democratic nation, lacks a proper functioning form of good governance. Several rules and strategies for good governance are included in Nepal's constitution and other laws. They are, nevertheless, constrained by the black letters of legislation and court judgments. Even Nepal's Supreme Court has issued multiple verdicts on the question of good governance. The division into central, federal, and local governance only can't fulfill Nepal’s good governance needs. But, to manage difficulties within and between municipal, provincial, and federal governments; development projects and governance plans necessitate a sustainable problem-solving mechanism. One cannot deny that Nepal's governance system is still in its early stages of improvisation. However, in the coming days, vital actions will be more important than the provisions guaranteed by the Constitution but never implemented practically.

Industrial Chain Leader System for green governance: Evidence from a Chinese resource‐based city

AbstractThe Chain Leader System (CLS) is a novel concept of industrial development proposed by the Chinese local government. Initially, it was aimed at chain extension, supplementation, and advancement to address the impact of external uncertainties. However, there has been debate about whether political power from CLS will lead to inefficiencies in green governance. This study aims to formalize industrial CLS for green governance. A survey was conducted to assess public acceptance and the validity of CLS in a resource‐based city. The results indicate that CLS, when aligned with green governance goals, effectively corresponds with market rationality and public value. It is evident that CLS represents a collective effort toward effective governance rather than simply extending industrial chains or enhancing resilience. The efficiency of green governance within CLS is influenced by the factors including communication platform, enterprises' carbon sinks and green clustering, citizens' adoption of green transportation, and communication among different stakeholders. This study provides valuable insights for the governments seeking to establish an efficient CLS that aligns with both market principles and well‐functioning government.

The Study on The Direction of Local Government System and Direction of Innovation City in Gyeongnam and Busan

The Study on The Direction of Local Government System and Direction of Innovation City in Gyeongnam and Busan

Dual Systems of Urban Villages: Autonomy and Informal Governance Mechanisms of Yuan Village in Guangzhou

Implementing demolition and transformation policies in urban villages is essential for effective urban governance. However, these villages possess distinctive governance models and entities that set them apart from general urban and rural communities. This study examines the autonomous “informal governance” process in Guangzhou's Yuancun urban village through a case study approach. It investigates the formation mechanisms of the “dual system”. The study underlines the significance of grassroots innovation and the Chinese Communist Party's role in attaining governance autonomy. Despite the government's aim to integrate urban villages into the urban governance system, persistent challenges arise from these unique models and entities. The Village Company plays a pivotal role in promoting stable governance through participatory practices and economic advantages. Resolving the complex issues in urban villages necessitates integrated economic, political, and social solutions. Empowering the Village Company to handle specific public affairs can facilitate the transition towards the modernization of grassroots governance.

Fungsi Dewan Perwakilam Rakyat Dalam Pembentukan Peraturan Daerah

Introduction: Article 1 paragraph 3 of the Republic of Indonesia Constitution provides legal guarantees. The Indonesian state in its government system has developed in terms of state institutions which we usually know as decentralization, the presence of the DPRD as a legislative institution or people's representative institution has the task of regulating regional government. Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government, the DPRD has duties and authorities at the provincial and district/city levels, one of which is forming regional regulations.Purposes of the Research: This study aims to etermine the whether the function of forming regional regulations is an obligation for the DPRD, and the legal consequences if the function of forming regional regulations is not carried out by the DPRD.Methods of the Research: This study use normative juridical research, which to find out whether the function of forming regional regulations is an obligation for the DPRD, and the legal consequences if the function of forming regional regulations is not carried out the DPRD.Results of the Research: unction forming regional regulations as obligation of the DPRD is regulated in Law No. 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government. in making regional regulations, authority is given by Bapemperda whose authority regulated by Article 52 PP No. 12 of 2018 concerning Guidelines for Preparing Provincial, Regency, City DPRD tatips. Bapemperda in exercising its authority to form regional regulations is outlined in the Propemperda. The authority given by this law is expected that the DPRD can understand its function an obligation. Among them is the function of forming regional regulations as an obligation of the DPRD. legal consequences for the DPRD not carrying out the function of forming regional regulations based on the problems raised by the author are that there are legal sanctions for the DPRD.

ONE CRISIS WITHIN ANOTHER: COPING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Although Covid-19 has aggravated and initiated mental health concerns to domestic violence (DV) victims, there is a worrying lack of measures meant to DV victims in the context of a pandemic. This study aims to (a) identify and understand the types of domestic violence experienced by women during the pandemic, as well as the consequences in social and work contexts, (b) assess the coping strategies of abuse victims, and (c) identify the gap in government and organizational support for DV victims. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct in-depth interviews with 19 Malaysian women. NVIVO 8 was utilised for thematic analysis. The qualitative findings suggest that there was an increase in gender-based violence in Malaysia during the lockdown, with psychological abuse appearing to be the most prevalent. Despite the difficulties, the majority of victims who were exploited during the lockdown did not report the abuse and instead employed avoidance-based coping mechanisms. Negative passive-avoidance and negative active-avoidance were the most prevalent coping mechanisms. The findings also indicate that eradicating domestic violence would necessitate a broader, more coordinated, and integrated system of government and organizational support. This is the first study to evaluate the serious impact of domestic violence on working Malaysian women in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. As a result, it provides a wealth of information and could serve as a firm basis for designing effective psychological interventions for women in countries with similar cultural and societal norms to Malaysia.

Overcoming Barriers and Fostering Adoption: Evaluating the Institutional Mainstreaming of Nature-Based Solutions in the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Socio-Ecological System

International organizations like the EU and IUCN are advocating for nature-based solutions (NBSs) as green alternatives for climate change adaptation and mitigation, especially in disaster risk reduction and urban planning. The H2020 OPERANDUM project was designed to address the major hydro-meteorological risks (floods, droughts, landslides, storm surge, and coastal erosions) through the deployment and assessment of NBSs in different contexts and areas affected by specific hazards. Despite growing research and funding, NBSs are still in the early stages of mainstream adoption and face challenges in acceptance and dissemination. Although designed to benefit both social and ecological systems, they remain a niche area with low perceived effectiveness among technicians and decision-makers. Their uptake requires a paradigm shift that includes a change in cultural-cognitive institutions, a different and wider set of knowledge than traditional engineering (ecological, social), and an adaptive management approach, missing within the current governance system. Using a qualitative case study research method, this paper aims to identify barriers in mainstreaming NBSs for DRR (disaster risk reduction) in the Emilia-Romagna region—influenced not only by individual beliefs but also by variables tied to technical culture and local procedural norms—and emphasizing the importance of combining social and ecological indicators in socio-ecological system analysis.

PENGARUH PENERAPAN WEBSITE E-PERSURATAN TERHADAP KINERJA KANTOR KESYAHBANDARAN DAN OTORITAS PELABUHAN KELAS I SAMARINDA

The aim of this research is to find out how the E-Persorat system is implemented and its influence on the Harbor Master's Office and Class I Samarinda Port Authority. This research uses a quantitative research design. The object of this research is the users of the E-Persuratan Website, namely all employees. The data analysis technique used was carried out with the help of statistics and the data analysis used was descriptive and multiple linear regression. The division of testing includes instrument requirements using validity and reliability tests, data analysis requirements testing using linearity tests and data analysis testing using multiple linear regression tests and hypotheses (T test). Based on the analysis test results, it was found that the implementation of the E-Persuratan website had an effect on the performance of the Harbor Master's office and the Samarinda Class I Port Authority. Meanwhile, the implementation of the governance system has no effect on office performance. The phenomenon of these results can be seen from the data validity test of the two variables which are considered valid, the reliability of the two variables is considered valid, the linearity of the two variables is calculated linearly, the multiple linear regression analysis shows that there is a unidirectional relationship between the two variables, while the hypothesis test shows that there is an influence on the variables Website Use and The system usage variable has no influence on office performance

관광과 지역 정체성 정치

Despite being one of Korea's six major cities during the Japanese colonial era, Mokpo has declined to a small local city post-liberation. Since the establishment of the local government system, Mokpo has aimed to reinvent itself as a tourist destination. Over the past 20 years, the city has implemented six major tourism development and promotion projects, including night scenery lighting, a marine music fountain, urban regeneration of the old city center, a suspension cable car, hotel construction on Samhakdo Island, and branding Mokpo as a “romantic harbor city.” Throughout this process, there have been conflicts, competition, and cooperation with various civic and local interest groups. This research, based on related studies and Logan & Molotch's (2007) growth machine theory, analyzes how different groups formed growth and anti-growth coalitions and how they struggled over six key projects. Newspaper articles documenting these conflicts, competition, and cooperation were reviewed. To enhance reliability and validity, peer review and an interview with a local newspaper editor were conducted. The findings show that while the growth machine theory is useful in examining Mokpo's coalitions and their conflicts, it has limitations in fully explaining the phenomenon's complexity. The study concludes by discussing future research directions and the role of deliberative democracy in sustaining Mokpo's development as a tourist city.

Using digital technology as a platform to strengthen the continuum of care at community level for maternal, child and adolescent health in Tanzania: introducing the Afya-Tek program

Inadequate care within Tanzania’s primary health system contributes to thousands of preventable maternal and child deaths, and unwanted pregnancies each year. A key contributor is lack of coordination between three primary healthcare actors: public sector Community Health Workers (CHWs) and health facilities, and private sector Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets (ADDOs). The Afya-Tek program aims to improve the continuity of care amongst these actors in Kibaha district, through a mobile-application based digital referral system that focuses on improving maternal, child and adolescent health. The digital system called Afya-Tek was co-created with users and beneficiaries, and utilises open-source technology in-line with existing government systems. The system guides healthcare actors with individualised decision support during client visits and recommends accurate next steps (education, treatment, or referral). From July 2020 to June 2023, a total of 241,000 individuals were enrolled in the Afya-Tek program covering 7,557 pregnant women, 6,582 postpartum women, 45,900 children, and 25,700 adolescents. CHWs have conducted a total of 626,000 home visits to provide health services, including screening clients for danger signs. This has resulted in 38,100 referrals to health facilities and 24,300 linkages to ADDOs. At the ADDO level, 48,552 clients self-presented; 33% of children with pneumonia symptoms received Amoxicillin; 34% of children with diarrhoea symptoms received ORS and zinc; and 4,203 referrals were made to nearest health facilities. Adolescents preferred services at ADDOs as a result of increased perceived privacy and confidentiality. In total, 89% of all referrals were attended by health facilities. As the first digital health program in Tanzania to demonstrate the linkage among public and private sector primary healthcare actors, Afya-Tek holds promise to improve maternal, child and adolescent health as well as for scale-up and sustainability, through incorporation of other disease conditions and integration with government’s Unified Community System (UCS).

Social and Psychological Trauma of Human Trafficking: Albanian Women Case

Human trafficking is a phenomenon with a long history during the centuries. In Albania country, human trafficking has existed for a long time, even during the communist period. The post-communist period has been ranked as the top period for human trafficking and human slavery. As a result of the phenomena of the collapse of communism after 1990, in Albanian society happened so many changes in the field of government and political system, the opening of boundaries toward all countries of the world or free movement toward all countries, liberalisation of the economy, social and cultural changes etc. Most researchers evaluated this period as a transition period in political, social, economic and cultural. So this situation created a good field for developing human trafficking within Albania. Although the human trafficking phenomenon has been explored in the post-communist society, in the transition period till nowadays have been growing and extended more. The functioning of the government and low security made it possible for the mafia to be stronger in human trafficking too. So, Albania has been a bridge country for human trafficking from Eastern countries toward Greece, Italy, European Countries and other countries of the world. Women and children were and are still primary victims of sex slavery and are included in varying sexual activities like prostitution, stripping, sex tourism, pornography etc. In this paper, we are going to explain human trafficking as a type of modern slavery that is formed as sex trafficking. In this case, we are going to discuss the psychological trauma that sex trafficking affects Albanian women. Are these victims still able to continue their own lives? Do they fill their selves ignored by the society where they are living? What are their psychological traumas caused in their character and does this trauma affect their life? Also, we are going to discuss for social trauma that is caused in Albanian society during the human trafficking have happened in the post-communist period till today. What are the pathologies that human trafficking (in this case sex trafficking) brings to Albanian society and the different social actors? Received: 2 June 2024 / Accepted: 25 July 2024 / Published: 29 July 2024

DOES FIRM VALUE MATTER? EMPIRICAL EVIDANCE FROM INDONESIA

The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt the entire government and corporate financial system, making it difficult for businesses to distribute dividends. During the COVID-19 epidemic, this study examines the possible impact of financial statements on firm value by considering dividend policy as a moderating factor. This research employs a quantitative methodology, utilizing purposive sampling techniques and secondary data. The sample data includes all public companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange between 2020 and 2022. There are 127 sample data. We conducted the test using SmartPLS software. Researchers looked at three financial parameters: profitability, leverage, and liquidity. The research results show that leverage and profitability, not liquidity, can influence firm value. The impact of dividend policy on the relationship between profitability and company value is evident, while it does not affect leverage or liquidity. To identify this problem accurately, the researchers used signal theory to get accurate results in identifying this problem. We hope the research results will alert investors to exercise caution when purchasing shares, particularly in manufacturing companies.

Empowering nurses to champion Health equity & BE FAIR: Bias elimination for fair and responsible AI in healthcare.

The concept of health equity by design encompasses a multifaceted approach that integrates actions aimed at eliminating biased, unjust, and correctable differences among groups of people as a fundamental element in the design of algorithms. As algorithmic tools are increasingly integrated into clinical practice at multiple levels, nurses are uniquely positioned to address challenges posed by the historical marginalization of minority groups and its intersections with the use of "big data" in healthcare settings; however, a coherent framework is needed to ensure that nurses receive appropriate training in these domains and are equipped to act effectively. We introduce the Bias Elimination for Fair AI in Healthcare (BE FAIR) framework, a comprehensive strategic approach that incorporates principles of health equity by design, for nurses to employ when seeking to mitigate bias and prevent discriminatory practices arising from the use of clinical algorithms in healthcare. By using examples from a "real-world" AI governance framework, we aim to initiate a wider discourse on equipping nurses with the skills needed to champion the BE FAIR initiative. Drawing on principles recently articulated by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, we conducted a critical examination of the concept of health equity by design. We also reviewed recent literature describing the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in healthcare as well as their potential for advancing health equity. Building on this context, we describe the BE FAIR framework, which has the potential to enable nurses to take a leadership role within health systems by implementing a governance structure to oversee the fairness and quality of clinical algorithms. We then examine leading frameworks for promoting health equity to inform the operationalization of BE FAIR within a local AI governance framework. The application of the BE FAIR framework within the context of a working governance system for clinical AI technologies demonstrates how nurses can leverage their expertise to support the development and deployment of clinical algorithms, mitigating risks such as bias and promoting ethical, high-quality care powered by big data and AI technologies. As health systems learn how well-intentioned clinical algorithms can potentially perpetuate health disparities, we have an opportunity and an obligation to do better. New efforts empowering nurses to advocate for BE FAIR, involving them in AI governance, data collection methods, and the evaluation of tools intended to reduce bias, mark important steps in achieving equitable healthcare for all.