Institute For Public Policy Research Research Articles

Human Capital and Performance of Kisii and Kakamega County Governments in Kenya

Decentralization in Kenya aimed to reduce bureaucratic delays and improve service delivery by transferring power to sub-national governments. Yet, governance challenges persist mainly due to unqualified staff, nepotism, cronyism, among others. The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis found 32% of county governments staff lack the required qualifications for their roles, leading to inefficiencies and service delivery gaps. Despite these concerns, no empirical research has explored the influence of human capital on the performance of Kisii and Kakamega county governments. This study addresses this gap by assessing the effect of human capital on performance of Kisii and Kakamega counties in Kenya. The study adopts a positivism research philosophy and a cross-sectional survey research design. The target population comprised of Chief officers, Directors and Assistant Director at various ministries, sub-county administrators and Members of County Assembly (N=325). To arrive at a statistically sound sample size, the study adopted the Yamane (1967) formula for sample size determination, which gives a sample size of 136 for Kakamega County and 92 for Kisii County (n=228). Given that the study is quantitative in nature, it adopts structured questionnaires in data collection, which were distributed using online platform (Google Forms). In data analysis, Stata version 17 was used to compute descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and univariate linear regression). Data was presented in prose form and visualized using tables and figures. Findings from the test of hypothesis using simple linear regression indicate that human capital has a statistically significant effect on performance (p<.05). Results revealed that human capital has a moderate positive association with performance, 𝑟 (191) =0.486, 𝑝<.05. It is recommended that the County Governments of Kisii and Kakamega should improve human capital by implementing performance contracting, eliminating political patronage, and investing in innovation infrastructure. Additionally, county governments should develop well-documented SOPs, ensure regular employee training, and embrace public participation to align policies with citizens’ needs.

“There are strengths that are vast”

“There are strengths that are vast”

The impact of skills and training on local development

The impact of skills and training on local development

Darkness, Datafication, and Provenance as an Illuminating Methodology

Darkness, Datafication, and Provenance as an Illuminating Methodology

Making a #Stepchange? Investigating the Alignment of Learning Analytics and Student Wellbeing in United Kingdom Higher Education Institutions

In recent years there has been growing concern around student wellbeing and in particular student mental-health. Numerous newspaper articles (Ferguson, 2017; Shackle, 2019) have been published on the topic and a BBC 3 documentary (Byrne, 2017) was produced on the topic of student suicide. These have coincided with a number of United Kingdom Higher Education sector initiatives and reports, the highest profile of these being the Universities United Kingdom “#StepChange” report (Universities UK, 2017) and the Institute for Public Policy Research “Not By Degrees” report (“Not by Degrees: Improving Student Mental Health in the UK’s Universities” 2017). Simultaneously, learning analytics has been growing as a field in the United Kingdom, with a number of institutions running services predominantly based on student retention and progression, the majority of which make use of the Jisc Learning Analytics service. Much of the data used in these services is behavioral data: interactions with various IT systems, attendance at events and/or engagement with library services. Wellbeing research indicates that since changes in wellbeing, are indicated by changes in behavior, these changes could be identified via learning analytics. Research has also shown that students react very emotively to learning analytics data and that this may impact on their wellbeing. The 2017 Universities United Kingdom (UUK) #StepChange report states: “Institutions are encouraged to align learning analytics to the mental health agenda to identify change in students’ behaviors and to address risks and target support.” (Universities UK, 2017). This study was undertaken in the 2018/19 academic year, a year after the launch of the #StepChange framework and after the formal transition of Jisc’s learning analytics work with partner HEIs to a national learning analytics service. With further calls for whole institutional responses to address student wellbeing and mental health concerns, including the recently published University Mental Health Charter this study aims to answer two questions. Firstly, is there evidence of the #StepChange recommendation being adopted in current learning analytics implementations? Secondly, has there been any consideration of the impact on staff and student wellbeing and mental health resulting from the introduction of learning analytics? Analysis of existing learning analytics applications have found that there is insufficient granularity in the data used to be able to identify changes in an individual’s behavior at a required level, in addition this data is collected with insufficient context to be able to truly understand what the data represents. Where there are connections between learning analytics and student support these are related to student retention and academic performance. Although it has been identified that learning analytics can impact on student and staff behaviors, there is no evidence of staff and student wellbeing being considered in current policies or in the existing policy frameworks. The recommendation from the 2017 Stepchange framework has not been met and reviews of current practices need to be undertaken if learning analytics is to be part of Mentally Healthy Universities moving forward. In conclusion, although learning analytics is a growing field and becoming operationalized within United Kingdom Higher Education it is still in its reactive infancy. Current data models rely on proxies for student engagement and may not truly represent student behaviors. At this time there is inadequate sophistication for the use of learning analytics to identify student wellbeing concerns. However, as with all technologies, learning analytics is not benign, and changes to ways of working impact on both staff and students, wellbeing professionals should be included as key stakeholders in the development of learning analytics and student support policies and wellbeing considerations explicitly mentioned and taken into account.

Coronavirus fears leave families less likely to seek residential care

Nursing and Residential CareVol. 22, No. 8 News AnalysisCoronavirus fears leave families less likely to seek residential careMelissa McAleesMelissa McAleesFreelance journalistSearch for more papers by this authorMelissa McAleesPublished Online:21 Jul 2020https://doi.org/10.12968/nrec.2020.22.8.2aAboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Independent Age. Comment on research about affect of COVID-19 on care. 2020. https://tinyurl.com/ycf4uhrn (accessed 13 June 2020) Google ScholarOffice for National Statistics. Number of deaths in care homes notified to the Care Quality Commission, England. 2020. https://tinyurl.com/y6uzorkw (accessed 13 June 2020) Google ScholarSocial Care Institute for Excellence. ‘A sorry indictment’. SCIE response to survey. 2020. https://tinyurl.com/y9pjhlu7 (accessed 13 June 2020) Google ScholarThe Department for Health and Social Care. Whole home testing rolled out to all care homes in England. 2020. https://tinyurl.com/y9pk43zh (accessed 13 June 2020) Google ScholarThe Institute for Public Policy Research. A third of people less likely to seek residential social care for relatives in wake of Covid-19 crisis, poll finds. 2020. https://tinyurl.com/y9chg2hn (accessed 13 June 2020) Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 August 2020Volume 22Issue 8ISSN (print): 1465-9301ISSN (online): 2052-2932 Metrics History Published online 21 July 2020 Published in print 2 August 2020 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Tacit Knowledge Management at the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis

Tacit knowledge is seen as difficult to be shared in an organisation owing to its intuitive, versatile and practice-based nature. Consequently, tacit knowledge is not well-understood or valued in most organisations and more so in public institutions. The purpose of the study was to investigate how the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) manages tacit knowledge as an intangible asset and also to recommend a framework or model for the management of tacit knowledge for a competitive advantage and development at the KIPPRA. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, with interviews and observation methods constituting the primary data collection methods. The study targeted 60 employees of KIPPRA consisting of researchers, young professionals, heads of divisions, a knowledge manager and administrative staff. The qualitative data collected were organised, categorised and reported verbatim. Among the key findings were that KIPPRA has the capacity for tacit knowledge sharing, capture, transfer and storage that have not been capitalised on. Further, employees experience challenges such as the identification and understanding of tacit knowledge, access to tacit knowledge sharing platforms, access to expertise with specific tacit knowledge, tacit knowledge hoarding, individualism, and ICT-related challenges in accessing tacit knowledge. Finally, the study recommends the adoption of a proposed framework for managing tacit knowledge at the KIPPRA.

The potential and pitfalls of learning analytics as a tool for supporting student wellbeing

Learning Analytics is a growing field in UK Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) with many implementations focusing on Early Alert and Student Success, but is this putting the cart before the horse? In the 2017 #StepChange report Universities UK suggested that learning analytics should be aligned to student wellbeing. With reported increases in incidents of student mental ill-health and extra demands being placed on student support services as a consequence this seems an appropriate application of this technology. However, there are a number of concerns related to student privacy and the interpretation and presentation of the analytics. Also, who will be designing and performing interventions? At a time when there is growing concerns around the wellbeing of staff, should we be adding a further burden? Do we risk being eaten by the analytics crocodile? It is clear that to utilise learning analytics in this way poses a number of challenges, but in the information age, when this data is available to us is it moral or legal to remain the caterpillar, knowing nothing of who our students are? With Institute for Public Policy Research stating that “…a majority of HEIs should take measures to ensure that the nature of course content and delivery does not result in academic rigour being sought at the expense of students’ mental health and wellbeing.” we should be doing all we can to adequately and pro-actively support our students.

Higher education, unbundling, and the end of the university as we know it

Higher education, unbundling, and the end of the university as we know it

Chapter 8 – Media reporting of migrants and migration

Chapter 8 – Media reporting of migrants and migration

Developing reconfiguration plans for integrated urgent and emergency care systems [EUCSs] – An examination of stakeholder perspectives of change

Introduction: While proponents of integrated EUCSs claim that such models deliver higher quality, safety and efficiency standards without introducing spatial inequalities [1], a conflicting view is that reconfiguration is usually performed for political reasons and represents a conflict of values between different stakeholder groups [2]. A series of EUCS reconfiguration programmes have recently been implemented, albeit to varying degrees, in the Republic of Ireland. This study investigated stakeholder perspectives on the rationale of this initiative. It considered the hypothesis that individuals from different stakeholder groups will endorse different positions in relation to reconfiguration. Methods: Documentary analysis was used to identify the official justifications for change in region-specific reconfiguration planning documents. Semi-structured interviews with 175 purposively sampled stakeholders explored their perspectives on the rationale for this remodelling of care across the country. They comprised ‘internal’ (hospital staff) and ‘external’ stakeholders (general practitioners, ambulance personnel and members of the public including local politicians and hospital campaign groups). Framework analysis was used. Results: While a majority of stakeholders agreed with the need for an accessible and well-functioning health system, their understanding of what it meant and how it should be achieved in the delivery of urgent and emergency care varied considerably between the two stakeholder groups. There was some cynicism predominantly among external stakeholders as to the true motivations behind reconfiguration. They broadly perceived decision-making around service change to be influenced by political and cost-saving concerns. Discussions: Findings mirror experiences in other countries [2]. Considerable public angst has been documented over the safety issue of centralising services and associated risks potentially involved in having to travel longer distances for emergency care [3]. People have perceived service change as cuts to services [4]. Proponents of change have tended to emphasise the perceived quality and safety benefits of reconfiguration rather than focusing on cost-savings [5]. Conclusions: When it comes to reconfiguration, there are clear differences depending on stakeholder position on what a health service should look like in the delivery of EUCS care. A ‘win for all’ scenario is perceived as unattainable for there is always a trade-off of interest. Understanding what concerns the public and the trade-offs that patients and their families are prepared to make when deliberating over major service change would help those tasked with planning EUCS provision to make decisions that address the range of issues at hand. Lessons learned: Where regions have not been fully reconfigured, findings will inform those in the driving seat of change of the diversity of viewpoints on EUCSs. It will enable them to understand the concerns, misconceptions and conflicting perspectives that hinder a united effort to improving care. Limitations: This was a retrospective study. There was also discrepancy in the sum of stakeholders interviewed in each region, particularly in one region, although extensive and well documented reconfiguration had taken place there which provided a larger sample frame to recruit from. Suggestions for future research: The extent to which lessons learned from this study inform EUCS policy implementation in regions not fully reconfigured is a possible avenue for research.

Supporting men's health

Journal of Health VisitingVol. 4, No. 9 EditorialSupporting men's healthPolly MoffatPolly MoffatSearch for more papers by this authorPolly MoffatPublished Online:22 Sep 2016https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2016.4.9.437AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View articleReferencesCory G, Stirling A (2015) Who's breadwinning in Europe? A Comparative Analysis of Maternal Breadwinning in Great Britain And Germany. Institute for Public Policy Research, London Google ScholarEgger HL, Angold A (2006) Common emotional and behavioral disorders inpreschool children: presentation, nosology, and epidemiology. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 47(3/4): 313–37 Crossref, Google ScholarHamblin E (2016) Gender and children and young people's emotional and mental health: manifestations and responses. NCB, London Google ScholarKnapton S (2016) Being sole breadwinner is bad for men's health but good for women. www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/08/19/being-sole-breadwinner-is-bad-for-mens-health-but-good-for-women (accessed 12 September 2016) Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 September 2016Volume 4Issue 9ISSN (print): 2050-8719ISSN (online): 2052-2908 Metrics History Published online 22 September 2016 Published in print 2 September 2016 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

NHS ‘transformation fund’ should be set up, urge think-tanks

British Journal of Healthcare AssistantsVol. 9, No. 8 Health MattersNHS ‘transformation fund’ should be set up, urge think-tanksPeter BradleyPeter BradleySearch for more papers by this authorPeter BradleyPublished Online:12 Aug 2015https://doi.org/10.12968/bjha.2015.9.8.418AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Health Foundation, King's Fund (2015) Making Change Possible: a Transformation Fund for the NHS. http://tinyurl.com/oa667sg (accessed 23 July 2015) Google ScholarMuir R, Quilter-Pinner H, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) (2015) Powerful People: Reinforcing The Power Of Citizens And Communities In Health And Care. http://tinyurl.com/pbwu8tq (accessed 23 July 2015) Google ScholarPym H (2015) The health budget – under strain again. www.bbc.co.uk/news/33612868 (accessed 23 July 2015) Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 August 2015Volume 9Issue 8ISSN (print): 1753-1586ISSN (online): 2052-4420 Metrics History Published online 12 August 2015 Published in print 2 August 2015 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

‘Crony Capitalism’ And The ACA

‘Crony Capitalism’ And The ACA

Digest & Documentation Author

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Additional informationNotes on contributorsABOUT THE AUTHORAlexander Ramsbotham has been working with peacebuilding NGO Conciliation Resources since August 2009 as Head of Accord and Series Editor. Before this he was a research fellow in the international programme at the Institute for Public Policy Research. Alexander worked as specialist adviser to the House of Lords European Union (EU) Select Committee in its inquiry into the EU Strategy for Africa, prior to which he was head of the Peace and Security Programme at the United Nations Association-UK. He has also been an associate fellow of the International Security Programme at Chatham House. Alexander completed a PhD in Peace Studies at the University of Bradford in July 2011 and edits the Digest and Documentation sections of the Taylor and Francis Journal, International Peacekeeping.

DIGEST & DOCUMENTATION

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size ABOUT THE AUTHORAlexander Ramsbotham has been working with Conciliation Resources as Head of Accord and Series Editor since August 2009. Previously he was a Research Fellow in the International Programme at the Institute for Public Policy Research; Specialist Adviser to the House of Lords' European Union Select Committee in its inquiry into the EU Strategy for Africa; Associate Fellow in the International Security Programme at Chatham House; and Head of the Peace and Security Programme at the United Nations Association-UK. Alexander completed a Ph.D. in July 2011.

Delivering Social Sustainability Outcomes in New Communities: The Role of the Elected Councillor

A 2011 Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) report calculated that an additional 750,000 homes would be needed by 2025 to meet projected demand in the UK. If this is to be achieved, a significant number of new communities will be developed over the next decade. Local councillors have considerable potential in influencing the social sustainability of such new developments, particularly in the context of the current “Localism” agenda in the UK. However, this role of the local councilor is not well understood. The aim of this project was to explore the role of the local councillor in improving such outcomes. We selected two rural greenfield and two urban regeneration sites as case studies. Planning officers and local councillors were interviewed across the sites in order to identify factors that can lead to improved social sustainability. Emerging themes indicate the importance of the councillor’s role in community engagement and consultation, the changing nature of relationships, the importance of appropriate and timely infrastructure, and models of governance and accountability. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for policy.

Institutions and the Performance of Services Funded by the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) in Kenya

Abstract We investigate the effect of institutions on the delivery of services funded by the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) in meeting constituents' needs in Kenya. Using household survey data collected by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) in 2006 from a sample of constituencies, we construct indices of voice and client power using principal component analysis. We then estimate ordered probit models regarding the rating of the performance of CDF funded projects in meeting the constituents’ needs. The estimation strategy we adopt controls for potential endogeneity of the institutional measures, potential sample selection-bias and potential unobserved heterogeneity. The results indicate that higher quality institutions are associated with better service delivery outcomes.

House Majority Leader Questions Federal Funding of Social Science Research

Speaking before an audience at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) declared: “Funds currently spent by the government on social science–including on politics of all things–would be better spent helping find cures to diseases.”

Pacific Cosmopolitans: A Cultural History of U.S.-Japan Relations

Seventy years have passed since the United States and Japan fought a bitter war. Since then the two nations have established an important bilateral relationship, and they are two of the closest allies in the world. How did this volte-face take place? Michael R. Auslin, the director of Japan studies at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, provides answers to this question in Pacific Cosmopolitans. Exploring the history of U.S.-Japan cultural exchanges from the eighteenth century to the present, Pacific Cosmopolitans uncovers “the deep fascination in both countries with an exotic Other, a fascination that soon became a rigorous attempt to maintain permanent contact as well as to study and analyze the fundamental features of each country” (p. 2). A casual cultural exchange in the early 1800s evolved to a more formal exchange in the late nineteenth century. The exchange evolution did not occur linearly, however, because of rising nationalism in Japan and racist anti-Japanese sentiment in the United States during the early twentieth century.