Institutions Research Articles

Regional government institutions and the capacity for women to reconcile career and motherhood

Abstract Declining fertility and the persistent underrepresentation of women in the labour market are key concerns of our time. The fact that they overlap is not fortuitous. Traditionally, women everywhere have faced a conflict in balancing their career ambitions with family responsibilities. Yet, the pressures arising from this conflict vary enormously from one place to another. Existing research has tended to overlook the geographical features of this dilemma, which could result in an inadequate understanding of the issue and lead to ineffective policy responses. This article examines how variations in the quality of regional institutions affect women’s capacity to reconcile career and motherhood and, consequently, gender equality within Europe. Using panel data from 216 regions across 18 European countries, we uncover a positive effect of regional institutional quality on fertility rates, taking into account variations in female employment. Moreover, we show that European regions with better government quality provide a more reliable environment for managing the career/motherhood dilemma often faced by women. In contrast, women living in regions with weaker government institutions are more constrained in both their career and childbearing options.

The physical and virtual presence of the local state and citizens’ life satisfaction in urbanising China

China’s rapid and ongoing urbanisation has led to the expansion of the local state. The state, traditionally exhibited as physical institutions of government, has emerged virtually in recent years based on intricate network infrastructure systems, such as social media platforms. Scholars contend that a strong physical state infrastructure enhances government function and can increase citizens’ life satisfaction; in contrast, the state’s virtual presence is unlikely to exert a substantial independent impact because of its reliance on the state’s physical infrastructure. In this research, we calibrated innovative measures of the state’s physical and virtual presence. Combined with data from the 2018 Urbanisation and Quality of Life Survey conducted in 40 sampling sites undergoing rural–urban transition, we further assessed how the local state’s physical and virtual presence is associated with citizens’ self-reported life satisfaction in the context of China’s national new-type urbanisation. Our results, based on three-level mixed-effects regressions, indicate that the local state’s bricks-and-mortar institutions do not correlate with citizens’ life satisfaction; rather, the establishment of a web-based, cost-effective, transparent, and coordinated virtual presence is associated with a higher level of life satisfaction among citizens. At a time when the Chinese central government emphasises its commitment to ‘people-centred’ urbanisation, the findings offer insight into the strategies that local governments could employ to improve governance quality and enhance citizens’ well-being.

Sub-national bureaucracies in the European administrative space

ABSTRACT An important stream of research has developed focusing on the embedding of national central government institutions into an emerging multilevel European Union (EU) administration. The role of sub-national governmental institutions within this integrated administration has however received relatively little attention. Assuming that sub-national bureaucracies are key vehicles in the ‘ground-level’ practicing of supranational law, this study examines how sub-national bureaucrats may find themselves in situations where they balance contending preferences and concerns of multiple, and competing, principals. Benefiting from original survey data gathered in Norwegian and Swedish municipalities, we assess how the notion of ‘multi-hatted’ bureaucratic agents noted in the multilevel union administration literature can be transferred to the sub-national level and provide insights into how sub-national bureaucrats relate to multiple principals and how policy conflicts are resolved in the ‘ground level’ implementation of supranational law.

Diversity and ethnobotanical study of homegarden plants in Goba district, Oromia region, Ethiopia

Homegardens are one of the most diverse agroforestry systems and make a vital contribution to meeting various household needs, especially for smallholder farmers in developing countries. The aim of this study was to record the diversity and use of homegarden plant species in the Goba District. The households were randomly selected from five kebeles, with the number selected proportionate to the size of each kebele using the probability proportional to size (PPS) calculation. Seventy-one homegarden owners were chosen for the detailed study and data collection. Of the fifteen kebeles in the Goba District, five kebeles were chosen at random. Observations, semi-structured interviews, preference rating, direct matrix rankings, and paired comparisons were the methods used to gather ethno-botanical data. Descriptive statistical approaches, including density, frequency, relative frequency, relative density, and the Shannon and Wiener indices for species diversity were used to analyze the data. A total of 67 plant species belonging to 31 families were identified. Of the 67 plant species, 36 (or 54%) were herbs, 15 (or 22%) were tree species, 22% shrubs, and 2% were climbers. Twenty-eight (20.8%) species collected from homegardens had food and forage value, 17 (25.3%) had fence value, 12 (18%) had shade value, and 23 (34.3%) had medicinal value; moreover, 90% of the homes had home gardens, indicating that farmers value gardening plants that helps improve household food security and revenue generation. The involvement of the local population and government institutions in providing awareness through instruction or training on the sustainable use and management of plant resources is vital to conserve homegarden plants.

Analysis of the Role of Digital Marketing in the Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Cibinong District

This study aims to analyze the role of digital development marketing in supporting the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Cibinong District. Along with the increasing internet penetration and use of social media, digital marketing has become a strategic tool to increase market reach and competitiveness of MSMEs. The research method used is descriptive qualitative, with data collection through interviews, observations, and literature studies. The results of the study indicate that MSMEs that implement digital marketing are able to increase sales, expand market share, and strengthen product branding. However, there are still obstacles in the form of a lack of digital knowledge and access to technology, especially among micro-scale MSMEs. Therefore, support is needed from the government and related institutions to improve digital literacy and provide infrastructure that supports the development of digital marketing in this region. Overall, the role of digital marketing for MSMEs in Cibinong District is very significant in increasing competitiveness, efficiency, and market reach. However, to maximize this potential, collaborative efforts are needed between MSME actors, the government, and technology service providers so that existing challenges can be overcome properly. This study is expected to be a reference for the development of effective digital marketing strategies for MSMEs in Cibinong District.

Mixed method evaluation of factors influencing the adoption of organic participatory guarantee system certification among Vietnamese vegetable farmers

AbstractIn markets where vegetables are commonly cultivated with heavy use of synthetic pesticides, it is particularly important for consumers to be able to identify genuine organic produce. Organic Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) certification offers smallholder farmers an affordable way to build trust among consumers and secure premium prices for their organic produce. In Vietnam, the demand for vegetables with no, or low, pesticide residues is growing. The attractiveness of PGS certification should increase accordingly, but the number of organic PGS certified farmers in Vietnam are stagnating or even decreasing. The aim of this study is to explain this paradox by investigating the factors that influence the adoption of organic PGS certification among Vietnamese vegetable farmers. We follow a mixed methods approach, combining a qualitative analysis of farmer interviews (n = 62) and a quantitative analysis of a farm survey data (n = 434) using a sample selection model that estimates adoption contingent on farmers’ awareness of PGS certification. Drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, we found that social relationships and positive attitudes towards farming and the environment drive the adoption of organic PGS. Barriers include insufficient knowledge of organic farming techniques, labour shortages, and ageing farmers. At the systemic level, support by (non-)governmental institutions facilitates adoption, but challenges such as lower yields and limited access to premium markets remain. To promote organic PGS among Vietnamese vegetable farmers, efforts should focus on disseminating organic farming techniques that boost yields, alleviate labour demands, and ensure secure markets for premium-priced organic vegetables.

To Study the Effect of Social Competence on Academic Performance of Secondary School Students of Private and Government Schools

This research employs a quantitative cross-sectional survey design to investigate the relationships between academic performance and social competence among 11th and 12th-grade students in both government and private institutions. The sample consists of 600 students, evenly divided between government and private schools, and selected using stratified random sampling to ensure adequate representation. The study includes students aged 16 to 18, excluding those with significant learning disabilities. Data collection instruments consist of a demographic questionnaire, students' Grade Point Average (GPA), the Social Competence Scale by Sharma, Shukla, and Shukla. Social competence is assessed on a 5-point Likert scale. The data collection procedure involved obtaining consent from students, parents, and school authorities, followed by administering the surveys and intelligence tests in a controlled environment. Students' GPAs were gathered from school records. The analysis includes descriptive statistics for demographic data, GPA & social competence. Independent sample t-tests compare academic performance between government and private school students, while ANOVA examines differences in social competence by gender and intellectual ability by grade level. Pearson correlation coefficients explore relationships between GPA & social competence, while a multiple regression model predicts GPA based on these factors, controlling for variables such as age, gender, school type, and parental education. The study hypothesizes no significant relationship between social competence and academic performance across different school types.

Teacher Educators’ Mental Stress towards Online Teaching in West Bengal, India

The study aimed to find out the mental stress of teacher educators towards online teaching in respect to their gender and type of institutions. Descriptive survey method was employed for the study. 200 teacher educators were selected as sample by random sampling from 29 different universities and colleges of West Bengal, including government and private institutions. Among the selected samples, 120 were male and 80 were female, while 103 teacher educators were from government institutions and 97 from self-financed institutions. Data were collected using “ICT Scale on Mental Stress”. Data were analyzed by percentage analysis and independent samples t-test. Results revealed that 40% teacher educators faced high mental stress towards using ICT in online teaching. Further the results revealed that female teacher educators faced more mental stress than their male counterparts. Teacher educators of private colleges showed more mental stress than the teacher educators of government institutions. Therefore, rigorous training on online teaching can be recommended for teacher educators.

The Impact of Socialization on Political Participation in Jordan (1989-2015)

Objectives: The study aimed to show the reality and influence of socialization on political participation from the point view of Political party leaders in Jordan. Methods: The study in order to measuring the level of influence of socialization and find the degree of participation, used the descriptive analytical method to analyze the data collected through a refereed scientific questionnaire targeted the active party leaders and party figures in Jordan, consisting of (297) selected as a random sample Results: The study findings were, a medium degree of approval among party leaders and figures on the reality of socialization, a medium degree of approval on the reality of political participation and the presence of a statistically significant effect of socialization on political participation explains a percentage of (57.6%). And from the variation in political participation indicates that the extent of the clear impact of socialization on the process of political participation in Jordan. Conclusions: The study concluded that there is a need to work to raise the level of political awareness among young people in society, and the political parties must work on formulating and preparing integrated programs with clear goals and vision in order to attract the target group and participation within it in political future work in Jordan. That can be achieved only by moving to actual work, and activating the role of various governmental institutions, agencies and community organizations in spreading awareness of political culture among young people through educational, media, cultural and partisan institutions.

The Implication of the Quality of Care with the Level of Satisfaction of the Administered of a State Entity in the Lambayeque Region

The quality of care provided to the citizens by state entities is a significant factor in organizations because measuring satisfaction levels strengthens trust in governmental institutions. The objective of this article is to establish the relationship between service quality and citizen satisfaction levels within a state entity in the Lambayeque Region. According to the literature reviewed, it was found that there is a significant positive relationship between service quality and user satisfaction in public entities. This means that as service quality improves, user satisfaction levels also increase. Conversely, a decrease in service quality tends to negatively impact user satisfaction. This finding underscores the importance of enhancing and maintaining high standards of service quality provided by state entities to ensure a satisfactory experience for users.

Mapping scientific research on employee motivation

This article provides a detailed analysis of publications on employee motivation over the last ten years based on data provided by Scopus. The study examines the distribution of publications by author, identifying prominent researchers and significant international collaborations. It also explores the main areas of research in employee motivation, analyzing dominant fields such as organizational psychology and human resource management. At the same time, the article assesses the contribution of different countries and highlights the most prolific regions. Particular attention is paid to funding sources, highlighting significant sponsors such as government institutions and international research agencies. The results show a trend towards increased institutional funding and greater collaboration between researchers. This analysis provides an overview of developments and trends in employee motivation research, offering valuable insights for future work.

Analisis perhitungan dan pelaporan Pajak Penghasilan Pasal 22 atas pengadaan barang pada Dinas Pendidikan Daerah Provinsi Sulawesi Utara berdasarkan PMK Nomor 59/PMK.03/2022

The North Sulawesi Province Regional Education Service is one of the government institutions that plays an important role in the collection of taxes on behalf of the government. In the current year, this third party is required to withhold, deposit, and report the tax owed on a monthly basis or during the relevant tax period. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the calculation and reporting of Income Tax Article 22 at the Regional Education Office of North Sulawesi Province, based on PMK Number 59/PMK.03/2022. This research employs a qualitative descriptive analytical method based on the results of interviews with several research informants. The findings indicate that the North Sulawesi Province Regional Education Service adheres to the applicable regulations in calculating Income Tax Article 22. However, there are discrepancies in the reporting process, whereby the reporting is submitted to BKAD (Regional Financial and Asset Agency) and not directly to KPP Pratama.

The role of government integrity in the impact of environmental taxes on comparative advantage in environmental goods and climate change in emerging markets

The goal of this study is to examine how environmental taxes influence the comparative advantage in environmental products and carbon emissions within emerging economies. To gain a better understanding, we examine whether this impact changes depending on the level of government integrity. This study utilizes panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) techniques and a two-step generalized method of moments (GMM) dynamic panel model to ensure accuracy. The results indicate that increased environmental taxes mitigate the comparative advantage in environmental goods for emerging markets. However, for countries with high levels of government integrity, higher environmental taxes enhance their competitive edge in environmental goods. Additionally, our findings show that although a rise in environmental taxes is associated with higher carbon emissions, raising such taxes results in a reduction in carbon emissions for emerging economies with solid government integrity. These findings suggest that robust political institutions are crucial in promoting the comparative advantage of emerging markets in environmental goods and mitigating climate change. In the absence of substantial confidence in political or governmental institutions, the efficient implementation of climate taxes poses considerable challenges. Furthermore, we observe that an increase in the comparative advantage of environmental goods results in a decrease in carbon emissions.

An Empirical Analysis on Institutional Quality, Fiscal Policy and Debt Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

Many Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are finding it difficult to fulfill their massive debt repayment obligations, which bilateral financial institutions have declared to be unmanageable. Government institutions are to blame for such disparities in the budgetary components, which have been empirically confirmed to be detrimental. Part of the reason for SSA's income generation and debt management problems is related to fiscal policy components where there has been an unwarranted exaggeration of government expenditure. Accordingly, the current study used a panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) to examine how fiscal policy and institutional quality affected the sustainability of debt in 48 SSA nations between 2008 and 2022. The study’s findings suggested that the elements of fiscal policy (expenditure and revenue) as well as indicators of institutional quality (governance), such as control of corruption, effectiveness of government, political stability, absence of violence, regulatory quality, the rule of law, voice, and accountability, were important in explaining the long-term sustainability of public debt. The speed of adjustment to the long-run equilibrium was slow, which may be related to the unstable governance in each of the cross-sectional nations. Hence, the study concluded that the interactive effects of institutional quality and fiscal policy significantly influenced debt sustainability in the long run. The study’s conclusions can be very helpful to policymakers, particularly in those nations where major fiscal and external imbalances are being generated by low ratings for key institutional quality indices.

Penguatan Kepastian Hukum Kewenangan Kejaksaan Sebagai Penyidik dalam Tindak Pidana Korupsi Sidang Perkara Nomor 28/Puu-Xxi/2023

Corruption cases in Indonesia still really need attention considering that the consequences can be detrimental to the state and society. Handling the eradication of corruption is then carried out by several state institutions which are given direct authority by law, one of which is through the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Indonesia. Legal certainty of authority is very necessary to create harmony between government institutions and avoid overlapping authority. Furthermore, in writing this article, we used an approach method, namely an empirical method with descriptive analytical research specifications. The formulation of the problem raised in this article is regarding legal certainty in strengthening the prosecutor's office as an investigator in criminal acts of corruption. Furthermore, the purpose of this article is to analyze legal certainty or the legal standing of the authority of the prosecutor's office as an investigator in criminal acts of corruption. The authority of the Prosecutor's Office is contained in Article 30 paragraph (1) letter d of Law 5 of 1991 concerning the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Indonesia which was later declared invalid by Law 16 of 2004 in conjunction with Law Number 11 of 2021 concerning Amendments to Law Number 16 of 2004 concerning the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Indonesia. Then in Article 26 of Law no. 19 of 2019 Second amendment to UU No. 31 of 1999 concerning Corruption Crimes.

Pertanggungjawaban Pidana Pemberi dan Penerima Suap dalam Proyek Pengerjaan Pembangunan Infrastruktur: Studi Putusan Nomor 438 K/Pid.Sus/2021

Bribery in infrastructure projects is a form of corruption that undermines the legal order and public trust in government institutions and state administrators. In this study, the bribe giver is considered to play a role in influencing the decision or action of public officials, while the bribe receiver is considered to have abused his authority. This research uses normative research methods, commonly referred to as legal research techniques, positive legal research techniques, doctrinal legal research techniques, and pure legal research techniques, used in this research. Legal research that focuses on written laws or regulations (law in books) or legal research based on social norms and regulations is known as normative legal research. bribe givers and recipients have criminal liability regulated in law number 31 of 1999 concerning the eradication of criminal acts of corruption amended by law number 20 of 2001. Article 5, both the giver and receiver of a bribe are considered to be the perpetrators of a criminal offence. a bribe giver who offers or gives something to a state official to influence a decision that will benefit him or her or someone else can be sentenced. Enforcement is carried out through investigation, investigation, prosecution, and trial of bribery cases. One method that is often used is the Hand Capture Operation (OTT) by the KPK, which has successfully uncovered many major bribery cases among state officials,

Contesting Caste: Institutionalized Oppression and Circumventive Legal Resistance

Abstract Across the globe, people who mobilize to protect their rights in highly oppressive contexts may have to navigate government institutions that not only fail to implement protections but also engage in discriminatory practices. This article introduces the term “circumventive legal resistance” to describe practices of making legally grounded claims but facilitating relief through processes of expression and negotiation that are distinct from explicit mechanisms of legal enforcement. Based upon a study of twenty-seven rural, semi-rural, and urban areas across the north and north-west regions of India, this article documents how Dalit women—from the most marginalized groups at the base of the caste pyramid—mobilize to protect their rights in contexts where local institutions do not enforce laws prohibiting caste discrimination and instead perpetrate caste-based forced labor practices. In particular, I focus on a campaign to end manual scavenging—a form of caste-based forced labor that is one of the worst surviving symbols of untouchability. With local channels to legal relief largely foreclosed, Dalit women who leave manual scavenging engage in circumventive legal resistance: they draw on law to make claims but win relief through avenues distinct from those envisioned within the parameters of the law.

Stakeholder Participation in The Revitalization of Peneleh Tourist Area in Surabaya City

This study aims to identify the form of stakeholder participation and collaboration in the revitalization of Peneleh tourism area to become an area of historical value and maintain the authenticity of the area. A qualitative method with stakeholder analysis was used to examine the participation and collaboration of stakeholders, including the government, local communities, academics, mass media and financial institutions. The analysis found that the active involvement of stakeholders through the Pentahelix model is crucial for successful revitalization. The results show that stakeholder participation in Peneleh revitalization includes the participation of ideas, skills, energy, property, and money. In addition, collaboration between stakeholders in idea development, decision making, human resource development, revitalization implementation and preservation of revitalization results play an important role in the revitalization of Peneleh. Begandring Soerabaia community, as one of the key players in this project, successfully collaborated with various parties including the city government, academics, pokdarwis, mass media, Bank Indonesia and international institutions such as Time Amsterdam. The conclusion of this study is that strong collaboration between various stakeholders, supported by active participation from the local community and support from other institutions, is the key to success in revitalizing a historical area such as Peneleh. This research also underlines the importance of a holistic approach, which includes physical, historical and cultural aspects in preserving historical heritage. Keywords: Stakeholder Participation, Form of Participation, Pentahelix, Stakeholder Analysis, Revitalization

SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION ON PUBLIC CONTRACT MANAGEMENT IN BRAZIL: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Efficient management of public contracts is essential to ensure the proper allocation of resources and the effectiveness of operations in government institutions, including military ones. This study conducts a systematic review of the scientific literature on contract management in Brazilian military institutions between 2013 and 2023, aiming to identify trends, gaps, and research opportunities. The research employed a mixed-method approach, combining systematic review and bibliometric analysis, and analyzed articles from the SPELL database. The results show a significant increase in the number of publications in 2023, with a focus on the Southeast and Northeast regions, while the North region exhibited a notable lack of studies. Revista de Administração Pública was the most productive journal, and Eduardo José Grin the most cited researcher. The analysis also revealed a concentration of studies in public universities in the Southeast. The study suggests that adopting technological innovations, such as automation and digital tools, has the potential to enhance transparency and efficiency in public procurement processes. The lack of research on contract management in the North region underscores the need for greater academic attention in this area, creating opportunities for further studies.

Performance Analysis of Higher Education Public Service Agencies: A Case Study of the Indonesian Civil Pilot Academy Banyuwangi

A Public Service Agency, known by the Indonesian nomenclature as Badan Layanan Umum (BLU), is a government institution with the autonomy to manage its finances effectively and efficiently and provide public services. BLU is crucial for delivering essential services in Indonesia, including specialized education in the transportation sector. Despite their significance, BLU institutions like the Indonesian Civil Pilot Academy Banyuwangi face operational inefficiencies, financial constraints, and human resource challenges that hinder organizational performance. This study investigates these challenges, focusing on how financial management, human resource issues, and operational inefficiencies affect educational outcomes. The research employed a qualitative case study approach using semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and field observations. Data were collected from key stakeholders, including students, lecturers, and staff, to assess organizational performance in the educational process, human resource management, and general operations. Findings reveal that while facilities and educator engagement have improved, issues such as lecturer absenteeism, student input quality, and the need for continuous staff training persist. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by demonstrating the critical role of Total Quality Management (TQM) and Cross-Functional Integration (CFI) in improving public service agency performance. The research offers practical recommendations for enhancing lecturer performance, refining student admissions, and developing powerful individuals through sustainable training. This expectation can give Public Service Agency management an outlook for increasing performance organization and support mission, as well as the Agency of Human Resources Development (BPSDM) on Transportation vision.