Levels Of Government Research Articles

In this study, we present LizAI XT, an AI-powered platform designed to automate the structuring, anonymization, and semantic integration of large-scale healthcare data from diverse sources, into one comprehensive table or any designated forms, based on diseases, clinical variables, and/or other defined parameters, beyond the creation of a dashboard or visualization. We evaluate the platform’s performance on a cluster of 4x NVIDIA A30 GPU 24GB, with 16 diseases—from deathly cancer and COPD, to conventional ones—ear infections, including a total 16,000 patients, ∼115,000 medical files, and ∼800 clinical variables. LizAI XT structures data from thousands of files into sets of variables for each disease in one file, achieving > 95.0% overall accuracy, while providing exceptional outputs in complicated cases of cancers (99.1%), COPD (98.89%), and asthma (98.12%), without model-overfitting. Data retrieval is sub-second for a variable per patient with a minimal GPU power, which can significantly be improved on more powerful GPUs. LizAI XT uniquely enables fully client-controlled data, complying with strict data security and privacy regulations per region/nation. Our advances complement the existing EMR/EHR, AWS HealthLake, and Google Vertex AI platforms, for healthcare data management and AI development, with large-scalability and expansion at any levels of HMOs, clinics, pharma, and government.

Critics of President Trump have alleged that he has reduced independent agencies to mere extensions of the executive branch during his second term. The reality is that Democratic and Republican presidents routinely leverage the opportunity to reshape independent agencies in openly partisan ways because presidents have majority control of the appointments for the leadership of virtu ally all agencies. I examine a large data set of independent agency votes from the Obama and first Trump terms to show that independent agency commissioners vote in predictably partisan ways when addressing substantive policy changes. The partisan design of independent agencies undercuts agency claims to “independence.” As a result, substantive policy changes at independent agencies generally become transient victories that are likely to be reversed by the next administration from the opposing party. I make the case for restoring a degree of independence to independent agencies by institutionalizing “constructive gridlock” in their leadership. I call for creating an even split in independent agency commissioners from the two major political parties. Gridlock between the two major political parties is almost uniformly panned as a problem plaguing our legislative process. Our current Congress epitomizes the potential dysfunctionality of legislative gridlock with divided government and high levels of partisanship leading to a dearth of statutes and frustration at inaction. But I argue that creating partisan balance in the leadership of independent agencies would have positive policy effects and legitimize decisions made by unelected leaders. Institutionalizing an even partisan division in the leadership of independent agencies would necessitate bipartisanship for agency action and pressure elected leaders in Congress to act when independent agency leaders cannot overcome their ideological differences. This approach would further an underlying purpose of independent agencies for appointees from both major political parties to work jointly to legitimize rulemaking and adjudications. Well-known safeguards exist to foster the autonomy of independent agency appointees from the executive and legislative branches. But I argue that the majoritarian structure of (almost all) independent agency commissions and the partisan nature of the appointments process ensure that politics, rather than bipartisanship and independence, prevail when the stakes matter. To prove this point, I have gathered a data set of over 5,000 commissioner votes by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”), and Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) from the Obama and Trump administrations. I compare the impact of three-two partisan splits in commissioners (SEC and NRC) with three-three commissioner political splits (the notable institution with partisan balance—the FEC). A large majority of votes in the SEC and NRC on uncontroversial issues are unanimous. However, I show that the partisanship inherent in the majoritarian structure of independent agencies is clear in the subset of ideologically driven votes concerning substantive policy changes. In contrast, the FEC is more frequently affected by strategic, partisan gridlock of commissioners, which often stops votes from happening about controversial election issues. Critics may deride stalemates as a sign of independent agency failure. But I argue that independent agency gridlock concerning politically charged questions shows the virtues of political balance by taking divisive political issues out of the hands of unelected appointees and sending them back to the democratically elected leaders in Congress. I use game theory to illustrate the potential impact of the shift to political balance in independent agencies. Using a range of prisoner’s dilemma simulations, I show how parity in political leadership may increase the potential for agency deadlocks concerning politically divisive questions, while also increasing the payoffs from bipartisanship. At first glance, greater deadlocks may appear to create a potential bias towards the status quo of regulation, which may incentivize the side that benefits to dig in their heels. But the nature of evolving regulatory challenges frequently requires changes even to settled frameworks, which would pressure commissioners to work on building bipartisan consensus. At the same time, divisive questions may lead to lasting impasses among independent agency commissioners. The logic of partisan balance in the leadership of independent agencies would be to place the onus on Congress and the President to address enduring regulatory stalemates through the legislative process. That does not necessarily mean that Congress will address regulatory gridlock. Rather, the more important the issues that independent agencies fail to resolve, the higher the degree of pressure that elected leaders in Congress would face to act.

Partial progress in sexual and reproductive health and rights: the influence of sociocultural, behavioural, structural, and technological changes on epidemiological trends.

ABSTRACT The successful implementation of industrial strategies relies on high-quality evidence of interventions that work. Yet, there is a lack of such evidence, particularly for local and regional economic policy. While policymakers at all levels of government express a strong desire for better evidence, limited research has addressed the question of why more resources are not devoted to producing better evidence. This article identifies barriers to more and better evaluation of industrial and economic policy more generally. This is a pertinent question in the UK context as a new industrial strategy is launched, while local government is undergoing a reorganisation with new powers for economic policy being devolved. The article makes two contributions. First, it argues that evaluation and evidence should be treated as a public good that will be underprovided without deliberate investment. Second, the lack of a strong ecosystem for evaluation at the local level is identified, which could act as a flexible resource to improve evaluation capacity and capability and support the use of existing evidence. Implications for the design of incentives and institutions for evaluation are considered.

As temperatures rise due to climate change, so do adverse health effects. In response, many countries, including South Africa, have developed heat health action plans to address these threats to public health. In the Western Cape province, increasing heat events necessitate a well-coordinated response across governance levels and sectors. Understanding how heat risks are governed, particularly at subnational and local levels, is critical for safeguarding public health and building resilience to future climate challenges. This study draws on 31 in-depth interviews and cross-references a previous policy document analysis to examine how South African decision-makers, both within and outside the health sector, at the Western Cape provincial and municipal levels, manage heat-related health risks. Using an adapted Multiple Governance Framework, the analysis investigates how subnational and local stakeholders work to manage heat-related health risks, some of which are aligned with South Africa’s 2020 Heat-Health Action Guidelines. The findings reveal that despite the existence of the Action Guidelines and recognition among Western Cape decision-makers of the urgency of heat-related health risks, implementation remains fragmented. While provincial and municipal stakeholders are actively working to mitigate the health impacts of extreme heat, subnational and local actors were not involved in developing the Heat-Health Action Guidelines limiting their applicability at the local level. The analysis further highlights governance challenges and opportunities that emerge across system, organizational, and individual scales, emphasizing the significant role of decision-makers’ perceptions in shaping responses. Strengthening coordination, defining departmental roles, and enabling local adaptation of policy strategies will be essential for improving heat-health action. By addressing these governance gaps, decision-makers in the Western Cape can manage current and future heat-related health risks and communities can be better equipped to withstand the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the state of environmental sustainability in Mediterranean region with emphasis on Greek football, specifically in the professional Super League, through the “waves typology”. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative research was conducted through five semistructured in-depth interviews with directors from clubs participating in the Super League Championship, the organizing authority and the Greek Football Federation. Findings Thematic analysis of the transcribed data resulted in five main themes (culture and leadership, coordination and planning, facilities, resources and promotion in the market and society) and a sum of 19 subthemes. Findings revealed that Greek football is on the primary level of implementing environmentally sustainable management with some initiatives being implemented as part of corporate social responsibility practices of the sport organizations. The prevailing factors preventing the adoption of environmental practices were found to be: lack of mentality/culture, lack of expertise, the age of the facilities and bureaucracy, limited funding, lack of regulation and the lack of pressure from stakeholders. Research limitations/implications Willingness to adopt environmental practices on the operational and governance level was observed. Significant strategic benefits were acknowledged from the adoption of environmentally sustainable initiatives. Practical implications Identifying factors through the framework of the “waves typology” can trigger the Greek teams toward the adoption of environmental practices. Social implications The results also indicated willingness to raise awareness through the large societal impact of football. Originality/value The findings contribute to the clarification of the factors acting as drivers or constraints for the adoption of environmental practices by sport organizations.

As temperatures rise due to climate change, so do adverse health effects. In response, many countries, including South Africa, have developed heat health action plans to address these threats to public health. In the Western Cape province, increasing heat events necessitate a well-coordinated response across governance levels and sectors. Understanding how heat risks are governed, particularly at subnational and local levels, is critical for safeguarding public health and building resilience to future climate challenges. This study draws on 31 in-depth interviews and cross-references a previous policy document analysis to examine how South African decision-makers, both within and outside the health sector, at the Western Cape provincial and municipal levels, manage heat-related health risks. Using an adapted Multiple Governance Framework, the analysis investigates how subnational and local stakeholders work to manage heat-related health risks, some of which are aligned with South Africa's 2020 Heat-Health Action Guidelines. The findings reveal that despite the existence of the Action Guidelines and recognition among Western Cape decision-makers of the urgency of heat-related health risks, implementation remains fragmented. While provincial and municipal stakeholders are actively working to mitigate the health impacts of extreme heat, subnational and local actors were not involved in developing the Heat-Health Action Guidelines limiting their applicability at the local level. The analysis further highlights governance challenges and opportunities that emerge across system, organizational, and individual scales, emphasizing the significant role of decision-makers' perceptions in shaping responses. Strengthening coordination, defining departmental roles, and enabling local adaptation of policy strategies will be essential for improving heat-health action. By addressing these governance gaps, decision-makers in the Western Cape can manage current and future heat-related health risks and communities can be better equipped to withstand the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events.

Purpose This paper aims to examine the implementation of investment facilitation commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Investment Protocol. Its purpose is threefold: first, to analyse the core investment facilitation obligations established under the AfCFTA and compare them with global standards; second, to identify key implementation challenges facing African states in fulfilling these commitments; and third, to evaluate necessary technical assistance and capacity-building mechanisms to support effective implementation. By exploring these dimensions, the paper aims to provide practical insights for policymakers, practitioners and researchers engaged in advancing Africa’s economic transformation through enhanced investment flows and regional integration. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses doctrinal legal analysis to examine the implementation challenges and opportunities of investment facilitation commitments under the AfCFTA Investment Protocol. The methodology involves systematic analysis of primary legal texts, including the AfCFTA Investment Protocol and related regional frameworks, alongside comparative examination of the WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement. The paper synthesises evidence from regional and national case studies to identify emerging best practices and implementation challenges. The research framework considers three dimensions: regulatory frameworks, institutional mechanisms and technical capacity needs, while evaluating potential solutions through analysis of technical assistance frameworks and implementation experiences across African states. Findings The paper reveals that effective implementation of AfCFTA investment facilitation commitments faces significant challenges including institutional capacity constraints, infrastructure and technology gaps and political economy factors. Regional approaches demonstrate the value of coordinated implementation but highlight persistent gaps between formal commitments and practical implementation. Successful national implementation strategies share common features: strong political commitment, effective institutional coordination and strategic use of digital technologies. The research identifies emerging best practices including phased implementation approaches, stakeholder engagement mechanisms and robust monitoring frameworks. Technical assistance needs to be better coordinated and demand-driven to address implementation challenges equitably across countries with varying capacities. Research limitations/implications This study primarily relies on doctrinal analysis and publicly available information about implementation efforts, which may not fully capture on-the-ground realities or informal implementation mechanisms. The research is limited by the recency of the AfCFTA Investment Protocol’s adoption, with implementation still in early stages, offering limited empirical evidence on outcomes. Future research would benefit from quantitative assessment of implementation impacts, comparative analysis of institutional models and deeper investigation of digital technology applications in investment facilitation. The findings nonetheless provide valuable guidance for policymakers designing implementation strategies and technical assistance programmes that address the identified challenges. Practical implications The findings offer several practical implications for AfCFTA implementation. Policymakers should prioritise establishing dedicated institutional mechanisms for coordinating investment facilitation at continental, regional and national levels. A continental implementation roadmap with clear milestones and phased approaches would accommodate varying country capacities. Digital solutions should be leveraged to enhance transparency and streamline procedures, while addressing infrastructure gaps. Technical assistance providers should adopt more coordinated, demand-driven approaches based on comprehensive needs assessments. Private sector engagement mechanisms should be formalised to ensure facilitation measures respond to investor needs. These strategies can transform investment facilitation from technical reform to a transformative agenda for Africa’s economic integration. Social implications Effective implementation of investment facilitation under the AfCFTA has significant social implications across Africa. By enhancing investment flows and economic integration, successful implementation can create employment opportunities, particularly for youth, women and vulnerable groups as recognised in Article 29 of the Protocol. Streamlined administrative procedures can reduce corruption opportunities, promoting more equitable access to investment opportunities for domestic entrepreneurs. However, implementation must balance efficiency with safeguarding public interests. The paper highlights the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement to ensure investment facilitation contributes to sustainable development outcomes rather than merely benefiting large investors or exacerbating existing economic inequalities. Originality/value This paper provides quite a comprehensive analysis of implementation challenges and strategies for investment facilitation commitments under the recently adopted AfCFTA Investment Protocol. While existing literature examines investment facilitation conceptually, this research contributes original insights on the unique African continental context and implementation dynamics. The paper’s value lies in its synthesis of emerging best practices from regional and national experiences, detailed examination of technical assistance frameworks and practical policy recommendations for various governance levels. This comprehensive approach offers significant value to policymakers, development practitioners and researchers seeking to advance Africa’s economic integration through enhanced investment facilitation.

This study, based on the theories of gender, the glass ceiling, and role conflict, systematically examines the multi-dimensional challenges faced by Chinese women in the workplace from the perspectives of society, organization, and individual. The research reveals that women not only encounter explicit and implicit gender discrimination in recruitment and promotion, persistent pay gaps, and the "glass ceiling" effect, but also endure the psychological and physical stress caused by the dual role conflict of work and family. These challenges are deeply rooted in the complex interaction of traditional gender cultural norms, structural flaws in enterprise systems, and insufficient policy implementation mechanisms. This paper further constructs a three-level collaborative countermeasure framework of "policy-organization-culture," proposing to break the cycle of gender segregation and discrimination through systematic paths such as improving gender equality legislation and evaluation mechanisms, promoting enterprises to establish transparent promotion and flexible working systems, and facilitating the reshaping of gender concepts in the media and education fields. This study provides an integrated analytical perspective for understanding the formation mechanism of women's workplace challenges and puts forward operational policy suggestions and practical directions for promoting substantive gender equality at the government, enterprise, and social levels.

Abstract Agriculture plays a dual role as both a key driver and a potential solution for biodiversity loss. Farmers, holding a variety of values related to nature, are therefore key actors in biodiversity conservation. EU environmental policies, however, neglect this value diversity, potentially leading to ineffective and unjust outcomes. Acknowledging the EU Common Agricultural Policy's (CAP) substantial influence on farmers and nature conservation, we employed a Critical Discourse Analysis to examine nature's values conveyed in CAP documents at EU and German level. We explored four value‐centred pathways—Green Economy (prioritizing instrumental values), Nature Protection (prioritizing intrinsic values), Earth Stewardship (prioritizing relational and intrinsic values) and Degrowth (representing instrumental, intrinsic and relational values). All four pathways are represented in the documents with varying dominance, indicating strategic policy formulation based on diverse stakeholder interests, multi‐level governance structure and the complex interplay of environmental and agricultural policy objectives. The European Commission predominantly adheres to a Green Economy pathway, which prioritizes environmental goals alongside economic growth, often overshadowing non‐economic nature values. Germany shows a greater reflection of Nature Protection and Earth Stewardship pathways, highlighting a tendency to consider intrinsic and relational values of nature. Our analysis demonstrated that the European Commission exerts significant discursive influence, steering Member States' policies towards EU Green Deal objectives. However, Germany's tendency to consider intrinsic and relational values of nature suggests that pathways and values can be dynamically renegotiated at national or regional levels. Critical differences in the expression of diverse values of nature between governance levels hence raise questions about (mis)recognizing EU policy recipients. The predominant focus on instrumental values may undermine the legitimacy and effectiveness of policies by failing to adequately represent diverse ecological and ethical considerations of policy recipients. Policy Implications : A divergence between EU and German approaches to valuing nature in agricultural policy suggests that EU policies, prioritizing instrumental values, do not fully accommodate plural values of Member States. This can potentially lead to recognition injustices. To enhance policy effectiveness and equity, we advocate for a paradigm shift towards more regionalized policymaking accounting for value plurality and fostering local environmental stewardship. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Sustainable Development Goals is an off-shoot of Millennium Development Goals after the life span of the latter terminated in 2015. This paper argue that administrators at the local level are instrumental to the successful implementation of the agenda. There exists substantial evidences that suggests that, in spite of the claims by state officials to the contrary, the pace of achievement of SDG goals, after almost a decade of its launch remains abysmally low. This study, therefore, assessed the involvement of local administrators in the SDG implementation framework. The study adopts a explanatory design and qualitative method of data collection and analysis were adopted. The paper found, against speculations, that the local administrators had in-depth knowledge about SDGs agenda and they were instrumental to its implementation. The paper recommends a bottom up strategy that will start with localising SDG from the third tier level of governance and implementing same therefrom using trained administrators as key role players.

The COVID-19 crisis laid bare serious gaps in how public agencies handle emergencies, showing that strong leadership, flexible institutions, and clear communication are crucial when faced with emergency situations. This paper looks at those factors together to see how they shape emergency governance in Pakistan, specifically Karachi's public administration after the pandemic. Guided by notions about organizational resilience and adaptive governance, the author used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze survey data from 263 civil servants. Findings show that resilient leaders boost institutional flexibility and clearer messaging, with both improvements feeding into stronger governance. Institutional adaptability also acts as a partial bridge between leadership and overall governance results. Together, the results underline the need to build adaptable processes and open channels, which enable agencies to respond faster and stay accountable in situations of crisis. The study offers new ideas for governance theory and practical tips for officials trying to upgrade preparedness in fast-growing cities. Future work should test the model in other regions and at different levels of government to see how local context changes the story.

Background: The adoption of the federal system through the 2015 Constitution of Nepal marked a pivotal shift in governance, decentralizing power to provincial and local levels. A key objective of this restructuring was to enhance inclusive governance, particularly through constitutional mandates (Article 38) and electoral quotas designed to boost women's political participation. While these provisions have led to a significant increase in the numerical representation of women in local government, achieving substantive and meaningful participation remains a critical challenge. Objective: This study aims to examine the status of women's representation in Nepal's 2022 local elections, using the 2017 elections as a baseline, to assess the impact of federalism on gender equality in local governance. Methods: The research employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, grounded in pragmatist philosophy. It integrated quantitative data from the Election Commission of Nepal on the 2017 and 2022 local elections with a qualitative review of existing literature, policies, and scholarly analyses. The theoretical framework was guided by Feminist Theory, to analyze patriarchal power structures, and Decentralization Theory, to evaluate the devolution of power. Findings: The study confirms that legal quotas have successfully increased women's numerical representation, with women holding over 40% of local government positions in both election cycles. However, a severe disparity persists between numerical presence and substantive power. Women remain overwhelmingly concentrated in secondary, mandated roles (e.g., Deputy Mayors, Vice-Chairpersons, and ward members), with minimal representation in executive leadership. Only 25 women were elected as Mayors or Chairpersons in 2022 (out of 753 possible positions). Furthermore, intersectional analysis reveals significant disparities among women: while Dalit women constitute 47.4% of female ward members due to specific quotas, their representation in higher offices is minimal, and women from Madhesi and Muslim communities are consistently underrepresented. Conclusion: Federalism and its accompanying quota system have created essential institutional space for women's entry into local politics in Nepal. However, entrenched patriarchal norms, biased intra-party nomination processes, and a lack of institutional support continue to act as formidable barriers to substantive representation and leadership. The study concludes that achieving genuine gender equality requires moving beyond quotas to implement structural reforms, capacity-building initiatives, and a cultural shift to ensure women can exercise meaningful decision-making power across all levels of local governance. Implication: The findings imply that Nepal's federal system must move beyond numerical quotas and implement targeted capacity-building and institutional reforms to ensure women's meaningful participation in local governance. Furthermore, policymakers must adopt intersectional approaches to address the unique barriers faced by women from marginalized communities like Dalits, Madhesis, and Muslims.

ABSTRACTFollowing the Beijing Conference Women's Policy Agencies were established in almost all Latin American states to promote gender parity at all levels of government. However, public administrations have not yet achieved gender parity. To explore why, we conducted a case study of two Women's Policy Agencies in Mexico that share the constitutional mandate of “parity in everything”: INMUJERES at the national level, which has a low hierarchical status, and the Ministry of Women in Oaxaca, which has a high one. Based on two original datasets and interviews, we found that neither hierarchy nor legal mandates guarantee gender parity, as both agencies exhibit low capacity and operate within gendered state apparatuses.

Peoples dwellings, daily productive activities and access to public services pass through developers and landlords, exposing them to intense public scrutiny. This paper studies the impact of ESG on the financial outcomes of listed real estate companies. By analysing and summarising global literature, it finds that the relationship is not universally positive or negative, but depends on building age, leverage ratio, ownership structure, and regulatory shocks. It summarises three transmission paths: green energy-saving renovations increase rent and reduce vacancy rates; promoting social projects enhances tenant loyalty; and at the governance level, safeguards limit excessive debt. When these three pillars work together, ESG can compress bond spreads by 25 to 80 basis points and increase occupancy rates by 1 to 2 percentage points. In the green sector with weak governance, ESG can accelerate exit from financial distress, with targeted renovations, joint social project-oriented design, and ruling-class board committees. It ultimately calls for the establishment of unified ESG metrics to enable cross-market comparison.

ABSTRACT While climate impacts are increasingly apparent, effective mitigation and adaptation measures are becoming compelling. Despite the need for an integrated approach among governance levels, local authorities lie at the forefront of climate action. This study investigates how municipalities in the Piedmont region of Italy tackle climate change within the consolidated framework of the Covenant of Mayors initiative. The assessment, based on official documents and expert surveys, revealed significant underdevelopment in adaptation, hinting at the inherent complexity of governing local climate-related planning. Nevertheless, the pivotal role of local alliances of public and private actors can significantly enhance climate action.

Notwithstanding the immense challenges it presents, the COVID-19 pandemic gives us the opportunity to assess the sustainability of our social, economic, and environmental systems as well as the interactions between them in order to create more resilient societies that prioritise the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Agenda emphasises the need for a tailored, inclusive approach where the commitment to leave no one behind represents the fundamental values of the local government. The local level of government is most placed to assist local development players in mobilising, as the international development community is increasingly realising. Participatory grassroots local government is necessary to achieve the SDGs, particularly in Bangladesh's rural areas. Unfortunately, it is absent from most undeveloped countries, including Bangladesh. For example, in Bangladesh, local government initiatives such as the committee system, project implementation committee, grassroots political involvement, and open budget talks are not being implemented properly. As COVID-19 ruins lives and livelihoods across the country, the Bangladesh government must highlight a variety of international strategies to slow down the pandemic and get back on track to accomplish SDGs. To protect against the worst effects of COVID-19, the government of Bangladesh should focus its efforts on three areas: maintaining the progress made towards the SDGs, accelerating the provision of high-quality basic services to all citizens, and maintaining the environmental gains made thus far to stop the trend of environmental degradation. In Bangladesh, the government's only realistic means of enacting policies that lead to prosperity and inclusive growth might be through supporting local government. The goal of this content analysis-based study is to better understand how, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bangladeshi government is accelerating efforts to develop and lead localised strategies that are in line with the SDGs by fostering communication with all relevant parties through the Local 2030 initiative and mobilising a coalition at multiple levels to focus on localization.

Abstract Agricultural research and development (R&D) has played a crucial role in improving agricultural productivity, enhancing the resilience of farming system and ensuring food security worldwide. During the last few decades, assessing and understanding the impact of research is of increasing importance in light of the need to provide public research organizations with reliable information on how R&D investments are generating impacts. The culture of R&D impact assessment is indeed still developing, requiring a multifaceted approach to the consideration of the economic, social and environmental dimensions. This paper aims to provide a synthesis of three decades of agricultural research impact assessment at institutional governance level, highlighting its broader implications for the agri-food sector, the lessons learned and future directions.

ABSTRACT Multilevel network (MLN) coordination during disasters is complex due to interorganizational interactions and varied organizational arrangements. This study examines MLN governance by assessing disaster response plans and policies in a regional county during Hurricane Irma (2017). Through literature review and documentary analysis, it compares the planned effort with actual coordination. Findings indicate significant coordination differences across government levels and sectors. This highlights the value of documents in understanding MLN disaster response and improving future coordination efforts.

The BLUD (Regional Public Service Agency) program has been and is still being implemented in Vocational High Schools (SMKN) in West Java from 2022 to 2025. This study aims to assess whether the governance of BLUD in SMKN is effective according to implementation standards and criteria. It adopts a program evaluation approach using the CIPP model (Context, Input, Process, Product/Output). The data analysis technique includes qualitative analysis and descriptive statistics. To evaluate the overall effectiveness of BLUD governance across the four CIPP aspects, the Glickman quadrant model is applied. The findings show: 1) SMKN BLUDs in West Java implement their programs, financial, and non-financial activities based on the legal framework provided by the Governor of West Java, which serves as a standard reference. 2) Financial and non-financial accountability in SMKN BLUDs is reflected through their governance structure, particularly the presence of leaders and appointed BLUD managers. 3) Based on data from surveys, in-depth interviews, and field observations analyzed using the Glickman quadrant, the financial and non-financial accountability aspects fall into Quadrant II, indicating an effective level of governance.