Local Government Research Articles

Interaction between National and Local Governments in Rural Revitalization of China

The article examines the specifics of the interaction of rural working group sent by the Communist Party of China to rural areas with local party bodies and rural self-government; analyzes the selection mechanism and staffing requirements of such groups. Rural working group are an important institutional mechanism by which the party pursues its political line in rural areas. In different historical periods, the content of work in villages and the focus of assistance have changed. Such changes reflected to a certain extent the relationship between the rights of the rural community and the state authorities, as a result of which the village management structure was in a state of constant debugging. After the completion of the formation of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the criteria for the selection and evaluation of personnel for working group on rural development sent to villages became more stringent. Despite the symbiotic relationship between rural groups and rural "two committees" (the local government committee and the local CPC committee) from the point of view of institutional norms, the specific practice of their interaction has a number of problems, among which are blurring in the distribution of powers and responsibilities, contradictions in the motivations of the activities of workers' working group on rural development and local "two committees". In this regard, rural target groups face a twofold task. First, they must comprehensively and correctly integrate into the daily activities and life of the village in order to build harmonious relations with farmers and rural "two committees". Secondly, such groups should pay more attention to two-way communication with organizations and institutions responsible for the mission of the task force to rural areas; do not hide the difficulties in their work and inform the leadership of the structures that sent the task force to the village about the problems that arise in order to receive all the necessary sufficient assistance.

Spatial Agglomeration, Industrial Land Price and Enterprise Innovation: Evidence from Micro-data of Land Transactions in Industrial Enterprises

It has become a consensus in academic circles that enterprise spatial agglomeration promotes technological innovation through comparative advantage of factor cost and knowledge spillover effect. With the increase of agglomeration degree, the advantage of low cost is gradually lost, and even under the constraint of financing, it will inhibit the innovation and development of enterprises. By constructing a new micro-level spatial agglomeration index, this paper investigates the dynamic impact of corporate spatial agglomeration on corporate innovation from the perspective of agglomeration cost. On the basis of using the longitude and latitude of industrial enterprises to construct a new index of agglomeration, this paper further carries out a comprehensive matching on the land market transaction data, patent application data and industrial enterprise data, obtains the micro-data at the enterprise level from 2007 to 2014, and constructs a non-linear intermediary effect model with industrial land price as the breakthrough point. The empirical results show that corporate spatial agglomeration has an “inverted U” effect on corporate innovation. The reason is that agglomeration costs such as increased competition caused by excessive spatial agglomeration and the rise in industrial land prices tighten corporate capital constraints, affect corporate resource allocation, and cause enterprises to reduce research and development investment. Research on heterogeneity shows that industrial enterprises have obvious preference characteristics for the direction of innovation investment in different stages of spatial agglomeration. According to this, the local government should scientifically control the agglomeration layout, on the one hand, give full play to the knowledge spillover effect of agglomeration, and on the other hand, mitigate the adverse impact of the rapid increase in land prices on innovation.

Open government and municipal effectiveness: Towards a modernization of the state in a region of the Peruvian jungle

The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between open government and municipal effectiveness State a region of the Peruvian jungle. The research followed a quantitative approach with a non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational design. The population comprised citizens of State in a region of the Peruvian jungle, with a sample of 625 individuals. A structured survey was employed as the data collection technique, using a validated questionnaire as the instrument. The results revealed a positive, high, and significant correlation between governance and municipal effectiveness (Spearman’s Rho = 0.813, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the dimensions of transparency, integrity, accountability, and citizen participation showed moderate to high correlations with municipal effectiveness, with accountability (Rho = 0.779) emerging as the most influential dimension. It was concluded that the principles of open government play a crucial role in shaping the perception of effective municipal management. This underscores the need to strengthen transparency, integrity, and citizen participation policies to enhance public services and foster trust in local authorities.

Livelihood Vulnerability to Climate Change of Casava Smallholders in Central Highlands of Vietnam

This study utilized the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) within the IPCC framework (LVI-IPCC) for cassava farming households in the central highlands of Vietnam. Data were gathered from a household survey (364 households) in Krong Bong and Ea Kar districts, Dak Lak province, in-depth interviews (22 key informants) and two focus group discussions. By analyzing variations in LVI components and conducting a Poisson regression analysis, the results revealed that cassava farming households in the studied areas exhibited moderate vulnerability to climate change and variability. Variations in vulnerability levels were observed between the two districts, with disparities found across sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity. Differences in LVI were also evident between the Kinh and ethnic minority groups and between the poor and non-poor farming households, primarily attributable to variations in adaptive capacity. Key determinants of household livelihood vulnerability included the intensity of climate risks, the frequency of extreme climate events, market risks, environmental shocks, land slope, land area at risk of flooding, climate change knowledge, transportation means, market linkages, access to credit, and income diversification. The study further proposed strategies for local authorities and relevant agencies to enhance climate change resilience among cassava farming households.

Mechanisation applied to entomological production cannot ignore insect reactivity: a case study on Bombyx mori in the context of the 'Serinnovation' project.

In December 2017 the Venetian Region (local Authority), financed the creation of the Operational Group (OG) 'Serinnovation', within the framework of the Rural Development Plan supported by the European Community. The OG aims at coordinating and spreading innovation in sericulture through mechanisation of processes and centralisation of some rearing steps, the use of waste as by-products and traceability to promote local productions. The project acts on perceived quality by increasing the added value, through production cost efficiency, and on the recovery of the waste material for further applications (circular economy). The final target was to develop a niche-process to obtain traceable 'Made-in-Italy' silk for the luxury market and non-textile applications. A first strategy to increase the efficiency of the process was to build an automatic leaf cutting machine to prepare the feed for the first three instars of the silkworm (Bombyx mori Linnaeus). This new machine - based on a patent - was validated through several tests and compared with the cutting system previously used. The study was completed by a bioassay of production and survival rate associated with the introduction of this innovation. The results showed that labour saving is in the order of 10% compared to a semi-manual process, the leaf quality is not affected, survival of larvae and silk production are not significantly different from the control. This methodology is proposed as a study case for other similar mechanisation processes in entomological production, as the impact of innovations on insect physiology should be carefully considered.

Green Energy Co-operation Mechanisms Between China and Countries along the Belt and Road: The Role of Chinese Local Governments and International Organizations

As global climate issues have intensified, promoting green energy has become the key to solving the problem. This paper explores the role of Chinese local governments and international organizations in promoting green energy cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It highlights the importance of such partnerships for accelerating energy transitions in underdeveloped countries. The study argues that local governments in China have translated central policies into local action, supporting the development of green energy projects along the Belt and Road through policy responses, promoting local projects, and mobilizing local businesses to invest. At the same time, this article classifies the international organizations participating in the BRI as platform-type organizations and participatory organizations. The former provides effective financial tools for Belt and Road green energy projects, and the latter uses existing influence to promote the construction of an international discourse on a consensus-driven green Belt and Road. Effective green energy cooperation requires a multi-level approach that includes policy adaptations, infrastructure construction, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms. Research on the role and influence of actors within cooperation networks and the relationships among multiple actors may provide a reference for broader green cooperation on a global scale.

Perceived legitimacy of accounting reform in Latin America: the accountants’ perspective

PurposeThis research analyzes accountants’ perception of the normative legitimacy of accounting reforms in local governments across Latin America.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 accountants from seven Latin American countries. This qualitative, inductive and interpretive study employs a comparative thematic analysis.FindingsThe results show that accountants in the analyzed Latin American countries have different perceptions about convergence to IPSAS and accounting standards legitimacy, which may affect IPSAS implementation and application in the countries.Originality/valueThe research focuses on the accountant’s perception as one of the agents of change in accounting reform. It offers an in-depth analysis of the IPSAS adoption process and highlights factors to consider in the development of the accounting reform.

Level of Public Awareness in Protecting the Environment in Pantai Cermin Kanan Subdistrict

Because many people do not understand the importance of protecting the environment, public awareness of the condition of the surrounding environment is still very low. As a result, many people continue to throw garbage in the wrong place, causing a lot of household waste to pollute the environment. In Pantai Cermin Kanan Village, there is a problem of low environmental awareness. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of public awareness of environmental management in Pantai Cermin Kanan Village. This study applies quantitative descriptive. Because the study population was 1,212 families, 92 families were taken as random samples using non-probability sampling techniques. The results of the study showed that people who sometimes litter were 54.3%, the most people who did not process waste were 76.6%, and the lack of community participation in farming (58%). This study found that people in Pantai Cermin Kanan Village were less aware of the importance of farming, waste processing, and protecting the environment. It is recommended that the local government and the private sector work together to improve public socialization and education about the importance of protecting the environment, managing waste, and farming. The majority of people still litter and do not process waste (58%). The conclusion of this study is that the level of public awareness in protecting the environment, waste management, and farming in Pantai Cermin Kanan Village is still low. The majority of people still litter, do not process waste, and are not active in farming, it is recommended to the local government and collaboration with the private sector to increase socialization and education to the community about the importance of protecting the environment, waste management, and the benefits of farming.

Engaging youth students in community issues: The efficacy of a citizenship education programme in Kenya

This article explores the implementation and impact of a local democracy programme as a citizenship education framework in Kenya. Focusing on the pedagogical approach of ‘Transmission, Transaction and Reflection’ in Kenya, it examines how secondary students engage with local democratic governance and societal issues by creating and distributing reports in their newsletters. The study reveals the benefits and challenges of integrating citizenship education into the curriculum, highlighting the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, and demonstrates that experiential learning activities, such as student-led reporting, can significantly enhance students’ understanding of democratic values and active citizenship. It underscores the necessity of bridging the theoretical–practical divide to effectively prepare students for their roles as engaged, empowered and ethical citizens. These valuable insights into pedagogical strategies can foster more inclusive and participatory citizenship education in Kenya and similar African contexts.

Navigating Resistance: The Minangkabau Indigenous Community's Opposition to the Land Certification Program in West Sumatra, Indonesia

The customary land certification program, launched in 2016 by Indonesia’s National Land Agency, continues to encounter resistance from certain indigenous communities. This study aims to explore the forms of resistance, the underlying drivers of this opposition, and strategies to address these challenges. Adopting a qualitative descriptive research design and employing a case study methodology, data were collected through in-depth interviews with thirteen informants, field observations, and analysis of relevant documents. The findings highlight three key insights. First, indigenous communities resist the program by refraining from participating, driven by concerns over the privatization of communal land. Second, this resistance is exacerbated by violations of customary practices, particularly the buying and selling of communal land following the issuance of ownership certificates. Third, mitigating this resistance requires a strategic revision of regulations governing the issuance of customary land certificates. The active involvement of local authorities and the integration of indigenous cultural values are critical for ensuring the program's success and fostering broader acceptance of land administration policies. This study underscores the importance of culturally sensitive policy frameworks and collaborative governance in addressing indigenous land rights, contributing to the broader discourse on sustainable land administration in multicultural societies.

Social workers dealing with situations of abuse against adults and older people: a research study in an Italian region

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the point of view and the interventions of social workers working in local authority social services on the issue of abuse against vulnerable adults and older people. The cases are analyzed from the perspective of dangerous care, considering the interpersonal level of violence and the structural and contextual conditions. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a qualitative methodology; 49 semistructured interviews with social workers across seven districts in a province in Northern Italy were carried out. The interviews included both open-ended questions and the description of specific cases. Findings This study highlights how the shortcomings in the welfare system (lack of legislation, dedicated services and protocols between different services) and the complexity of cases (often involving family members with personal issues) negatively impact social workers’ professional practice. Social workers often operate in solitude and encounter ethical dilemmas. This isolation can lead them to adopt an approach aimed at controlling situations, which may not always take into account the preferences of the individuals directly involved. Research limitations/implications This study captures the perspectives of social workers within a limited geographic area. To gain a more comprehensive understanding, it would be beneficial to extend research to a national level. Another limitation is the absence of the opinion of those directly involved. Originality/value There is currently no research in Italy that explores the opinions of social workers on this issue, which, in general, is little studied. The findings of this research can be highly valuable for professionals and policymakers to organize services and develop intervention protocols, which are currently lacking in the areas where the study was conducted.

The Relationship Between Work Motivation and Employee Performance in Women with Dual Roles

This research aims to determine the relationship between work motivation and the performance of female employees who play a dual role in Sleman Regency's local government agencies. This dual role phenomenon is challenging for women, as they must fulfil their obligations as housewives and workers, potentially affecting their motivation and performance. This study used a quantitative approach with a correlational method. The research subjects were married female employees aged between 20-57 years who work in government agencies in Sleman Regency. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling with specific criteria. Data were collected using a Likert scale measuring work motivation and employee performance. The data analysis using SPSS 25 showed a significant positive relationship between work motivation and the performance of female employees in dual roles (r = 0.480, p = 0.000). This finding indicates that the higher the work motivation, the higher the performance displayed by female employees, even though they also have responsibilities at home. This research contributes to understanding how work motivation can influence women's performance in the face of dual role demands and provides recommendations for policies that support women's well-being in the workplace

Inovasi Pelayanan Publik Bupati Ngantor Di Desa (BUNG DESA) Kabupaten Labuhanbatu Utara

Difficult road access and long travel distances in several areas of Labuhanbatu Utara Regency have become the main obstacles for the community in obtaining public services. In response to this issue, the Head of the Labuhanbatu Utara District launched an integrated service innovation through the "Bupati Ngantor di Desa" program. (Bung Desa). This program focuses on providing public services in one location for one day to improve community accessibility to government services. This article aims to analyze the effectiveness of the Bung Desa program as an innovation in improving the quality of public services in Labuhan Batu Utara Regency. This research uses a literature study method that includes searching for scientific references through Google Scholar and news sources related to the Bung Desa program. Relevant articles are classified based on publication year, keywords, and journal content, while news is categorized according to source, relevance, and publication time. The research results show that the Bung Desa program adopts the principles of New Public Management (NPM) and has had a positive impact. This innovation not only improves service accessibility even to remote villages but also encourages community participation in development. The success of this program is influenced by several factors, such as the awareness and capability of the apparatus, implementation regulations, and the availability of facilities and infrastructure. However, improving road infrastructure remains a priority to support smooth accessibility. In addition, the publication of schedules and activities of the Bung Desa program through official media, such as the local government website, needs to be improved to expand the reach of information to the public

​Quantitative assessment of heavy metal concentrations, pollution levels, and sources apportionment in one of China's top 10 most livable cities.

Urban topsoil is not only an essential part of the urban ecosystem, but also a powerful carrier of pollutants in the urban environment. In this paper, 130 topsoil samples from urban area of Xinyang in central-eastern China were selected, the aim is to quantitatively investigate the concentrations, pollution levels, and sources apportionment of 8 heavy metals (HMs, encompassing arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn)) via geochemical method. The main conclusions are as follows. (1) The eight HMs in the topsoil have been artificially enriched to varying degrees, which are lower than the street dust levels sampled in pairs. (2) Cu, Zn, and Pb were significantly contaminated, and As, Co, Ni, Cr, and V were relatively low levels of contamination. Overall, comprehensive pollution levels were particularly severe, with 30.0%, 39.2%, and 30.8% for slight, moderate, and serious pollution, respectively. (3) Co, Ni, V, and Cr predominantly originated from natural sources, the percentage contribution of which is 6.3%; Pb, As, Cu, and Zn were predominantly derived from traffic-derived sources, with a percentage contribution of 93.7%. Thus, the first-order source of HMs in the topsoil originates from traffic-induced activities, similar to the case of street dust. Our findings can be beneficial in providing local governments with a reference to formulate environmental pollution controls, and also provide a case study for environmental pollution control in the other livable cities in China.

Traditional Uses of Medicinal Plants by The Magar Community of Pokhara Metropolitan City

Most people still widely use medicinal plants for their primary health care needs in Nepal. Ethnomedicinal studies play a key role in conserving traditional knowledge and its use. This current research was conducted to document the medicinal plants used by the Magar community for various disease ailments among the selected wards of Pokhara Metropolitan City. This study uses both primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected through field visits, group discussions, and interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Altogether 101 medicinal plant species belonging to 55 families and 89 genera have been recorded. The dominant family was Asteraceae having 9 species. Herbs (37 species) were the most used life form of the plant while rhizomes (33 species), were the most used plant part.The most favored mode of drug preparation was found to be paste form (31 species). The highest number of plants were used for gastrointestinal disorders. The indigenous knowledge of lesser-known plants is rapidly decreasing. Therefore, necessary efforts should be taken by the federal, provincial, and local governments for the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants.

The Influence of Social Networks on Tourism Support Behaviors Among Ethnic Village Residents

In the realm of tourism intervention and the reconfiguration of social networks among residents in ethnic villages, research on tourism support behavior is pivotal for comprehending the motivations behind resident participation and fostering sustainable tourism development. This study carried out a survey of 440 residents from Huangluo Yao Village and Jinkeng Dazhai Village in Longsheng County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, using a questionnaire and explored the influencing mechanism of social networks on tourism support behavior based on the cognitive–affective processing system (CAPS) theory using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings reveal that both strong and weak ties exert direct impacts on tourism support behavior while also indirectly influencing it via cultural identity. Furthermore, government governance capacity serves as a positive moderating factor in the relationships between ethnic village residents’ social networks—both strong and weak—and cultural identity, as well as between weak ties and tourism support behavior. The conclusions drawn from this study not only enhance the understanding of the formation mechanisms underlying tourism support behavior but also offer valuable insights for local governments aiming to implement effective strategies to promote tourism development.

Analysis and Design of Regional Asset Leasing Management Information System in North Tapanuli Regency

Regional assets are something that has an essential role in the scope of local government because they have a complex value and are quite significant when compared to other components in the local government narrative. This requires local governments to be able to manage and utilize regional assets properly and correctly to increase Original Local Government Revenue in the region. Effective and efficient management of regional assets is one example of the management of the regional economy as shown in the Original Local Government Revenue. Improving the quality of regional asset management that is carried out professionally and modernly is a step taken to prioritize the principles of Good Governance. This research will discuss how to design a model for managing land assets of the North Tapanuli Regency local government that prioritizes the principles of Good Governance by utilizing information technology in the form of designing an information system that is expected to bring changes to the institutions that use it. The information system is expected to make the management of land assets spread across 15 sub-districts neater and more well-organized. In addition, the management of information related to asset leases can facilitate the reporting process and decision making. The purpose of this research is to design an information system as a reference for the Regional Finance and Asset Agency to develop an information system for managing regional assets and leasing regional assets by utilizing web-based and mobile technology. It is expected that through the information system designed in this research, the retribution payers can submit a Lease Application, upload the files of the Application Letter, and download the agreement letter through the application. Another technology that can be utilized in the information system to be built is the use of docker containers to run a lighter database and save time when storing all data related to the object of retribution, retribution payers, applications, lease agreement contracts, bills, and payments. This research also applies data storage technology that divides data into several separate units and then stored in one repository called object storage technology. This technology is used to store large data, create backup copies and archives, and store large amounts of images, graphics, video, or audio files.

An interrogation of poor service delivery causes and their impact in local economy of Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality

South Africa's governance structure follows a three-tier system, emphasizing co-operative governance among the national, provincial, and local authorities. The responsibility for crucial service delivery lies primarily with local governments, specifically municipalities. This research delves into the problems and deficiencies associated with service delivery in the Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality, exploring the perspectives of stakeholders impacted by and responsible for service delivery at strategic, political, and administrative levels. The study employs qualitative methods, utilizing questionnaires and interviews to gather diverse insights. The research reveals a pervasive sense of apathy towards government service delivery, with a majority of local residents perceiving the municipality as unresponsive to community needs. This contributes to a trust deficit, hindering effective collaboration between residents and local authorities. Divergent perspectives on the reasons for inadequate service provision highlight the complexity of the issue. While municipal officials acknowledge their limitations, some residents resort to extreme measures, such as vandalism and criminal activities, to express their frustrations. The findings emphasize the necessity of a mediating factor to foster understanding and cooperation between local authorities and residents. Motivated by the recurrent violent confrontations and protests stemming from service delivery disputes, this research underscores the significance of addressing these issues for the well-being of citizens and the overall quality of life. Effective communication, responsiveness, accountability, and transparency emerge as essential elements to tackle the challenges identified in the study.

Evaluation of sports tourism development policy in Sumedang

The local government is making serious efforts to develop tourism in several destinations in Sumedang. Various policies regarding tourism were created to facilitate the implementation of regional tourism. To ensure the level of success of tourism policies, researchers evaluated sports tourism policies. Materials and Methods. The research method used is an evaluation method with a logic model with keys including context, input, activity, output, outcome, and impact. Research subjects include local governments, sports players, tourists, and the community. The research instruments used included interviews with 32 questions, observation, and documentation. Results. The results of this research include a context (policy, organization and program objectives), input (human resources, number of sport tourism, budget, facility time, and activities (training, material development, program implementation, and event promotion), output (participants, total income, increased employment opportunities, and improved regional image), outcome (knowledge, behaviour, social conditions, and economic quality), impact (social change, improved quality of life) Conclusions. This research provides implications for policymakers to maximise local governments' role in developing regional tourism, especially sports tourism. Evaluation of sports tourism policies in this research provide suggestions for local governments to review and make sports tourism a priority tourism.

An investigation into the relationship amongst local government employees and their performances towards the distribution of services: study of Umhlathuze Local Municipality

This study's objective was to investigate the relationship amongst the local government employees and their performances towards the distribution of services. Many employees face different challenges in their workplaces, however in a situation like service delivery it’s important for employees to be able to work well together and have a positive relationship amongst each other and avoid political conflict that may end up affecting the citizens as they are their priority. The researcher acknowledges that there are many challenges faced by local government which affect the effective service delivery, these include toxic work relationships among employees, corruption and mismanagement of funds, red tape etc. The study was based on the current legal, theoretical and conceptual perspective that applies to the protocol of the working relationship amongst employees and service provision. Diverse perspectives were used to determine whether the employees of UMhlathuze Local Municipality have the positive relationship amongst each other without the interference of the political conflict, also for the community members under UMhlathuze Local Municipality to have a voice on whether the employees are distributing services rightfully or not. This study has adopted qualitative methods for getting in-depth and interactive information from the participants. The recommendations are also made for UMhlathuze Municipality, including the theoretical framework of service delivery and the working protocol of employees within an organization.