Private Sector Research Articles

A comprehensive exposition of the synergistic collaboration between the public and private spheres in healthcare

Public–private partnerships (PPPs) are a type of partnerships between the government and the private sector. PPPs promote innovation in healthcare by combining the resources of the public and private sectors. They provide advantages such as improved service, enhanced accessibility, and cost savings. However, they also have drawbacks such as divergent goals, hesitancy, influence imbalances, and limited data. This review focuses to examine types of PPP in healthcare such as service contracts, operations, maintenance contracts, and capital projects, with a focus on their diverse applications and impacts, its benefits, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, challenges, divergence goals, issues about prices, disputes, and the influence of private sector on healthcare quality, access, and costs in Indian scenario. The review also provides a comprehensive and globally relevant exploration of PPP in healthcare, with a special focus on dental care, non-clinical services, and pragmatic insights into its challenges and solutions, offering a valuable resource for stakeholders in the field.

Evaluating the Financial Performance of Retail Oil Distribution Companies in India: A Comparative Study of Public and Private Sectors

This study examines the financial performance of public and private sector retail oil distribution companies in India from 2013 to 2023. The research focuses on two hypotheses: first, that private sector companies (RIL and Nayara Energy) demonstrate superior profitability metrics (ROCE, ROA, ROE) compared to public sector counterparts (BPCL, HPCL, IOCL) due to operational flexibility and market-driven strategies; and second, public sector companies exhibit lower financial leverage (Debt-Equity Ratio) reflecting conservative financial management and government oversight. Statistical tools such as ANOVA were employed to analyse ten years of financial data, revealing significant differences in profitability metrics favouring private-sector companies, and lower financial leverage among public-sector entities. These findings provide investors, policymakers, and stakeholders valuable insights in understanding sectoral dynamics and making informed decisions. The study contributes to the existing literature by illustrating distinct financial strategies and performance trends within India's retail oil distribution sector, crucial for strategic planning and regulatory frameworks in the energy industry.

The Role of Simulation Science in Public Health at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: An Overview and Analysis of the Last Decade

Environmental exposures are ubiquitous and play a significant, and sometimes understated, role in public health as they can lead to the development of various chronic and infectious diseases. In an ideal world, there would be sufficient experimental data to determine the health effects of exposure to priority environmental contaminants. However, this is not the case, as emerging chemicals are continuously added to this list, furthering the data gaps. Recently, simulation science has evolved and can provide appropriate solutions using a multitude of computational methods and tools. In its quest to protect communities across the country from environmental health threats, ATSDR employs a variety of simulation science tools such as Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) modeling, and benchmark dose (BMD) modeling, among others. ATSDR’s use of such tools has enabled the agency to evaluate exposures in a timely, efficient, and effective manner. ATSDR’s work in simulation science has also had a notable impact beyond the agency, as evidenced by external researchers’ widespread appraisal and adaptation of the agency’s methodology. ATSDR continues to advance simulation science tools and their applications by collaborating with researchers within and outside the agency, including other federal/state agencies, NGOs, the private sector, and academia.

Islamic banking finance and private sector investment in dual banking systems: the impact of institutional quality

Islamic banking finance and private sector investment in dual banking systems: the impact of institutional quality

A VAR Framework of Exchange Rates, Interest Rates, and Inflation Through COVID-19 in Turkey: Empirical Evidence From Linear Cointegration and Causality Analysis

In this study, we investigate the impact of exchange rates and interest rates on inflation in Turkey using monthly data from January 2004 to July 2020 obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute. Our vector autoregressive (VAR) model showed an evidence of stochastic behaviour among the series. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) results showed a short-run and long-run covariate between exchange rates, interest rates and inflation. Specifically, the findings showed a short-run and long-run relationship between inflation, producer price index (PPI), and Turkish interbank offer rates (TIBOR). However, there was no connection between inflation and dollar exchange rates (DSR) and commercial banks’ interest rates (CBIR). The VAR Granger causality results revealed the variables to be exogenous except DSR, which displayed endogenous to other variables. Nevertheless, the results revealed unidirectional causality from the producer price index (PPI) to DSR and unidirectional causation from TIBOR to CBIR. It means an increase in production costs through raw materials importation led to devaluation of the Turkish lira. Similarly, TIBOR rates drive CBIR high, making domestic lending more expensive, which will inhibit loan provisions to the private sectors, which will result in an economic contraction and eventually high inflation. Our unit roots breakpoint results pointed to breaks in the dataset were between 2016-2019, reflecting the effects of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) failed coup, the 2018 U.S. embargo, and an assumed fiscal dominance as the major and direct causes of economic instability and inflation. However, Covid-19 may have acted as a contributing factor since then. Thus, we recommend that the monetary authorities articulate policy to avoid the assumed fiscal dominance.

The impact of vocabulary assessments on quality of life: Insights from professionals on their application with students with disabilities.

Assessing vocabulary skills is a crucial aspect of educational interventions for students with disabilities, as it directly influences their academic progress, overall communication abilities, and quality of life. This study aims to explore professionals' perceptions regarding the vocabulary assessments used with students with disabilities. By gaining insights into their perspectives and experiences, we can improve the assessment process and enhance instructional practices, ultimately contributing to a better Quality of Life (QoL) for these students. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire completed by 375 professionals working in the field of special education. The findings indicate that professionals in the private sector express higher satisfaction levels and demonstrate better proficiency in applying vocabulary assessment tools compared to those in the public sector. Furthermore, the results reveal that professionals specializing in speech and language disorders report higher satisfaction levels compared to professionals in other specialized areas.

Public pension contract minimalism

AbstractThe national pension debt and COVID crises have collided. Post‐pandemic economic decline has escalated existing financial strains on state and local pension plans, impacting workers and the public welfare. With unfunded obligations exceeding one trillion dollars, many of these plans are in jeopardy. But the movement to reform government pension contracts has yet to adopt an anchoring idea, leaving judicial decisions in disarray and policymakers without guidance about how to shore up troubled retirement systems. The crux of the problem is the many meanings of contract under state and US Contract Clauses that prevent pension reform. This Essay endorses a promising path forward—contract minimalism. “Contract minimalism” concentrates on the duration of government pension contracts. It posits that public and private employment law should be treated the same. Like its private law counterpart, public sector employment at‐will ought to consist of a daily contract interval. A contract‐a‐day concept entitles employers to change the plan prospectively, with employees receiving a proportionate share of benefits for work performed. Just as several agreements safeguard salaries for labor, they should also mirror the protection afforded to deferred benefits like pensions. Contract minimalism additionally puts public and private sector employers on the same legal footing as to the authority to change pension plan terms. Thus, it aligns public pension benefits with overlapping fields of law, placing them on a firm conceptual foundation. The minimalist approach also has the advantage over approaches that are insufficiently attentive to scarce government resources or employee old‐age security. By protecting pension benefits early and incrementally, it advances a middle path with fairer, more coherent results. In the present post‐pandemic era of hard choices, minimalism provides an equilibrium between the over‐ and under‐protection of pension benefits.

Voices from the ground: Qualitative perspectives on Ugandan national mental health system strengths, challenges, and recommendations

Mental health capacity building is a growing priority in Ugandan healthcare systems. Despite increased governmental attention to community mental health and mental healthcare needs, no empirical assessments document qualitative perspectives from stakeholders in the Ugandan mental health system. The goal of the current needs assessment study was to systematically explore stakeholders’ perceptions of strengths, challenges, and recommendations for enhancing capacity in the national mental health system in Uganda. Using ethnographic research methods, data were collected from 15 key informant interviews and four community focus groups with a total of 44 stakeholders involved in mental healthcare in Uganda. Thematic analyses of data yielded several themes in each domain, including 1) system strengths reflected in the existing policy and action plan, free medications, growing private sector, and partnerships and collaborations; 2) system challenges including socioeconomic constraints, stigma, and limited family engagement; and 3) recommendations surrounding enhanced education and training, integrating systemic approaches, and policy advocacy. We describe clinical, research, and policy implications that can inform systemic mental health efforts in Uganda and comparable global settings.

Financial Development and Private Investment

This paper finds that financial sector growth is key to boosting private investment in Pakistan. Banks, as financial intermediaries, enhance private investment by lowering risks and supporting decision-making through strong accounting standards. A broader financial system—measured by the ratio of commercial bank assets—positively impacts private investment. Financial deepening, or increasing liquid liabilities, also plays a critical role, as a developed banking system reduces transaction costs and improves fund access. Increasing private sector credit drives investment, so aligning the credit system with Pakistan's investment needs is essential. Strengthening financial intermediaries, enforcing contracts, and managing risks are necessary steps to support Pakistan’s financial sector growth and stimulate investment.

The Role of Arbitration in Resolving Collective Labour Disputes: A Comparative Study of Public and Private Sectors

This paper aims at analysing how arbitration is used to solve collective labour relations by evaluating the application and results in both the public and the private sectors. This paper aims at assessing the effectiveness of arbitration as one of the ADR methods in dealing with disputes, in the two sectors. In the course of the study, the research compares arbitration with a view to identifying its effectiveness in sustaining industrial peace and reducing strikes. Employing a qualitative research design, data was collected from literature, case analyses and works from labour organisations. The results show that arbitration really works in both sectors, though the process is dependent on the legal and institutional frameworks. Arbitration is much more structured in the public sector because of legislation than it does in the private sector where flexibility results in swift outcomes. This paper concludes by identifying the policy significance of these findings for labour policy reform and exploring future research directions.

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT AS A CATALYST FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Objective and relevance. The purpose of this article is to study the role of local self-government in the development of social entrepreneurship in Ukraine, in particular in the context of decentralisation. In many countries, including Ukraine, local governments play an important role in stimulating the development of social entrepreneurship. In the context of decentralisation in Ukraine, local communities have been empowered to manage their resources, which opens up new opportunities to support businesses focused on the public good. This article explores how local self-government can become a catalyst for the development of social entrepreneurship, looking at both the opportunities and challenges of this process. As local communities gain more autonomy in managing their resources and addressing local issues, social entrepreneurship becomes a key tool for addressing social, economic and environmental challenges. This topic is highly relevant given the ongoing decentralisation reforms in Ukraine, the social and economic impact of the war, and the potential of social enterprises to contribute to sustainable community development. This study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The authors reviewed the literature on social entrepreneurship theory and practice, as well as examples of successful social enterprises in Ukraine and abroad. Interviews with local authorities and social entrepreneurs were used to collect primary data. In addition, a comparative analysis of the legal and regulatory framework for social enterprises at the local level was conducted. This study shows that local governments can play a significant role in promoting social entrepreneurship through financial support, simplifying administrative procedures, and facilitating partnerships between the private sector and civil society organizations. However, challenges remain, including limited financial resources, bureaucratic barriers, and a lack of awareness of the potential of social entrepreneurship among both local officials and the public. This article provides practical recommendations for local authorities to strengthen their support for social entrepreneurship, including the development of targeted grant programs, educational initiatives and cooperation projects with the private sector. By implementing these measures, local authorities can contribute to solving pressing social problems while stimulating economic growth and innovation at the community level.

Perceptions of service providers on available care for paediatric feeding disorder: A survey study.

This study aimed to describe current strengths and gaps in services for children with feeding needs in Southeast Queensland, Australiafrom the perspective of key professionals involved in service design and provision. A web-based survey was distributed to health professionals involved in providing services to children with feeding needs, staff who triaged/managed referrals, and/or service team leaders in Southeast Queensland. There were 79 responses to the survey, with 61 of these responses included in the analysis. Respondents identified several strengths in paediatric feeding disorder (PFD) service provision, particularly in the quality of care available for children who met service eligibility requirements. However, respondents also described services as disjointed, with limited coordinated multidisciplinary care available. Respondents frequently described service limitations relating to public service eligibility criteria, long waiting lists, and scant communication between services. Gaps were reported in the care available for children with 'mild' feeding difficulties and/or children who were not considered medically complex. Respondents also identified gaps in services secondary to a limited number of confident and trained professionals offering PFD care, particularly in the private sector. This study described service providers' perceptions of available care for children with PFD in Southeast Queensland. Overall, the availability of PFD services appeared to be limited by eligibility criteria, service design, and staff capacity, suggesting that children with PFD are not receiving timely, multidisciplinary care in this geographical area. Further research into ideal service design is required to support preventative PFD care.

Geomatics: Technology and Applications - A Training Programme for Women Scientists

Abstract. Geomatics, also known as geospatial technology and geomatics engineering, analyzes spatially referenced geographical information. Geomatics is a scientific term. It consists of tools and techniques. Technology is advancing, and modern Geomatics has the utility of maps by analyzing it with many coverages, each with interrelated themes combined to give meaningful answers for decision-makers. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to analyze spatial and nonspatial parameters together for decision-making at the local and global levels. Spatial information represented in the form of thematic maps about the respective attribute data, the system called, Geographical Information System (GIS), has been more popular during the last decades in government and private sectors. The decision support system can take input of data from these sources and analyze multiple parameters together to plan and manage available resources. This training program was intended for women scientists, researchers, academia, and professionals who were engaged and using spatial information, and who wanted to add and upgrade their skills. It was anticipated that a proportion of the trainee participants would come from research and academia. This training program helped participants generate interest in the use of GIS technology in their respective research and professional domains. This paper elaborately describes the process, and structure of the short-term capacity-building training program, and its usefulness for young scientists and professionals, specifically a target group is ‘women in science’ who have not been able to remain in the continue its use and are interested in building a career in geospatial technology field.

Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Career Readiness for Agricultural Graduates in India

Agricultural Educational institutions are striving to enhance their methodologies to equip graduates with skills that meet diverse industry demands. While graduates are trained in foundational agricultural science, there is a growing recognition that securing suitable employment requires competencies beyond technical expertise. The study identifies notable gaps in these skill sets among graduates, indicating that while educational programs assess technical abilities rigorously, there is room for improvement in developing broader employability skills. The research involved final-year undergraduate students, alumni, and employers from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). A 67-item questionnaire was administered to students, alumni and employers. The 67 items were grouped into 16 skill categories and percentage analysis was carried out for better understanding. The analysis revealed that a significant portion of students (67.12%) are female, reflecting a positive trend in gender participation in agricultural education. However, the preference for government jobs among 85% of students raises concerns about their willingness to explore opportunities in the private sector, which may limit their career options. The study’s findings also reveal discrepancies in perceptions of essential employability skills among students, alumni, and employers. Students and alumni rated "Listening" as the most critical skill, while employers prioritized "Problem Solving and Analytic" skills. Furthermore, the study advocates for robust career guidance programs that encourage students to consider diverse career paths, including the private sector. Additionally, addressing gender disparities in the workforce is crucial to ensure equitable opportunities for all graduates.

Public, Private and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to Implement a One Health Approach to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in Colombia

Abstract The establishment of public-private partnerships (PPPs) within Colombia, Latin America, is a recent, innovative effort within the nation’s agricultural industry to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) under a One Health approach. PPPs are a formal alliance between representatives from the public and private sectors that aim to promote cross-sectoral collaboration, stewardship and accountability. Members agree on shared objectives and responsibilities, resources and risks to establish monitoring, prevention and mitigation activities against AMR within the farming industry. Key learnings of this initiative within the context of Colombia include: maximisation of results when monitoring is assigned to the private sector, and this may apply to other lower-middle-income countries (LMICs); objectives are better achieved when they are pre-defined according to time, budget and human resource constraints of member institutions; and confidentiality agreements must be consistent with the sensitive nature of surveillance information. Barriers to implementation were also identified, such as frequent changes of government personnel at decision making levels that make governance planning and adaptation challenging, while legal formalities and bureaucracy hinder formalisation of agreements. The success of this PPP is a useful example for other LMICs to aid in the control and prevention of animal diseases, promotion of food safety and reduction in poor animal health which limit commerce, while at the same time, minimising production loss and ensuring the provision of a fair income for producers. Information © The Authors 2024

Managing boundaries: exploring the experiences of line-managers who provide mental health support in the workplace

The increase in mental ill-health amongst the working population presents a serious challenge for organisations. Line-managers are an important provider of support to staff with psychological distress (PD), their experiences however, are under-researched. In response, we interviewed 15 line-managers from the private, public, and voluntary sector about their support provision to subordinates with PD. Drawing upon workplace social support and boundary management theory we explored line-manager confidence, boundaries of the manager/subordinate relationship, and how they navigate the competing demands of their role. We found that organisational psychosocial climate and context are key factors: a stressful or demanding working environment, and/or unsupportive colleagues can undermine the capacity of line-managers to provide social support. Theoretical contributions include focusing on the provider, rather than recipient, of social support and integrating social support and boundary management theory. Practical recommendations include removing the onus on line-managers to provide support and advocating shared organisational responsibility for support from multiple sources, underpinned by a wider remit of policies and procedures. This paper includes line-manager narratives around employee mental ill-health including reference to suicide, that some readers may find distressing.

Institutional quality configuration for encouraging private capital participation in PPP projects: evidence from 36 belt and road countries

PurposeThis study aims to explore how institutional quality impacts private capital participation in large-scale infrastructure development, particularly in public–private partnership (PPP) projects, aiming to enhance incentives for private sector involvement.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on new institutional theory, a triangular theoretical framework was constructed to analyze the high participation of private capital in PPP projects, focusing on seven key institutional factors. Data from 1,319 PPP projects across 36 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries from 2015 to 2020 were then analyzed using a combination of necessary condition analysis (NCA) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to evaluate the combined impact and interactions of these factors.FindingsResults indicate that high private capital participation does not hinge on a single institutional quality factor but results from the synergistic influence of multiple factors. The paths leading to high private capital participation can be categorized as regulatory-led, normative-cognitive synergistic, regulatory-normative synergistic and institutional failure-led. Among these, regulatory quality plays a central role in the regulatory-led; the synergy between political stability and voice and accountability is pivotal in the normative-cognitive synergistic, and the rule of law, in combination with voice and accountability, is essential to the regulatory-normative synergistic.Originality/valueThis research systematically examines the multidimensional impact of institutional quality, revealing how different institutional factors interact to influence private capital’s willingness to participate and behavior. It enriches applied research in institutional economics within PPP projects and provides a new theoretical perspective and methodological framework to the scholarly community.

State, Market and Development: Private Sector Participation in Public Services

K. B. Saxena, Private Sector Participation in Public Services—Health (Aakar Books, 2022), 296 pp., ₹995, ISBN: 978-9350027615 (Hardback). K. B. Saxena, Private Sector Participation in Public Services—Education (Aakar Books, 2022), 348 pp., ₹995, ISBN: 978-9350027622 (Hardback). K. B. Saxena, Private Sector Participation in Public Services—Civic Amenities (Aakar Books, 2023), 492 pp., ₹1,200, ISBN: 978-9350028070 (Hardback).

The Eectricity Crisis and the Feasibility of Nuclear Energy in Egypt

The power outage crisis is increasing in Egypt, negatively affecting many other sectors such as industry, agriculture, and trade. In light of the lack of sufficient capacity to meet the growing needs of consumers, which has led to regular power shortages and power outages. While Egypt needs additional energy, the production of gas and oil needed to generate thermal energy decreased in 2014, and Egypt moved from an exporter of natural gas to a net importer. In addition to this, the volume of subsidies allocated to energy increased, the rise in global prices for oil and natural gas, and the need for huge investments to create Power generation plants, development of transportation networks, and distribution of electrical energy, which led to pressure on the general budget. A continuous and reliable supply of electricity is needed for Egypt's social and economic development. Accordingly, the government encouraged the development of new energy, invited the private sector to participate in energy generation, and a number of government reforms were made in order to enhance competition in the energy market, which required the need to study the possibility of providing it using nuclear energy. Its stations have a high load capacity, operate almost at full capacity all the time, are characterized by the stability of the electrical network and energy independence, and avoid the risks of fuel price shocks, and the costs of generating electricity from them decrease with increasing production. The importance of this research lies in highlighting the challenges facing the structure of the electricity sector in Egypt, and studying the advantages enjoyed by nuclear energy as the most important renewable energy sources in the world. Its importance also lies in comparing nuclear energy with other energy sources, and trying to benefit Egypt from obtaining this energy for use. In economic development projects, rationalizing tariffs and supporting their access to the poor. <i>This research is divided into</i>:<i>The first topic</i>: The electricity generation crisis in Egypt and a development vision for the contribution of nuclear energy to its solution, <i>The second topic</i>: trends in development planning for establishing nuclear plants in Egypt. The electricity generation crisis in Egypt and a development vision for the contribution of nuclear energy to its solution.

Community engagement in rural and urban marginalized communities in Jamaica: Building community resilience in crisis

ABSTRACT In the Caribbean, Jamaica mobilized strategies to ensure that the most vulnerable were protected against the threats and fears of COVID-19 and other crises over time. One strategy involved wide-scale collaboration with public and private sectors, non-governmental and community-based organizations, and volunteers. This study describes the approach taken by stakeholders in response to the needs of vulnerable residents in marginalized communities, and to highlight the experiences building community resilience during COVID-19. Three questions guided the research: 1) What major issues that affected the community during the COVID-19 crisis? 2) What measures have been implemented to help communities manage and adapt coping mechanism during this crisis? and 3) How has the community shown resilience and recovery in mitigating crises? A descriptive research design was employed comprising focus groups and interviews. We sampled 28 participants from 7 non-governmental organizations and 12 communities in rural and urban Jamaica. The analysis generated policy recommendations.