Government Projects Research Articles

Oral health improvement and satisfaction among recipients of home-visiting oral health education

Objectives: In connection with government projects, the Gwangju medical welfare social cooperative launched the “Visit Oral Health Education Activities” as part of the Gwangju+ Gwangsan Integrated Care Service Project in 2023. This study aims to analyze the improvement in oral health and the level of satisfaction following home-visiting oral health education. Methods: A total of 51 participants who had undergone home-visiting oral health education more than seven times and agreed to participate were eligible for interviews. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: As a result of oral environment improvement and satisfaction with home-visiting oral health education, the average satisfaction scores were 4.67 for educator attitude, 4.46 for educational activities, 3.82 for oral health improvement, and 3.55 for self-management attitude improvement. Satisfaction with oral health improvement showed a positive correlation with educators’ work attitude, satisfaction with educational activities, and improvement in self-management attitude. Conclusions: To improve satisfaction with home-visiting oral health education, the development of various educational programs and standardization of educator work manuals are necessary.

Formalizing the role of community key individuals in Utrecht, the Netherlands

Abstract Issue The disconnect between (underserved) communities and governmental bodies in Utrecht, The Netherlands, has led to uneven access to (essential) healthcare services, increasing health inequalities. This gap is often bridged by key community individuals, whose roles have historically been informal. Key individuals are often seen as volunteers who are necessary to gain access to certain communities but are rarely seen as equals in a project team, resulting in mistrust and reduced collaboration on the long term on the side of the key individuals. Description of the problem This practice describes the start of a new foundation in Utrecht that formalizes and compensates key individuals’ roles in public (health) projects. The aim was to empower them and to encourage continued participation. Effects In 2024, the foundation supported key individuals in three government projects, including a childhood vaccination awareness campaign. Interviews revealed that key individuals felt more empowered and equally valued compared to other project members. They also felt a strong responsibility for project success. However, some noted that formal structures could be restrictive. The government felt more convenience working with a formal foundation. Lessons Empowering key individuals is crucial for effective collaboration in public health. There needs to be a balance between formal structures and the flexibility of informal approaches to prevent barriers for key individuals to participate in government projects. Key messages • Formalizing key individual roles enhances public health interventions. • Fair compensation to key individuals fosters sustainable collaboration.

SOUTH SUMATRA LRT (LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT) DEVELOPMENT PROJECT GOVERNANCE STUDY

The South Sumatra Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a short-term solution to welcome the 2018 Asian Games, but also as a long-term strategic step to overcome the transportation problem in Palembang, Indonesia. This research aims to understand the effectiveness of project governance and the obstacles faced in the implementation of the project. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, direct observation at the project site, and document studies involving various official reports and regulations related to project governance. Data analysis was carried out by coding and identifying the main themes, then compared with international governance standards, namely ISO 21500:2012 and ISO 21502:2020, to assess the extent to which the project's governance was in accordance with applicable standards. The findings are expected to provide recommendations for improving project governance in infrastructure development across Indonesia, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and with minimal social impact.

Employer Fraud and Toxic Leadership and Collusion with PMC Operations: Implications for a Dual Metro Project in UP, India

This research is concentrated on the opinions of a PMC/Engineer staff of a dual metro construction project in UP, India, in relation to project fraud and underpinned by toxic leadership of the Employer. The research study employed a qualitative/interpretive methodology focused on grounded theory to extract meaning associated with the views and practices regarding the Employer and PMC Core Group collusion to negatively affect the project performance and management competence. The research scope was PMC/Engineer staff as part of the joint venture, contracted by the Employer, to oversee the project management and construction. The targeted population was made up of eleven (11) respondents, from a Project Management JV (PMC), located across a dual metro construction project having similar experiences of toxic leadership and fraud. The research outcomes comprised of four (4) main-themes - Employer, PMC Core Group, PMC, and ED; with Fourteen sub-themes (14) – illustrated by 276 discussion targets.The research outcome has raised important issues of project Employer derived fraud, where toxic leadership was used to deflect from the fraudulent activities underpinned by a PMC Core Group, acting as sycophantic fraud “enablers”. These included harassment, creation of fear, arrogation of contract, and a sense of impunity of the Employer MD/DWI and the PMC Core Group. The lack of risk management and project governance, attributed to significant procedural failures of the project stakeholders, including the European donor, has raised clear evidence of ongoing and associated fraud.

The Role of Volunteers vs. Investors and Speculators in the Cryptocurrency Market: A Comparative Study of Reputation and Value Building

The cryptocurrency market, known for its volatility and rapid growth, is influenced by various actors, including investors, speculators, and volunteers. Investors and speculators often seek short-term profits, sometimes disregarding the long-term fundamentals of projects, leading to significant market instability and reputational damage. Conversely, volunteers contribute consistently to the development, governance, and sustainability of crypto projects, focusing on long-term value creation. This paper examines the contrasting roles of these groups and provides real-world examples where speculators and investors have caused harm to the market, while volunteers have played a vital role in building and preserving value.

Investigating the impact of multiple governance mechanisms on new infrastructure projects performance: evidence from China

PurposeThis study aims to construct a “contractual–relational–governmental” 3D governance framework for new infrastructure projects (NIPs) within China’s distinct institutional context. The primary objective is to explore the impact of multiple governance mechanisms on the NIP performance, thus identifying the key governance mechanisms and proposing targeted performance improvement strategies.Design/methodology/approachThe research design follows a sequential mixed methodology of integrating qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Firstly, project governance and performance indicators were collected from relevant literature and expert interviews. Secondly, a questionnaire was developed, and data were collected through on-site and online means. Finally, the partial least square structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was utilized to examine and analyze the relationships between governance mechanisms and NIP performance.FindingsContractual, relational and governmental governance all have a certain role in promoting the NIP performance. Specifically, contract stringency, trust and governmental decision are the core elements of contractual, relational and governmental governance, respectively, while commitment does not significantly affect NIP performance. Generally, relational and governmental governance exert a more substantial influence compared to contractual governance, with governmental decision and trust being the most effective.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the field by introducing PLS-SEM as a measurement tool for exploring the impact of multiple governance mechanisms on governance performance in NIPs. The results offer valuable insights for project managers, enabling them to concentrate on core factors while refining and optimizing governance mechanisms and strategies.

Challenges in assessing the effects of environmental governance systems on conservation outcomes.

Effective governance is crucial for the success of conservation projects aimed at protecting wildlife populations and supporting human well-being. However, few large-scale, comprehensive syntheses have been conducted on the effects of different environmental governance types on conservation outcomes (i.e., biological and ecological effectiveness or effects of conservation on human well-being), and clarity on the quantity and quality of evidence remains dispersed and ambiguous. We attempted a systematic map of the evidence on the effectiveness of different governance types to meet desired conservation outcomes in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. However, early in this effort, we observed a general lack of empirical research on the links between governance and conservation outcomes. To fill observed data gaps in the evidence base, we tried triangulating governance data from alternative sources (Protected Planet database) and pooling evidence from research conducted within the same conservation areas. Limited data were contained in the Protected Planet database, and governance types in conservation areas and landscapes were complex, making it difficult to use these approaches to assign governance types to conservation areas. To illustrate our observations from the failed systematic map attempt, we prepared a rapid evidence map that outlines a subset of the evidence base of articles linking governance types and governance principles with conservation outcomes. Only 3.2% (34 of 1067) of the articles we screened directly related conservation outcomes to governance type, and even fewer related governance principles to conservation outcomes. Based on our findings, we recommend improving the evidence base by supporting empirical research and increasing the availability and quality of governance data in freely accessible databases. These recommendations are critical for enhancing understanding of the role of governance in conservation projects and improving conservation outcomes.

Integrated design and procurement strategy to achieve efficient performance in design and build government project

Design and procurement integration strategies in construction projects play an important role and have an impact on the overall project cycle. Integrated design and procurement will increase productivity and reduce waste. This research aims to provide a guide to good design and procurement integration strategies in Design and Build (DB) projects in government projects. This research uses qualitative and quantitative methods in the form of a schematic literature review followed by a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the Delphi method to formulate integrated design and procurement that improve project performance. In-depth interviews were conducted with 90 respondents to explore the implementation of the design and procurement strategy on the project used as a case study. The results of this research are recommendations for an integrated design and procurement strategy which can be used as a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in DB projects on government projects so that it can provide added value from the start of the project being designed through tenders. This research can be utilized by project stakeholders, academics and anyone who will develop project performance through the integrated design and procurement in the long term.

Influence of External Stakeholder Involvement and Risk Perception on Affordable Housing: A Survey on the Implementation of Affordable Housing Project in Anderson-Ofafa Estate, Kisumu City (Kenya)

The significance of stakeholder involvement and risk forecasting in project management has been documented in literature and in studies all over the World. One such study was carried out in Anderson-Ofafa estate, Kisumu City. The main goal of the study was to assess the influence of external stakeholder involvement and risk perception on the implementation of the project. The stakeholders showed resistance to the housing project.The study aimed to establish the risks the project is exposed to based on stakeholder attitude and their influence on project performance, and whether the stakeholders were involved so as to provide solutions to problems bedeviling the project and to generate new knowledge. A survey of general respondents/ intelligent laypersons of age 18 years and above totaling 384 and key informants numbering 16 proportionately sampled from a population of 174,145 people found out that there was a significant correlation between stakeholder involvement, risk perception and project performance. In addition, the study established the occurrence of socio-political,regulatory and financial risk factors which had a perceived high influence of 50% and above, moderate influence of 39% and a very high influence of above 50% respectively.Updated risk register had a perceived high influence of 50% and above. Socio-political risk factors significantly influenced the project performance as was hypothesized by the alternative hypothesis of this study.Financial risk factors had the greatest impact.The stakeholders were involved in the project but were still not satisfied with its implementation.The results are expected to assist the project stakeholders align their goals with that of the project to foster sustainability.The practical or managerial implications is explained as follows- there are documented potential consequences and outcomes of stakeholder actions that have contributed to risk factors that will have extended effect on all stakeholders; including project beneficiaries, project providers, project influencers, and the project governance team. Interventions recommended include; Project sponsors to focus on strategies that manages risk perception and returns expectations, Project manager to reduce project scope, public sector to put measures that guarantee stability in laws and regulations and, the project should be infused into the new affordable housing program by the Kenya Kwanza government to benefit from the new government initiated housing levy fund.

Harnessing traditional institutions for sustainable leadership and good governance in Nigeria

The subject of traditional institutions cannot be undermined in the project of sustainable leadership and good governance in Nigeria given the locus and crucial role of the institution in the past and modern Nigeria. It is incontrovertible that traditional and aboriginal values are held highly with reverence and respect in virtually all parts of Nigeria. To discountenance their relevance will be too costly in any leadership-cum-governance discourse. Towns, villages and cities were duly recognized and protected as the harbingers of culture, mores, norms and values. The contemporary government structure in Nigeria duly recognizes the importance of traditional institutions by having a Commission for Local Government (LG) and Chieftaincy Affairs at all State levels. Moreover, 5% of allocations to LGs go statutorily to the tradition institution in the State. Hitherto, the recklessness and abuse of the native authority system of local government administration in the 1950s–60s had led to the moderation and reforms of the system, which has continued to affect traditional institutions to date. To this end, the paper argues that traditional institutions hold so much values and cohesive practices as well as socially integrative potentials for nation-building so much that the State can leverage on them for sustainable leadership and overall good governance. The methodology adopted for collecting data for this study is descriptive research method, which relies on primary direct observation (eye-witness) account and relevant secondary materials such as texts, journal articles, official documents and internet materials. The data collected were analyzed and presented using thematic analysis and tables. National and international data already analyzed were found essential to drive home the argument of this study. The outcome of the paper provides useful information on how traditional institutions serve as a veritable platform for sustainable leadership and good governance in Nigeria. The paper concluded that traditional institutions, with its rich culture, values and practices, possess sufficient merits to propel the country towards sustainable leadership that would concomitantly induce economic, technological and political growth in Nigeria.

Effects of Contractual and Relational Governance on Project Performance: The Role of BIM Application Level

This study aims to explore the moderating role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) between project governance and project performance. The theoretical foundation of this research is rooted in transaction cost economics. The data come from the construction industry in China’s Sichuan province. A dataset comprising 175 survey responses was subjected to analysis through the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method. The findings confirm that contract completeness and contract flexibility positively influence project performance, and trust in relational governance also has a positive impact on project performance. Additionally, the level of BIM application moderates the relationships between contract flexibility and trust with project performance. However, a significant positive relationship between contract completeness and project performance was not observed. These findings establish a groundwork for transitioning project governance research from a static to a dynamic viewpoint, thereby facilitating the practical implementation of BIM technology. As a result, this study enriches the academic comprehension of governance amidst digital transformation and provides actionable suggestions for fostering efficient governance practices within a technologically progressive landscape.

Evaluating Internal Control Mechanisms in Malaysian Public Sector Initiatives: Insights from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Reports

This study examines internal control challenges in Malaysian government projects, drawing on Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reports from 2019 to 2022. The focus on this period stems from the shift in PAC chairmanship from government to opposition, which enhanced perceived independence. However, the literature suggests that the PAC’s success depends more on collaborative decision-making than on the chairman’s political affiliation. Analyzing 29 government agencies across various sectors revealed recurring weaknesses in internal controls. The study employed the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s (COSO) Internal Control-Integrated Framework (ICIF) to systematically identify these weaknesses. A content analysis method was used to examine the themes, which were grouped into five ICIF components: control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring. Weaknesses in the control environment include conflicts of interest, compromised ethical values, inadequate governance, and a lack of accountability and transparency. Risk assessment deficiencies were found in financial risk management, procurement and acquisition risks, geopolitical and strategic risks, intellectual property and technology risks, and project management risks. Control activity weaknesses involved poor resource and process management, non-compliance, and flawed decision-making. Information and communication issues included poor documentation, inadequate system integration and data sharing, limited stakeholder engagement, weak communication protocols, and poor information management. Monitoring deficiencies were noted in regulatory compliance, contract management, financial oversight, monitoring systems, and disbursement tracking. Addressing these weaknesses in internal controls is crucial for minimizing the risks of fraud, waste, and loss of public trust

The place of strategic ecological communications in change management (based on the national project “Ecological Well-Being”)

Comprehensive improvement of the state of the environment is currently the subject of government decisions, programs and projects in Russia. This affects the interests of various audiences: business, the public, federal and regional influence groups, and hence requires strategic communications aimed at explaining, expanding the number of supporters, uniting efforts, legitimizing the governmental decisions, and changing the behavior of the audiences. The purpose of the study is to analyze the place of strategic environmental communications in the action program for the implementation of state environmental strategies. The author relies on theoretical studies of Russian and foreign authors on this issue. In the practical part, she analyzes communications in the process of forming the national project “Ecological Well-Being”. The results of the conducted study of the media and official resources of state authorities allow to consider several communicative models of behavior: public and non-public. The stage of formation of the national project is accompanied by non-public communication, which creates certain risks when information is released into the public space, since criticism and disagreement with the adoption of relevant decisions may arise from various groups. The author offers a list of possible conflict topics and examines the features of the formation of strategic environmental communications, based on M. Harvell’s matrix.

Effect of ecoliteracy on farmers’ participation in pesticide packaging waste governance behavior in rural North China

Farmers’ participation in pesticide packaging waste (PPW) governance is important for improving agricultural pollution and achieving sustainable agricultural development. By incorporating the theory of planned behavior, value-belief-norm theory, cognition and behavior theory etc., we construct a theoretical model comprising “ecoliteracy–farmers’ WTP in PPW governance–participation in PPW governance behavior.” This study investigates how ecoliteracy affects farmers’ participation in PPW governance and explores the mediating effect of farmers’ willingness to participate (WTP) in PPW governance. We use structural equation modeling to analyze data collected from a questionnaire survey including 1118 samples of Chinese farmers. The results show that (1) Ecoliteracy significantly affects farmers’ WTP in PPW governance. Ecological cognition, emotion, values, and knowledge and skills positively affect WTP in PPW governance, while ecological cognition and ecological knowledge and skills significantly affect participation in PPW governance behavior. (2) Farmers’ WTP in PPW governance mediates ecoliteracy and governance participation behavior. (3) Heterogeneity analysis reveals that different planting scales, different planting categories, and receiving/not receiving government project support have different effects on farmers’ participation in governance behavior. Farmers in the large-scale group are more likely to participate in governance than those in the medium- and small-scale groups, and farmers in the mixed grain and economic category are more likely to participate in governance than those in the economic and grain categories. Furthermore, farmers who receive government support are more likely to participate in governance than those who do not. Our results can serve as a policy making reference for promoting PPW governance in various regions.

Governance intricacies in implementing regional shared care records: A qualitative study in the national health service, England.

This study explores the governance intricacies in establishing a large-scale information infrastructure for integrated care within the National Health Service of England. By focusing on the initial 5years of a regional interoperability program, we examine the challenges and dynamics of creating a unified system across organizational boundaries. A longitudinal multi-methods approach was utilized, collecting data through interviews with health and social care personnel involved in project governance, meeting observations, and document analysis. This provided an in-depth understanding of the processes and challenges of developing the regional interoperability program. This study reveals a dynamic negotiation process and evolving governance structures that must continuously adapt to integrate diverse systems. Key findings include challenges in reconciling multiplicity and heterogeneity, the importance of social learning and stakeholder adaptation, and the role of ongoing negotiation and collaborative group construction in implementing interorganizational infrastructures. This study underscores the necessity of continuous adaptation and negotiation among stakeholders in establishing effective governance of integrated care infrastructures. Social learning and active participation play pivotal roles in overcoming the challenges associated with system integration. Strategic insights from this research can guide stakeholders in developing sociotechnical solutions for digital interorganizational infrastructures in integrated care.

How do capable village cadres influence the effectiveness of rural living environment improvement? Empirical evidence from China

Rural Living Environment Improvement (RLEI) is crucial for constructing an ecological civilization and revitalizing rural areas. This study conducts an empirical analysis of the influence of capable village cadres on RLEI effectiveness, using microeconomic data from 173 villages across seven Chinese provinces between 2012 and 2019. The findings reveal a progressive enhancement in the RLEI among the surveyed villages over this timeframe. However, disparities persist in meeting farmers’ aspirations for an improved quality of life. Notably, village secretaries with business experience significantly contributed to advancements in domestic waste and sewage treatment (WST) and sanitary toilet coverage (STC). The robustness of these conclusions is upheld after adjusting the regression model and reassessing the sample data. Furthermore, capable village cadres can conveniently access government project support and promote the development of rural collective economy, thereby improving the RLEI. Comprehensive measures and substantial guarantees should be implemented to incentivize individuals with both integrity and competence to assume roles as village cadres. The monitoring system should be modernized, paving the way for a new paradigm of “strong state and strong society” in RLEI.

Pathways for Strengthening Lived Experience Leadership for Transformative Systems Change: Reflections on Research and Collective Change Strategies.

The Activating Lived Experience Leadership (ALEL) project was a South Australian participatory action research project that aimed to improve the ways lived experience is recognised, valued and integrated across mental health and social sector systems. ALEL was completed during 2019-2021, where it engaged 182 participants in generating community action and research knowledge. Our paper discusses the project's processes of building a collective partnership among lived experience leaders and other leaders from within the sector, so that the actions and strategies identified through research could be implemented by systems-level impact. We describe the collaborative process and key learnings that resulted in eight key action areas for transformative systems change in South Australia. The project invited a diverse range of self-identified lived experience and other leaders to be involved in a PAR process featuring formal qualitative research (focus groups, surveys and interviews) as well as community development activities (leaders' summit meetings, consultations, training and community of practice meetings). These processes were used to help us describe the purpose, achievements and potential of lived experience leadership. Project priorities and systems-level analysis was also undertaken with lived experience sector leaders and project advisors across two leaders' summit meetings, integrating research outcomes with sector planning to define high-level actions and a vision for transformational change. Participatory action research as informed by systems change and collective impact strategies assisted the project to generate detailed findings about the experiences and complexities of lived experience leadership, and collective responses of how systems could better support, be accountable to and leverage lived experience perspectives, experience and peer-work approaches. Systems change to define, value and embed lived experience leadership benefits from collective efforts in both formal research and sector development activities. These can be used to generate foundational understandings and guidance for working together in genuine ways for transforming mental health and social sector systems, experience and outcomes. Members of lived experience communities codesigned the project, and contributed to project governance and the development of all findings and project reports.

R&D project subsidy V.S. government innovation reward: The effectiveness on corporate innovation

This paper compares the effectiveness of R&D project subsidies and government innovation rewards. Using a dataset of China's listed companies from 2008 to 2019, we investigate the associations of these two innovation grants with corporate innovation. The results indicate that both R&D project subsidy and government innovation reward can increase corporate innovation output. However, only government innovation reward can encourage private R&D investment. In addition, R&D project subsidy serves as an incentive role through the governance and financing mechanisms, whereas the government innovation reward has only a governance mechanism. Furthermore, the R&D project subsidy has a relatively poor impact on large firms and state-owned enterprises (SOEs), whereas the government innovation reward can still motivate their innovation. This study contributes to the expanding body of literature by providing diverse evidence of innovation grants from the perspective of the government subsidizing stage.

How Empowerment Congruence Impacts Performance in Cross-Functional Project Teams: A Polynomial Regression Analysis

This study deduces the empowerment alignment in project governance through examining the roles of (in)congruence between empowering leadership and psychological empowerment in informal leadership emergence, creativity, and performance outcomes. Using the data from 210 members from 69 cross-functional project teams, the results of polynomial regression and response surface analyses indicate that the high congruence between empowering leadership and perceived empowerment enhances informal leadership emergence, then promotes creativity to facilitate performance outcomes eventually. Informal leadership emerged under the insufficient empowerment condition with higher psychological empowerment rather than the excessive empowerment condition with higher empowering leadership. The study added to the project governance body of knowledge by confirming the promoting mechanism for project performance from the congruence perspective of leader-given and subordinate-perceived empowerment.

Project governance: the impact of environmental changes on governance adaptations in large-scale projects

PurposeThe performance of large-scale projects is often challenged due to major environmental changes that occur during their life. However, literature has paid little attention to the governance adaptations required to respond effectively to these changes. This paper aims to study changes in the project environment over time, the corresponding governance adaptations and their impact on project performance.Design/methodology/approachTo ensure triangulation between two sources of evidence, we used both primary and secondary data sources and examined 14 projects through 2 studies, the first focused on seven documented, illustrative case projects and the second on interviews with senior and project managers involved in seven additional projects.FindingsWe found the key environmental changes that should trigger appropriate governance adaptations to be market evolutions, technological advancements and sociopolitical events. However, we also found that these necessary governance adaptations are not commonly implemented timely, sufficiently or effectively.Originality/valueThe paper distills the dynamics of large-scale projects in achieving project effectiveness and raises theoretical propositions on the combination of environmental changes and deficient governance adaptations that, over time, turns efficient projects into ineffective projects and discusses implications for theory and practice.