Allocation Of Public Funds Research Articles

Limited acceptance of buprenorphine in recovery residences in South Florida: A secret shopper survey

BackgroundBuprenorphine is a first-line treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), essential for reducing opioid overdose mortality and improving treatment retention. Despite federal policies that mandate the acceptance of buprenorphine in recovery residences, individuals in South Florida taking this medication often face significant barriers to admission. This study uses a secret shopper survey to examine whether federal policies regarding prescribed buprenorphine use are being violated in South Florida recovery residences. MethodsWe selected recovery residences in South Florida due to the region's high opioid overdose death rate and its prominence as a recovery hub. From a list of 141 Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR)-certified residences in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade, we randomly surveyed 100 programs across all treatment levels (I-IV) using a standardized script. The primary outcome was whether residences accepted individuals taking buprenorphine, classified into three categories: (1) unconditional acceptance, where any person taking buprenorphine was accepted; (2) denial, where admission was refused for all individuals taking buprenorphine; and (3) conditional acceptance, where admission was granted under specific conditions. Secondary outcomes included requirements for conditional acceptance, such as dose limits or tapering policies. ResultsThe distribution of the 100 surveyed recovery residences was comparable to the 141 FARR-certified facilities: 67 % were in Palm Beach, 31 % in Broward, and 2 % in Miami-Dade. Most residences (55 %) were level II certified, followed by 26 % level IV, 14 % level I, and 5 % level III. Sixteen percent of residences permitted admission of individuals taking any buprenorphine dose, 31 % had conditional policies, and 53 % prohibited buprenorphine. The maximum acceptance across all counties and levels was 20 %. No significant differences were observed by county (p = 0.61) or facility level (p = 0.29). Of 31 residences with conditional policies, 25.8 % (n = 8) required a mandatory taper, 38.7 % (n = 12) allowed a maximum 8 mg daily dosage, 12.9 % (n = 4) had a maximum 12 mg daily dosage, 6.5 % (n = 2) had a maximum 16 mg daily dosage, 6.5 % (n = 2) required a provider letter, and 9.7 % (n = 3) did not provide further information. ConclusionsAccess to FARR-certified recovery residences is severely limited for individuals in South Florida taking buprenorphine. Urgent action is needed to improve access to evidence-based OUD treatments, address complexities influencing recovery residence policy and practice, and ensure appropriate allocation of public funds like State Opioid Response dollars.

The Impact of State Funding of Higher Education on Employment and Living Standards in Georgia

State financing of higher education is crucial for promoting innovation and competition, as well as guaranteeing equal opportunities and access to education. This financing facilitates the development of students' potential by providing them with the necessary skills and information to enhance graduation rates and social well-being. Scholarships and grants are implemented to improve student access to education by aligning the financial system with the demands of the job market and educational developments. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of financing higher education in Georgia on employment of graduates and well-being of the population. The results of the survey of entrants and students reveal that public awareness of state-funded higher education programs in Georgia is quite low (47.2%). A large part of the graduates (47,8%) provided with various types of state funding during their studies are not employed in their specialty. The impact of the increase in the expenditure on education on the increase in the income of the population is quite low (0.23%). The research concludes that the allocation of public funds for higher education in Georgia does not effectively match the capabilities of graduates with the demands of the labour market. The reason for the mentioned inconsistency is that the requirements of the labor market were not taken into account when determining the directions to be financed. In addition, it is important to note that the demands of the labor market change every year in accordance with the current challenges, therefore the employer also demands relevant skills immediately, which cannot be met by higher education institutions in a short period of time. Despite the above, the involvement of employers in the process of developing educational programs is low and it is mostly formal in nature. When determining the priority educational programs, there is no periodic revision of the directions so that it is adapted to the demands of the labor market. It is necessary to establish partnership relations between employers, higher educational institutions and the state in order to take into account the requirements of the labor market both in the development of educational programs and in the determination of priority educational directions. Enhancing transparency and emphasising practical training in key areas are essential for enhancing the program's efficacy and enhancing the career chances of graduates. These modifications will provide a more favourable return on investment for state education expenditure. Keywords: higher education, state financing, employment, living standards

The economic impact of dry port investment in Indonesia: A case study of Bangil, Pasuruan District, East Java Province

Acknowledging the pivotal role of ports and dry ports in shaping a nation’s economic landscape, this study explores the economic impact of port development in East Java, specifically Bangil Dry Port in Pasuruan over at least 30 years of business operational process. This study pioneers the quantification of gross value added, investment multiplier effect, tax contribution, and Creating Shared Value (CSV) resulting from dry port investment. The method used for calculating multiplier investment is Keynesian multiplier approach and for labor absorption is Incremental Labor Output Ratio (ILOR). Field surveys were conducted to determine the condition of Bangil, and secondary data on the growth of container flows at Port of Tanjung Perak was used as a reference for growth in Bangil. Overall, these results show that Bangil Dry Port investment will generates positive impact both for government and society in general, but also the economy of East Java and Pasuruan District in particular. These results offer practical guidance for decision-makers in optimizing public funds allocation, while also laying the groundwork for future scholars to conduct comprehensive societal-scale cost-benefit analyses of strategic port investments, contributing to a deeper understanding of the economic implications.

Բյուջետային ծախսերի կառուցվածքի ազդեցությունը տնտեսական աճի վրա (ՀՀ օրինակով) / The impact of the public expenditures structure on economic growth: Case of Armenia

The public budget is an important lever for the state regulation of the economy: it reflects the main directions and priorities of the state economic policy. In this context, there is a lot of discussion about the dynamics of the public expenditure multiplier, as well as the interaction between the structure of these expenditures and economic growth. The study of the dynamics of the multiplier of budgetary expenditures of Armenia over the last 15 years shows that it was higher than 1, making an average of 4.5 points. As a result of the research, we evaluated the impact of Armenia's budgetary expenditures on economic growth using an econometric model, based on quarterly data from 2008-2023. The results of the research show that the increase in the productive expenditures of the state budget in Armenia, such as those spent on education, healthcare and the national economy, contribute to the GDP growth rate, while the allocation of public funds to non-productive expenditures, such as defense and social sector expenditures, has a negative impact on the GDP growth rate.

Is participatory budgeting a driving force behind excessive social welfare spending?

ABSTRACT Participatory Budgeting (PB) allows citizens to directly influence public fund allocation, often enhancing poverty reduction and administrative efficiency. This study explores PB’s impact on social welfare spending in 214 Korean municipalities, identifying a significant increase in such expenditures post-PB adoption. The research highlights a potential overemphasis on social welfare spending due to PB, exceeding levels justified by socio-economic, political, and fiscal factors. It also shows that legislative checks, political pressures on mayors, and diverse political orientations can counterbalance the spending surge. The study cautions against a PB’s disproportionate focus on social welfare, which might neglect other government functions.

Data Envelopment Analysis-Based Approach to Improving of the Budget Allocation System for Decarbonization Targets

Energy innovation plays an important role in the transition to a zero-carbon economy. Governments in IEA member countries are investing in the R&D, demonstration, and deployment of new energy technologies as part of their energy and climate policies. However, government subsidies for energy innovation are not always efficient in achieving climate policy goals. This paper proposes a two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis model with shared inputs to determine the optimal allocation of public funds for the energy innovation process. The innovation process is divided into two stages: the R&D stage and the commercialization stage. The inputs to the model (budget expenditures for energy innovations) are distributed between the first and second stages. As intermediate products, we use the number of patents in clean energy and hydrocarbon energy. The outputs of the model are the changes in carbon intensity and energy efficiency. This model can be used to assess the effectiveness of government spending on energy innovation. The results show that some IEA member countries should allocate a large part of the fossil fuel technology budget (more than 70%) to the research and development phase. The proposed model can support decision making at the international level to increase the effectiveness of public policies in achieving decarbonization and energy efficiency goals.

УПРАВЛЕНИЕ ПРОЕКТАМИ УСТОЙЧИВОГО РАЗВИТИЯ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ С УЧЁТОМ РЕСУРСНОГО ПОТЕНЦИАЛА

This article discusses the features of project management for sustainable development of territories, taking into account the resource potential. The research topic is relevant because the resource potential of the Russian Federation ensures the strategic development and stability of the development of territories in the international arena. The purpose of the study is to study the functioning of project management for sustainable development of territories, taking into account the resource potential, namely, the construction of a socially adapted society with the allocation of public funds. Proactive budgeting as one of the types of financial institutions in the modern world is gaining relevance, as it allows the population to independently propose economically developed projects to improve people's livelihoods.

Fostering Equity: Bihar's Journey with Gender Budgeting

To bring Gender equity the Government of India is continuously developing many policies and programmes specifically focused on Women's empowerment. However, women in our country still face various types of differentiation in many areas like economic opportunities, political participation, health and medical facilities and education. For fostering equity, it is important that while distributing public funds the government should see what is the portion going for the well-being of the women. Here comes the main role of Gender Budgeting, which ensures fair allocation of public funds, keeping in mind women's well-being through focused interventions. Gender Budgeting was introduced in India in 2005. In the financial year 2008-09, Bihar became one of the earliest states in the country to implement gender budgeting practices. From 2008-09 to 2023-24, Bihar has seen 8 Gender budgets and implemented many policies to reduce the gender gap. The main objective of this paper is to analyse the journey of Gender Budgeting in the state of Bihar and to see its impact on Women's empowerment. By analysing the secondary data taken mainly from the Economic Survey of Bihar, different gender budget statements and reports this paper examines Gender Budget allocations in Bihar over time and tries to suggest ways to utilise the allocated funds properly to foster gender equity.

Public Education Investment, Economic Growth and Welfare: A Political Economy Analysis with Preference Heterogeneity

This study examines the politics of public education policy and its impact on economic growth and welfare under intergenerational altruism. The study considers an endogenous growth model with altruistic overlapping generations. Due to its significant role in promoting long-term economic expansion, we consider investment in public education to be an effective tool of productive government intervention. Nonetheless, public educational investment has been the subject of political disputes owing to its inherent intergenerational redistributive implications. Backed by the tendency of democratically elected governments to maintain their political power, the preferences of some particular individuals or group of individuals become more dominant in the political process of determining the level of public investment in education. In particular, governments are more concerned with the preferences of the median voter, or the current generation at large, because they, as electors, have the ability to determine the next government. This reality leads governments to exhibit a bias toward the desires of these people. As a result, such political considerations divert the economy from its optimal path of economic growth and reduce the welfare of future generations. This effect becomes more pronounced when individuals with lower levels of altruism toward their offspring assume a more influential position in the political decision-making process over the allocation of public funds for education. Our theoretical analyses demonstrate the implications for economic growth and welfare resulting from policy decisions made by democratically elected governments with inherent biases, as opposed to decisions made by an unbiased social planner.

Navigating Grant Program Representative Bias: Insights from Paycheck Protection Program for Hospitality SMEs and Entrepreneurs

Allocation of public funding, such as those of government grants, can be influenced by subjective factors, similar to biases that research has found in commercial business lending based on organizational and ownership factors. However, there is limited research that has investigated biases in grant programs. Using data from the Paycheck Protection Program in the United States this study examined whether biases existed in grant programs for hospitality businesses. Results of regression analyses indicate that hospitality businesses received greater total loan amounts and smaller loan amounts per employee than businesses in other industries. Additionally, male business owners, White business owners, and corporations received greater loan amounts compared to other demographic groups. This study contributes to extending the current literature on commercial lending by enhancing our understanding of representative biases in government-directed lending programs for businesses.

Regional endogenous development in Chile: a simulation analysis of two models of allocation of public funds

Regional endogenous development in Chile: a simulation analysis of two models of allocation of public funds

Modeling Residents’ Mega Sport Event Social Value: Integrating Social and Economic Mechanisms

Social value is the difference between monetized social impacts and related economic investments. Stimulating positive social value is a leading concern and focus for sport event stakeholders. However, insights on this socioeconomic phenomenon have concentrated on social or economic mechanisms, not both, and are siloed to host city residents, largely overlooking nonhost city residents central to events. Thus, we integrated social and economic mechanisms to examine host city and nonhost city residents’ mega sport event social value. Data from 1,880 Canadians revealed varying social values (Vancouver and Provincial = negative; Venue-City = neutral; National = positive). Applying a reverse contingent valuation method, findings confirmed the need to integrate (monetized) social and economic mechanisms to calculate social value. Testing an augmented social exchange theory model, findings highlight residents’ perceptual ambivalence to social impacts and the importance of income to estimate social value. Stakeholders should effectively leverage events for social impacts and reconsider event public funding allocation policies.

The Evaluation of Sustainable Development Projects in Marginal Areas: An A’WOT Approach

The increasing urbanization trend, projected to reach 70% of the global population residing in cities by 2050, underscores the pivotal role of cities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN, 2015) and combating climate change. Nonetheless, the 2023 report by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) reveals an alarming gap in achieving SDG 11 “Sustainable cities and communities” by 2030. This gap highlights the urgent need for transformative shifts in urban policies and investments to prevent cities from becoming centers of global disparities, including socio-economic inequalities, digital divide, and spatial fragmentation, particularly in marginal areas. Marginal areas suffer indeed from conditions of sub-optimality in planning capacity, valuable decision-making, and project implementation. The inadequate planning, management, and governance of marginal areas, coupled with suboptimal investments, can severely compromise their socioeconomic condition. Planning efforts frequently fall short in achieving long-term sustainability goals due to localized and short-sighted decision-making processes, particularly evident in marginal areas. It is crucial, though, to support their public administrations in the achievement of the SDG 11 targets and in their responsive participation in the calls for the allocation of public funding. In this paper, we provide a theoretical and methodological approach to evaluate urban regeneration projects in marginal areas. In detail, we develop an A’WOT approach, which combines a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), to rank alternative urban development projects.

Determinants of electromobility development from the perspective of a zero emission, innovative and resilient economy

The aim of this article is to identify the critical factors and assess the specific actions conditioning the development of electromobility from the perspective of a zero-carbon, innovative and resilient economy. These issues have a particular dimension in relation to individual mobility. The study used a combination of primary and secondary data, using various research methods and techniques, such as descriptive analysis, desk research, diagnostic survey, cause-and-effect analysis and statistical analysis. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with experts in managerial positions. The literature review and the results of our own research confirmed the importance of the identified factors in the uptake of electric cars. At the same time, the study highlighted the high complexity of problems regarding investment decisions determining the development of electromobility. Taking active steps to increase the level of sustainability and resilience of the electromobility system should first focus on further development of charging infrastructure, uptake of electric vehicles, development of renewable energy sources and creation of an electric vehicle battery value chain. The main expectations for the development of electromobility are to reduce CO2 emissions, reduce dependence on fossil fuel supplies, increase the competitiveness and innovation of the economy and reduce external costs generated by transport. Attempts were made to achieve the originality of the research carried out through its measurable nature. The proposed electromobility development model may contribute to the improvement of decision-making tools regarding the allocation of public funds and other sources for investments so that they contribute to the sustainable development of mobility systems.

School Participatory Budgeting: An Emerging Governance Tool and Its Managerial Considerations

Participatory budgeting (PB) fosters community engagement in the allocation of public funds. Although its popularity has diminished in general-purpose governments, it is gaining traction in school districts. Yet research on PB’s managerial implications remains scarce. This study analyzes a PB process in a New York school district, examining key stages, participants, and engagement dynamics using quantitative and qualitative data. Our findings underscore important implementation challenges that necessitate careful consideration before advocating the widespread adoption of school PB.

The Effectiveness of the Procurement at the Construction Services Selection Implementation Center

The construction industry still faces various challenges in some developing countries, and one of the problems is the procurement of goods and services. The allocation of public procurement funds is significant to the national GDP. It is essential to conduct comprehensive research on government procurement in the construction industry in Indonesia due to the rapid growth of the construction industry in the last decade. This research focuses on the procurement of construction goods and services in the Ministry of Public Works and Housing by looking at the perception of the government as the project owner. This research aims to identify a model of critical success factors to improve public procurement performance in the construction industry from the government's perspective. The research method includes two stages, namely, the development of critical success, which consists of crucial factors and indicators that affect the performance of public procurement in the construction industry. It is a literature study of relevant previous research results from various countries that affect these critical success factors. Then, the second stage is a survey of experts' perceptions through questionnaires. The questionnaire data analysis used SEM-PLS software to quantify the relationship model of critical success factors to improve the performance of government procurement of goods and services in the construction industry. Data processing results include: business process factors affect 97.1%, regulatory factors affect 90.1%, information system factors affect 63.1%, human resource factors affect 56.1%, organizational factors affect 46.1%, and monitoring and evaluation factors affect 38%. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-03-013 Full Text: PDF

Comparative Analysis of Private and Public Mutual Funds: A Performance Evaluation

Abstract: The mutual fund industry is a popular investment avenue that offers investors the opportunity to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities. The industry has witnessed significant growth in recent years, with investors seeking to maximize their returns and reduce risk. This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of private and public mutual funds in terms of their performance. The study aims to evaluate the risk-adjusted returns, expense ratios, fund size, asset allocation, and other relevant factors of both private and public mutual funds to determine which type of fund offers better performance. To conduct the analysis, a sample of four private and four public mutual funds was randomly selected, and their performance was evaluated using various performance metrics such as Sharpe ratio, Treynor ratio, and Jensen's alpha. The data was analyzed using statistical tools such as U test, t-test, and regression analysis. The study found that private sector mutual funds performed comparatively better than public sector mutual funds in terms of risk-adjusted returns, expense ratios, and asset allocation. Private sector mutual funds had higher Sharpe ratios and Treynor ratios compared to public sector mutual funds, indicating that they generated higher returns per unit of risk taken. Private sector mutual funds also had lower expense ratios, indicating that they charged lower fees to investors. In terms of asset allocation, private sector mutual funds had a higher allocation towards equity securities compared to public sector mutual funds, which had a higher allocation towards debt securities. The study also identified significant differences in the investment strategies, portfolio management, and investor base of private and public mutual funds. Private sector mutual funds had a more aggressive investment strategy, with a higher allocation towards equity securities, whereas public sector mutual funds had a more conservative investment strategy, with a higher allocation towards debt securities. Private sector mutual funds were also found to be more actively managed compared to public sector mutual funds. Private sector mutual funds had a higher percentage of assets under management from retail investors, while public sector mutual funds had a higher percentage of assets under management from institutional investors. The study provides valuable insights to investors, fund managers, and policymakers regarding the performance of private and public mutual funds. The findings suggest that investors may benefit from investing in private sector mutual funds due to their higher risk-adjusted returns, lower expense ratios, and higher allocation towards equity securities. Fund managers may also benefit from the study by gaining insights into the investment strategies and portfolio management practices of private and public mutual funds. Policymakers may use the study to design policies that promote the growth and development of the mutual fund industry. Overall, this study contributes to the existing literature on mutual funds by providing a comprehensive comparative analysis of private and public mutual funds in terms of their performance. The study adds to our understanding of the factors that affect the performance of mutual funds and provides insights into the investment strategies and portfolio management practices of private and public mutual funds.

Financing and Pricing of Outpatient and Polyclinic Medical Care in Armenia

One crucial element within the healthcare system is healthcare financing, which should be coupled with a consistent increase in the allocation of public funds towards healthcare. This should involve a diverse range of funding sources, fair pricing for medical services, enhancements in payment mechanisms, and various other measures. Healthcare must take precedence in public spending, always prepared to address not only immediate challenges but also global ones.

Does Public Financial Management Save Life? Evidence from a Quantitative Review of PFM and Health Outcomes in Sub-Saharan African Countries

ABSTRACT Public financial management (PFM) theory suggests that improvements in the allocation, execution, and monitoring of public funds can result in improved sectoral outcomes, including in health. However, the existing literature on the relationship between PFM quality and health outcomes provides limited empirical documentation and insufficient explanation of the mechanics of that relationship. This paper contributes to the literature by estimating the correlation between PFM quality and health outcomes from a sample of sub-Saharan African countries over the period 2005–2018, using a pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) estimator. The analysis uses Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) scores as proxies for PFM quality. The findings indicate that countries with high-quality PFM tended to have the lowest maternal, under-five and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) mortality. Among the standard PFM dimensions, the one associated with the higher correlation with maternal and under-five mortality was “predictability and control in budget execution.” Better PFM quality was significantly associated with a drop in maternal and under-five mortality in countries which allocated a higher proportion of their budget to the health sector. In countries allocating a lower proportion of their budget to health, the correlations between PFM quality and the three mortality indicators were not significant. The negative correlations between PFM quality and maternal and under-five mortality were significant only in countries with more effective governance. These findings support an emphasis on strengthening PFM as a means of improving health service provision and health outcomes.

Modeling post-disaster recovery: Accounting for rental and multi-family housing

Post-disaster housing recovery models increase our understanding of recovery dynamics, vulnerable populations, and how people are affected by the direct losses that disasters create. Past recovery models have focused on single-family owner-occupied housing, while empirical evidence shows that rental units and multi-family housing are disadvantaged in post-disaster recovery. To fill this gap, this article presents an agent-based housing recovery model that includes the four common type–tenure combinations of single- and multi-family owner- and renter-occupied housing. The proposed model accounts for the different recovery processes, emphasizing funding sources available to each type–tenure. The outputs of our model include the timing of financing and recovery at building resolution across a community. We demonstrate the model with a case study of Alameda, California, recovering from a simulated M7.0 earthquake on the Hayward fault. The processes in the model replicate higher non-recovery of multi-family housing than single-family housing, as observed in past disasters, and a heavy reliance of single-family renter-occupied units on Small Business Administration funding, which is expected due to low earthquake insurance penetration. The simulation results indicate that multi-family housing would have the highest portion of unmet need remaining; however, some buildings with unmet needs are anticipated to be able to obtain a large portion of their funding. The remaining portion may be filled using personal financing or may be overcome with downsizing or downgrades. Multi-family housing would also benefit the most from Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). This benefit is a result of modeling the financing sources, that CDBG-DR is available, and that many multi-family buildings do not qualify for other sources. Communities’ allocation of public funding is important for housing recovery. Our model can help inform and compare potential financing policies to allocate public funds.