Public Institutions Research Articles

The Role Foreign Direct Invesment, Financial Development and Institutions Quality of Economic Growth Empirical Evidence From WANA Countries

Research Aims: The study investigates the impact of foreign direct investment, financial development, and institution quality on economic growth in nations located in western Asia and North Africa Methodology: This study methodology employs a panel data regression model using a fixed effect model (FEM) strategy. The study data is collected using the information that was available between the years 2000 and 2022. The WANA nations include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. Research Findings: The findings indicated that foreign direct investment (FDI), financial development (FD), and intellectual quotient (IQ) had an impact on economic growth. Specifically, foreign direct investment (FDI) has a beneficial and statistically substantial impact on economic development, but the quality of institutions has an adverse and statistically substantial impact on economic growth. However, financial development does not affect economic growth. Originality: The grand theory used in this research Economic Growth, Foreign Direct Investment, Institutions Quality, Financial Development, and Export and population growth variables are controlled. variables in this study by testing three variables consisting of independent variables, dependent variables and control variables. Research limitation and implication: The findings in this study suggest that policies implemented by governments, public institutions and academics aimed at increasing FDI, FD, and institutional quality can help improve economic growth in WANA countries.

Impact of Human Capital and Structural Capital on Competitive Advantage: Evidence from Indonesian Provincial Government Institutions

Purpose: This study investigates the influence of human capital, structural capital, and knowledge management on competitive advantage within the North Sulawesi Provincial Government, Indonesia. It aims to understand whether knowledge management mediates the relationship between human capital, structural capital, and competitive advantage in the context of public sector organizations. Theoretical Reference: The research is grounded in the Knowledge-Based View (KBV) theory, which postulates that knowledge is a critical resource for competitive advantage. It also explores the role of intellectual capital (human and structural capital) as sources of knowledge and their interplay with knowledge management. Method: A quantitative approach was utilized, involving 147 public officers from seven departments under the North Sulawesi Provincial Government. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS 3.0 software. Results and Conclusion: The findings indicate that: Human capital positively impacts competitive advantage. Structural capital does not directly influence competitive advantage but has a significant effect through the mediation of knowledge management. Knowledge management positively affects competitive advantage and mediates the relationship between structural capital and competitive advantage. However, it does not mediate the relationship between human capital and competitive advantage.These results highlight the critical role of knowledge management in leveraging structural capital for competitive advantage in public sector organizations. Implications of Research: Theoretical Implications: The study contributes to the literature on intellectual capital and competitive advantage in public sector contexts, providing novel insights into the mediating role of knowledge management. Practical Implications: Policymakers should focus on enhancing human capital, improving structural capital, and fostering effective knowledge management processes to boost the competitive advantage of public sector organizations. Originality/Value: This research addresses a gap in understanding competitive advantage within Indonesian public institutions by examining intangible resources and knowledge management. It provides a unique perspective on public sector competitiveness, particularly in the context of regional government institutions in North Sulawesi.

Centralization and Long-Term System Performance: Evidence From State Takeovers of School Districts

Does centralization affect the performance of public institutions in the long run? Can states more successfully improve struggling bureaucracies than local governments? This paper explores these questions in the context of educational governance with a focus on state takeovers of school districts in the U.S.—a shift away from the traditional school board governance arrangement toward more centralized decision-making at the state level. In recent decades, takeovers have become a more common policy response to perceived low performance of public school systems. This paper extends an earlier study on the topic to examine the longer-run effects of this form of political centralization on system performance. Using a nationwide sample and up-to-date event study methods, the paper finds no evidence that takeovers of districts between 2010 and 2018 generated improvements in student reading and math performance, up to nearly a decade after takeover occurred. Takeovers lasting a greater number of years are not associated with differential impacts. Findings are not driven by compositional changes in student populations or bias due to variation in treatment timing. This form of political centralization from local to state levels therefore does not appear to be a consistent tool for improving the performance of public institutions.

Assessing the forms of integration of the higher education system in Mozambique

The forms of integration and articulation at tertiary education are debated around the world including studies those discuss expansion, differentiation, diversity, and fragmentation of higher education. The forms of integration are evaluated here by reviewing selected Mozambican higher education literature and database from 1962 to 2021. The higher education (HE) background research in Mozambique helped assessing trends and expansion, fragmentation, differentiation, and diversity processes. These processes were described using data assessed from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Mozambique in 53 public and private universities. Statistical analyses by Excel Sheets were based on the integrated data of enrolments, new admissions, and graduations to infer the performance of isomorphism through the process of differentiation, diversity, and fragmentation. The expansion and fragmentation of HE in Mozambique is well reflected on total students enrolled in public and private systems. Results indicated slight difference of new admissions between public and private system. While we registered more graduations in public system than in private. Comparison assessed demonstrated the absence of significant differences, at 5% of confidence level, between new-admissions and graduated students, reflecting the intensification of fragmentation of the mother institutions. Additionally, evidence supporting the differentiation and diversity practices in public and private institutions was not found. Moreover, the expansion and fragmentation processes detected suggest the need of decentralization to offset the heavy concentration of resources and higher activities outside Maputo. While differentiation and diversity processes were absent in higher education system in Mozambique, nevertheless, may ensure educational quality and produce high quality graduate outputs, research, and community outreach activities.

Evaluating the forms of integration of the tertiary education in Mozambique

The forms of integration and pedagogical articulation at tertiary education are debated around the world including studies those discuss expansion, differentiation, diversity, and fragmentation of higher education. The forms of integration are evaluated here by reviewing selected higher education literature and database from 1962 to 2021. The higher education (HE) background research in Mozambique helped assessing trends and expansion, fragmentation, differentiation, and diversity processes. These processes were described using data assessed from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Mozambique in 53 public and private universities. Statistical analyses by Excel Sheets were based on the integrated data of enrolments, new admissions, and graduations to infer the performance of isomorphism through the process of differentiation, diversity, and fragmentation. The expansion and fragmentation of HE in Mozambique is well reflected on total students enrolled in public and private systems. Results indicated slight difference of around 700 students of new admissions between public and private system. While we registered more graduations in public system than in private. Comparison assessed demonstrated the absence of significant differences, at 5% of confidence level, between new-admissions and graduated students, reflecting the intensification of fragmentation of the mother institutions. Additionally, evidence supporting the differentiation and diversity practices in public and private institutions was not found. Moreover, the expansion and fragmentation processes detected suggest the need of decentralization to offset the heavy concentration of resources and higher activities outside Maputo. While differentiation and diversity processes were absent in higher education system in Mozambique, nevertheless, may ensure educational quality and produce high quality graduate outputs, research, and community outreach activities.

HRM Practices in Nepalese Public Financial Institutions

The aim was to assess the role of HRM practices in Nepalese public financial institutions. The research design was descriptive. The mean was used to describe the position of HRM practices. The result was that performance-related reward, performance appraisal, training and development, empowerment, selection, and communication were properly practiced in Nepalese public financial institutions; HRM practices were properly used in Nepalese public financial institutions. Selection, communication, training and development, performance appraisal, performance-related reward, and empowerment have been adequately used in Nepalese public financial institutions. HRM practices have been satisfactorily used in Nepalese public financial institutions.

Understanding the Realities of Financial Crime in Public Institutions: Female Public Servants' Insights

This study assessed public female employees’ perceptions of financial crimes in Somali public sector, using a descriptive research. Research on financial crimes, corruption and fraud ware male dominated, so, female offenders, as well as female participation in research, have received less attention. However, recent studies have focused on the intersection of gender and financial crimes. Researchers collected primary data from 64 female employees working in various public organizations and analyzed it using SPSS. Studies based on perception play a key role in connecting actual circumstances with individual experiences. The results indicate that public female employees perceive financial crimes as widespread and complex issues, but also believe that they are both preventable and detectable. The findings of this study align with those of previous research, identifying the elements of the fraud triangle (Pressure, Rationalization, Opportunity) and fraud diamond (Capability) as the key contributors to financial crimes within the Somali public sector. The survey highlights the significant economic and social impacts of financial crimes, including increased government expenditures, budget deficits, impeded socio-economic development, and resource misallocation, as well as the detrimental effects on the private sector and public institutions. The paper suggests several measures to improve financial crime prevention. It recommends strengthening governance, accountability and transparency systems, establishing effective independent oversight bodies, increasing public access to financial information, promoting ethical culture and enforcing ethical codes for public servants, investing in law enforcement capacity, and educing socio-economic disparities to create a more equitable society. This study is the first attempt to assess public female employees’ perception of financial crimes in Somalia. It offers new perspectives on the root causes, and consequences of these bad practices, and sheds light on how these crimes can be prevented, and detected by offering key actionable insights to policymakers.

Organizational Design and Public Outcomes Among New Universities in Developing Countries

ABSTRACT Many public higher education systems in countries in Asia and Africa have sought a new approach in response to their modern environments. Built in the 1950s following decolonization, they seek to overcome colonial regulations, norms, and practices to produce new public outcomes focused on communities and market forces. Drawing from in-depth case studies of seven new universities in India, we assess the role of organizational design and public value institutions in producing contemporary public outcomes. We conclude that organizational design factors—integrative leadership, disciplinary identity, regional embedded, entrepreneurial orientation, and development stage—offer opportunities to work with public value institutions and produce public outcomes in a developing country context.

Impact of Inclusive Leadership on Innovative Work Behavior with Mediating Role of Work Engagement and Moderating Role of Perceived Job Autonomy

This study aims to investigate the effect of inclusive leadership on innovative work behavior in the field of education. It was hypothesized that inclusive leadership will positively affect innovative work behavior, which will be mediated by work engagement and moderated by perceived job autonomy. A sample of workers is drawn from public educational institutions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A total of 300 samples participated in a questionnaire survey, the results of which were utilized to analyze the final data. Online surveys were used to get information from public sector workers. In this research, a non-probability sampling method is used. The imbalance between productivity, learning rate, quality, and performance is Pakistan's biggest problem. Our education system should support inclusive leadership. Because of authoritarian leadership, employees face numerous challenges and problems, and their creativity is harmed in this way, so in the context of Pakistan, this study has a significant impact. So, in employees' creativity, leadership plays a vital role, specifically inclusive leadership, and this research helps to understand this relationship. The idea of this research is unique: to understand the relationship between inclusive leadership and creativity so that organizations would be able to survive in a more complex environment. This research has a few limitations as well. The first limitation is that not all of them should have been included in this research. Small sample size is the second limitation, as data is collected only from one source. Cross-sectional data was the third limitation. The fourth limitation is that not all aspects of perceived job autonomy were used. Strategies that not only promote and elevate employee engagement but also make it a regular part of work should be put into place by organizations. Executives ought to recognize each worker's capacity for creativity.

Enhancing E-learning satisfaction in digital education: a comprehensive analysis of influential factors in Punjab’s E-learning institutes

ABSTRACT This study explores the critical factors influencing E-learning satisfaction in digital education environments in Punjab, Pakistan, a region marked by significant disparities in educational accessibility. E-learning has emerged as a crucial tool for addressing educational gaps, particularly in areas with limited traditional infrastructure. A survey of 250 students across primary, secondary, and tertiary education levels from urban and rural areas, both public and private institutions, this research provides a comprehensive analysis of diverse E-learning experiences. The study employs a conceptual framework encompassing six dimensions: student characteristics, instructor behaviors, course content, technology use, design quality, and environmental influences. Using detailed statistical analysis through SPSS, key determinants of E-learning satisfaction were identified, with instructor responsiveness, course flexibility, and technological usability emerging as the most significant factors. Interestingly, student computer anxiety was found not to significantly affect satisfaction, indicating growing digital literacy among learners. The study also highlights disparities in technology integration based on gender, geographical location, and type of institution, emphasizing the need for tailored educational strategies. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers and educational institutions to enhance E-learning systems, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of students and contribute to reducing the digital divide in Punjab.

O fenômeno do digital, o poder das gigantes da tecnologia e os desafios regulatórios no Brasil

This article aims to critically reflect on the digital phenomenon as a manifestation of the formation of a new global and informational capitalist system, centered on the information paradigm. In this context, the presence of private actors stands out, mainly from the sector of large technology companies (big techs), who compete for spaces of power with public institutions traditionally conceived as sovereign political arms of the nation state. The general objective aims to demonstrate the power of new international actors and the harmful effects that the lack of regulation of their activities brings to society as a whole and democracy. To this end, the work is developed in two moments, the first referring to the emergence of the new informational capitalism, a fact that enables an exercise of power that is sometimes refractory and undemocratic with an ethical and moral foundation in affirmative philosophy, a circumstance that triggers strong power disputes, as well as new regulations in Brazil, a topic covered in a second moment. At the end, a conclusion will be made, where regulatory proposals will be presented as a matter of public policies specific to governments with democratic institutions. The qualitative nature of the study allows the use of a hypothetical deductive approach using a monographic procedural method, and a bibliographic and documentary research technique. The academic and social importance of research is highlighted in addressing a subject very dear to the principles of sovereign autonomy of people, especially when taking into account that such research is carried out to think about public policy strategies that allow guaranteeing the effectiveness of fundamental rights of citizens.

Research on the challenges and coping strategies of the ideological and political education of young workers in public institutions

With the rapid development of the times and the continuous progress of the society, the young workers, as the new blood of the public institutions, the cultivation of their ideological and political quality is particularly important. Based on the actual situation of public institutions, this paper systematically analyzes the challenges faced by the ideological and political education of young workers in public institutions, and discusses their coping strategies one by one. This paper systematically sorts out the current situation of ideological and political education for young workers, and analyzes their importance in improving the level of political identity, professional ethics and promoting their overall personal development. At the same time, this paper points out many problems and challenges in the implementation process, including the simplification of educational content and form, the lack of participation of young workers, the uneven distribution of educational resources and the influence of external environment. Based on these findings, this paper puts forward the corresponding countermeasures and suggestions, optimize the content and methods of ideological and political education, improve the effectiveness of education, and provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the healthy development of public institutions.

Female Agency in the British Ministry of Education: Mary Medd's Contribution to School Design (1949-1972)

This paper describes and discusses architect Mary Medd’s input into school development within the Ministry of Education, responsible for England and Wales, during the post-war era, highlighting her agency and capacity to provide significant change in the discipline of architecture. Mary Medd’s contributions were outcast on two fronts: first, by an institutional framework that prioritised anonymous civil service expertise, thereby suppressing individual attribution, and second, as one half of a prosperous partnership, both professional and personal, with David Medd. Although the collective processes that inexorably characterise the work dynamics within public institutions normally imply that any attribution to a single person is ambiguous, this paper suggests that the institutional framework should not be interpreted as a hindrance to the recognition of Mary Medd’s authorship. Through archival work, and focusing on her design proposals, the Ministry of Education is interpreted as the very place where she decided to develop her agency as a woman, deeply engaged in education and architecture, to pursue the complete reconfiguration of school design in a national level. The ministry offered a place for the development of a different kind of architectural practice where her individual agency could be exercised both as a designer of spatial layouts and as the main catalyst of a holistic interdisciplinary collaboration. The paper embarks on a mission to reevaluate and celebrate Mary Medd’s crucial role in the evolution of education architecture through an analysis of her diaries, notebooks, and drawings. In addition to repositioning Mary Medd within the annals of architectural history, this research aims to contribute to the ongoing historiography of feminist research methods and ideologies within the field. By shedding light on the gendered disparities in architectural history and emphasising the importance of acknowledging women’s contributions, this study adds to the broader conversation on gender equity in design and education, ultimately enriching our understanding of the multifaceted history of architectural practice.

Survey of Latin American ketogenic diet centers: Challenges and success for "La Terapia Cetogénica".

Despite growing recognition of the efficacy of ketogenic diet therapies (KDT) in reducing seizure frequency and improving the quality of life for individuals with epilepsy, several factors hinder their widespread adoption across Latin America. Specific challenges in the region have been discussed but not formally studied. Currently, no data exist on the availability and operation of KDT teams in the region. To address this gap, we conducted a survey of KDT centers across Latin American countries in the framework of the biannual International Ketogenic Diet Conference in September 2023. A seven-question survey was distributed via email to neurologists, dietitians, or through indexed publications. Of the 16 centers approached, 14 (87.5%) responded, identifying 98 KDT centers. Nearly half (49%) are public institutions, primarily in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico; 44 are private; and 5 are mixed. Core teams in all centers included a neurologist and dietitian, with some teams in Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay also involving a medical nutritionist. None of the centers reported a protocol for transitioning to adult care, and consistent data on Glut1 patients and protocols were lacking. Over the past two decades, the KDT landscape in Latin America has improved, with established centers expanding and new ones emerging. However, continued efforts are needed to promote KDT adoption in countries where it is not yet practiced and in regions with limited resources and expertise.

Information access and COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among foreign-born persons in Sweden – a focus group interview-study

BackgroundIn most countries, lower rates of COVID-19 vaccination have been observed in foreign-born individuals, yet little is known about the underlying reasons, especially as reported by these individuals themselves. This exploratory interview study investigated lack of information access and hesitancy towards taking the COVID-19 vaccine among foreign-born individuals in Sweden.MethodsWe used purposive sampling to recruit foreign-born adults who expressed being hesitant towards getting vaccinated, as well as health guides and doulas who were assigned to spread COVID-19 related information in immigrant-dense urban areas. Data were collected using semi-structured focus group interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analysed according to systematic text condensation.ResultsThree focus group interviews were conducted with altogether eleven participants. One group consisted of health guides/doulas, while the participants in the other groups were gainfully employed in other jobs, or full-time students, or housewives. Four main themes emerged: (1) Language barriers and sociocultural differences, (2) Consequences of not using official Swedish information, (3) Decision-making on COVID-19 vaccination, and (4) Suggestions to improve information dissemination. The lack of information in other languages than Swedish and lack of effective information channels resulted in that most participants barely used information from official Swedish health care and public health institutions. Instead, they relied on social media, social contacts and international media, through which contradictive and negative information about the vaccine was spread. The decision to get vaccinated or not became a process fraught with insecurities about the effectiveness and side effects of the vaccine, which was balanced against wishing to be protected and to contribute to the battle against COVID-19. The participants suggested that information dissemination could be improved by producing a multilingual information outreach and to increase the use of transmission through social interaction with trusted persons and platforms.ConclusionsAn inadequately adapted information strategy prevented some members of the society from making fact-based decisions about getting vaccinated. Several suggestions for improving dissemination were brought forth that can be tested in future communication strategies.

The complexity of addressing equity in COVID-19-related global health governance and population health research priorities in Canada: a multilevel qualitative study

BackgroundSince COVID-19 emerged in 2020, the promotion of health equity, including in research, has further been challenged worldwide by both global health governance (GHG) processes and decisions, and national public health control measures. These global and national decisions have also led to the ‘covidization’ of health research agendas where resources have been massively channelled to address COVID-19, especially during the first years of the pandemic. This situation could potentially result in current and future population health research priorities not explicitly tackling equity as a central tenet. The study objective examined how and to what extent the COVID-19-related GHG architecture is affecting population health research priorities in Canada.MethodsWe conducted a multilevel qualitative study informed by the intersectionality-based policy analysis and multiple streams frameworks. We collected and thematically analysed data from four groups of respondents (n = 35: researchers, research funders and global and public health research institutes in Canada, and WHO/international actors) and an interactive feedback workshop (n = 40 participants).ResultsStudy findings generated four main themes. First, both global and national COVID-19 responses failed to address equity considerations, especially among populations in situations of vulnerability and marginalisation. Second, the integrated examination of funding, equity, and accountability was judged as necessary determinants of GHG and population health research priorities in Canada. Third, contrary to common beliefs about COVID-19, the consequences were not all negative, but they were also positive and unintended, and lessons can be learned. Fourth, study respondents proposed multiple recommendations to address inequities in the complex intersection between COVID-19-related GHG and population health research in Canada.ConclusionThis study provides substantial evidence of the multilayered and complex intersection between COVID-19-related GHG and population health research priorities in Canada. Although the window of opportunity was slim according to study respondents, there was still a unique collective effort to address COVID-19-related socioeconomic and health inequities by considering the numerous recommendations proposed by the four groups of study respondents. These recommendations can directly contribute to improving knowledge of global and national population health and equity research strategies in the context of an evolving pandemic and for policy- and decision-makers to adjust and rectify the course of global and public health governance.

Effect of AI literacy on online information search competencies among medical students in Pakistan

In today's technology-driven healthcare landscape, AI competencies are essential for medical students. This study assessed AI literacy and online information search (OIS) skills among 336 students from 12 public medical institutions in Sindh, Pakistan. The survey revealed strong AI literacy in areas such as hardware, software, data literacy, content creation, safety, and problem-solving, but students struggled with understanding AI errors. They also demonstrated sufficient behavioral, procedural, and meta-cognitive competencies in online information searching. A significant positive correlation between AI literacy and OIS skills was found, indicating that higher AI literacy improves students’ search abilities. These findings underscore the need to integrate AI-related skills into medical education to better prepare students for the evolving healthcare environment. The study offers insights for AI developers, AI vendors, medical educators, librarians, medical institution administrators, and policymakers on how they can play a significant role in enhancing AI literacy and search competencies in medical education.

Bridging Global Mandates and Local Realities: Intermediary clusters and interorganizational collaboration for international development

Addressing international sustainable development is an urgent and critical challenge. Existing research has focused on the role of individual intermediary organizations in supporting and shaping inclusive local markets to enhance development. However, it has overlooked how clusters of organizations act as intermediaries to build development capacity, and how they do so through local public institutions. This study focuses on the United Nations (UN) system and examines a specific transnational governance arrangement (Delivering as One) that envisioned the creation of local clusters of UN organizations to facilitate institutional capacity-building in developing countries. By comparing the evolution of the eight pilot UN arrangements, we distil a model of how intermediary clusters facilitate local capacity-building through a process of contextual bridging driven by interorganizational collaboration within the cluster. Our findings identify four mechanisms of contextual bridging. The first two – functional amalgamation of operations and development of a cohesive collective voice – strengthened internal collaboration among cluster members; subsequently, sharing authority with local stakeholders and the local calibration of interorganizational collaboration (IOC) allowed the entrenchment of IOC into the local context. Our work contributes to the literature on interorganizational collaboration and transnational governance in the face of global challenges.

There and back again: local institutions, an Uruk expansion and the rejection of centralisation in the Sirwan/Upper Diyala region

During the fourth millennium BC, public institutions developed at several large settlements across greater Mesopotamia. These are widely acknowledged as the first cities and states, yet surprisingly little is known about their emergence, functioning and demise. Here, the authors present new evidence of public institutions at the site of Shakhi Kora in the lower Sirwan/upper Diyala river valley of north-east Iraq. A sequence of four Late Chalcolithic institutional households precedes population dispersal and the apparent regional rejection of centralised social forms of organisation that were not then revisited for almost 1500 years.

School Start Times for Solar Alignment: Evaluating the Benefits of Schedule Optimisation for Peak and Cost Reduction

The global push towards sustainable energy usage and the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar power, requires innovative approaches to energy management, particularly in energy-intensive sectors such as education. This study proposes a change in school start time from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. to align operational hours with periods of off-peak electricity demand and maximum solar availability. Four scenarios are compared: baseline (current schedule without solar), shifted schedule without solar, baseline with solar, and shifted schedule with solar integration. The analysis reveals that shifting the school’s operational hours alone leads to a peak demand reduction of 40%, mitigating strain on the grid during high-demand periods. Solar integration without schedule has a less pronounced effect on peak demand (26%). The combination of schedule shifting and solar integration delivers the most significant benefits, with the highest cost reductions (28%) and peak demand reductions (60%). This study demonstrates that synchronised solar energy generation and optimised scheduling can enhance energy efficiency and long-term financial savings, offering a practical solution for reducing operational costs and improving sustainability in schools. This study demonstrates how public institutions can contribute to the energy transition by adapting their operational schedules to align with renewable energy availability, rather than relying on conventional fixed schedules.