Public Management Research Articles

Public managers, drivers of ambidexterity in public service delivery. The perceived impact of red tape and PSM on ambidexterity

PurposeTo overcome external challenges and deliver high-quality public services, public organizations must balance efficiency and innovation, becoming ambidextrous. The main purpose of the paper is to gain more insight into the impact of red tape on ambidexterity and the moderating role of public service motivation (PSM) by examining the perceptions of public managers.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a survey among 278 public managers working for a general administration of a Federal Public Service in Belgium and analyzed by multiple linear regression.FindingsOur findings show that red tape has a negative impact on ambidexterity. Although PSM does not moderate this relationship, it does show a direct positive effect on ambidexterity.Originality/valueAlthough considered an important capability within public administration (PA), research on specific PA antecedents of ambidexterity is still limited. This paper makes two important contributions. First, by focusing on public managers, it explores what their role is regarding ambidexterity. Second, this paper empirically contributes to the understanding of how two specific PA phenomena, red tape and PSM, influence ambidexterity. This contributes to two debates: the debate on the influence and control of individual managers on the consequences of red tape within public organizations and the debate about the consequences of red tape and PSM for ambidexterity.

Evaluasi Anggaran Berbasis Kinerja, SPIP, dan Akuntabilitas Kinerja di Pemerintah Kabupaten Manggarai Timur

This study aims to analyze and explain the implementation of performance-based budgeting, the Government Internal Control System (SPIP), and government performance accountability in the East Manggarai Regency Regional Government, with a case study conducted at the East Manggarai Regency Regional Finance Agency. The research uses a descriptive qualitative method to explore how these three aspects are integrated and applied in the regional financial management system. The findings reveal that the implementation of performance-based budgeting has brought fundamental improvements in financial governance. Budget planning and fund allocation are now more prioritized, economical, efficient, and transparent, supported by a structured and accountable budget presentation system. Furthermore, the implementation of the Government Internal Control System (SPIP) has generally shown positive outcomes in the management of public resources. This is demonstrated by a strong commitment to integrity, consistent risk evaluation, an integrated control system based on the Regional Development Information System (SIPD), effective communication mechanisms, and thorough monitoring processes. In addition, the performance accountability of the East Manggarai Regency Regional Finance Agency has also improved, as evidenced by regular performance evaluations, participative budgeting processes, and the collaborative establishment of performance indicators. These efforts reflect a growing culture of transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the governance of regional finances. Overall, the integration of performance-based budgeting, SPIP, and accountability mechanisms has contributed significantly to improving the quality of public financial management in the region, indicating a positive trajectory towards good governance in the public sector.

Public management and street-level bureaucrats

Public management and street-level bureaucrats

Research on the Mechanism of the Role of Employees' Commuting Satisfaction on Their Career Calling in the Context of Human-Computer Collaboration

In recent years, with the continuous changes in the working environment and social culture, the mechanism of employees' commuting satisfaction on their career calling has attracted the attention of academics and enterprises, especially in the fields of enterprise management and public management. However, there is a lack of research in China on the factors that change the dynamics of commuting satisfaction and the mechanism of the role of sense of career calling in the work environment of human-computer collaborative. In order to fill this gap, the paper pays special attention to the moderating role of human-computer collaborative environments in commuting satisfaction.Based on the questionnaire data of 204 Chinese employees, regression analysis and mediation effect analysis were used to explore in depth the relationship between human-computer collaborative environment, commuting well-being, career calling, and work satisfaction, which provides new theoretical perspectives for public sector and corporate human resource management, and is of great significance in promoting the healthy development of human-computer collaborative environment.

Projecting the 30-Year Burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the United States.

Projecting the 30-Year Burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the United States.

How Ensembling AI and Public Managers Improves Decision-Making

How Ensembling AI and Public Managers Improves Decision-Making

The spatial distribution of mortality in a large metropolis: A methodology for identifying geographical patterns and contributing factors.

The spatial distribution of mortality in a large metropolis: A methodology for identifying geographical patterns and contributing factors.

What Kind of Recreational Infrastructure Encourages Forest Visits the Most? A Case Study of Poland

In recent years, there has been a systematic return of humans to nature, the importance of the services and benefits provided by forests and other green spaces has increased, and thus the interest in recreational facilities that appear in forest areas has also increased. Recreational infrastructure in forests is essential to enhance the visitor experience while ensuring the ecological sustainability of forest ecosystems. The aim of our research was to establish how the socio-demographic factors have influenced the public perception of recreational infrastructure in forests, and how the demand for certain types of recreational land facilities has changed. The research material consists of the results of a questionnaire survey (online and traditional) carried out in Poland from September to October in 2020. A total of 1402 people were surveyed. A logistic regression (LR) model was used to determine the influence of the socio-demographic profile of the respondents on their perception of the importance of recreational infrastructure. The results indicate that linear recreational infrastructure, i.e., cycling (38.6% of respondents), walking (32.9%), and educational paths (19.7%), were of greatest interest. Viewpoints were highly preferred by respondents (29.9% of respondents). The demand for recreational facilities was mainly determined by the age and number of children owned and the place of residence of the respondents. Other socio-demographic characteristics, i.e., education level, gender, and satisfaction with the standard of living, were less influential on respondents’ views. Among the most needed recreational amenities in forests, social (52.2%) and recreational (46.5% of respondents) facilities were highlighted. The factors most strongly determining respondents’ views on the need to develop a particular type of recreational facilities in the forest were frequency of visits to the forest and distance of residence from the forest. Other factors such as age, education level, gender, or the number of children owned determined respondents’ opinions on the issues analyzed to a lower extent. The results are of great use, allowing public forest managers to better plan infrastructure in forest areas. Our research provides valuable insights into the management of forests, especially those with dominant social functions. The resulting recommendations allow us to prepare forests for changing demographic trends (an expected increase in urbanized areas and aging population) and rising social expectations. We prove that forests and recreational infrastructure are crucial in promoting people’s physical and mental health. Properly planned recreational infrastructure is able to encourage more physical activity outdoors and more frequent visits to forests.

Gaps in failure management of public transport supply in Addis Ababa: a comprehensive assessment

ABSTRACT This study assesses failures in public transport operational management emphasizing on gaps in policies, strategies, and regulations. Using a mixed-methods approach, data is collected through surveys from 505 respondents, interviews, and focus group discussion (FGD). Simple random and purposive sampling is used to select passenger, interview and focus group discussion participants. SPSS and NVivo software is used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Three modes of public transport (bus, mini-bus taxi and midi-bus are included in the study. The result identified unaffordability, overcrowding, inaccessibility and longer waiting time as challenges of public transport. Absence of centralized control system, real-time data and advanced analytics to predict and address demand-supply mismatches, lack of different affordability intervention strategies, absence of demand management strategies, absence of public private partnership to finance supply, inability to devise own public transport financing mechanisms are found to be gaps in management of supply failures. In spite of the growing body of research on public transport failures in Addis Ababa, there are no studies that which analyze failure’s management on road-based public transport system. Hence, the study contributes to the transport literature by delivering practical insights into supply failure management and policy gaps in developing city settings.

A tombus-like virus in patients with lower respiratory tract infection: an observational study based on meta-transcriptomic sequencing

The identification of a novel virus related to the family Tombusviridae, provisionally named human tombus-like virus (hTLV), is significant in the context of ongoing surveillance for respiratory pathogens. Meta-transcriptomic sequencing was utilized to detect respiratory pathogens in patients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs) in Jinan, China, from 2022 to 2023. The additional hTLV infections were identified through retrospective analysis of meta-transcriptome data collected in Beijing, China, from 2016 to 2019, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that hTLVs were clustered with a Jingmen tombus-like virus 2 but in a distinct clade. The hTLVs genomes consist of a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genomes of 4.7–4.8 kb in size, and contained four putative open reading frames (ORF1–4). The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase protein of hTLV shared significant sequence similarity containing three conserved motifs with 15, 24, and 15 amino acids, respectively. The hTLV genome included the canonical Gly376-Asp377-Asp378 (GDD) catalytic residues, which were a unifying feature of viruses in the family Tombusviridae. The main clinical manifestations of the 23 patients were fever, cough, expectoration and dyspnea, with varying degrees of lung infection or abnormalities in other laboratory indicators. Serological studies showed that fourfold rise in IgG titers in sera of a patient between acute and convalescent phase by ELISA. Identification of the pathogens for acute respiratory tract infections is essential for timely public health interventions and clinical management. The discovery of a novel virus, hTLV, in patients with LRIs highlights the continuous emergence of new respiratory pathogens in humans.

The impact of a humanitarian crisis on the magnitude of malaria in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia from 2014 to 2024

BackgroundThough Ethiopia has made a remarkable effort towards malaria prevention and control activities, malaria is occurring at epidemic levels in different regions. In Tigray, the health system including the surveillance system was damaged due to the war that erupted in November 2020, which requested to assess the burden of malaria in the region. A noticeable lack of malaria is due to the humanitarian crisis (war). Therefore, this study aimed to describe the malaria situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia from 2014 to 2024.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted in January 2025 retrospectively data sourced from 2014 to 2024 in Tigray. Data was collected from the public health emergency management and health management information system database using a data abstraction tool. Data was cleaned and analysed through Microsoft Excel 2019 and ArcGIS 10.7. The analysed findings were presented using narratives, tables and graphs.ResultsAmong 7,195,545 suspected cases, 2,185,318 (30.37%) were confirmed malaria cases, yielding an average incidence rate of 35.37 per 1,000 people (95% CI 24.80–45.94) and a case fatality rate of 27 per 100,000. Plasmodium falciparum (65.3%) was the predominant species, followed by Plasmodium vivax (34.7%). The highest transmission was recorded in 2024 (382,955 cases), while the lowest was in 2021 (19,110 cases). During the conflict, report completeness decreased by 83%. Malaria cases peaked in autumn, with an average incidence rate of males and females at 50.19 and 25.31 per 1000, population, respectively, and individuals over 15 years old were 43.16 per 1000. Incidence was highest in the western zone (85/1,000) and lowest in the Eastern and Mekelle zones (7/1,000).ConclusionsThe magnitude of malaria was low during the crisis due to a very low notification rate, but the disease flared up and still became a major public health problem during the post-war period due to improved data access. Therefore, scaling-up vector control measures during high malaria transmission periods and geographical priorities for controlling and eliminating malaria to achieve the country's elimination strategies.

The Role of Electronic Tax Stamps in Collection of Excise Duty in Tanzania

This study investigates the role of Electronic Tax Stamps (ETS) in enhancing the collection of excise duty in Tanzania. Introduced in 2018, ETS was designed as a transformative tax administration reform aimed at improving the traceability, monitoring, and authentication of excisable goods such as alcohol, tobacco, and soft drinks. The Tanzanian government implemented this digital system to address challenges associated with underreporting, counterfeit production, and tax evasion that had long undermined the efficiency of excise duty collection. Drawing inspiration from global best practices, where countries like Mexico, the United States, and South Africa have used similar technologies to improve tax compliance and revenue performance, Tanzania adopted ETS as part of its broader strategy to strengthen public finance management. The system allows real-time tracking of excisable goods throughout the supply chain, promoting transparency, accountability, and improved reporting accuracy. Early results from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) indicate that excise revenue has significantly increased since ETS implementation, confirming its potential to enhance domestic resource mobilization. This study employs a time-series quantitative approach, using excise duty data from 2011/12 to 2023/24 to assess the impact of ETS. Regression analysis was conducted to compare pre- and post-implementation revenue trends, with findings showing a statistically significant increase of approximately TZS 435.72 billion in annual excise collections after ETS adoption. These results affirm the system’s effectiveness in supporting compliance and addressing inefficiencies in traditional tax collection methods. The study concludes that ETS plays a critical role in modernizing Tanzania’s tax administration, improving excise revenue performance, and fostering a more transparent and efficient fiscal system. It recommends further expansion of the ETS system, increased stakeholder engagement, and investment in digital infrastructure to sustain and amplify its long-term benefits.

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

The relevance of researching strategic management in the public administration system is driven by the need to adapt management processes to dynamic changes in the socio-economic, political, and technological environment. Traditional approaches no longer provide the necessary level of flexibility and efficiency, necessitating the implementation of innovative strategies based on digital technologies, artificial intelligence, big data analysis, and predictive analytics. In this context, the integration of advanced management methods becomes particularly significant in ensuring stability, transparency, and efficiency in the public sector. The aim of this article is to justify the necessity of implementing innovative approaches to strategic management in public administration, defining their essence, implementation mechanisms, and effectiveness assessment. The authors analyze conceptual approaches to strategic management, emphasizing adaptive models that enable rapid responses to contemporary challenges. The analysis of contemporary scientific sources indicates the active development of strategic management in the context of digital transformation. Leading scholars such as H. Mintzberg, M. Porter, D. Osborne, and T. Gaebler have explored the impact of innovative mechanisms on the efficiency of the public sector, examining concepts such as "new public management" and competitive strategies. In the Ukrainian scientific discourse, this topic is also the subject of numerous studies, particularly in the works of S. Kvitka, V. Korsun, Yu. Mahylias, M.P. Butko, V.V. Troshchynskyi, and other researchers, who analyze the role of digitalization and open government technologies in strategic management. The article examines key aspects of strategic management, including long-term planning, internal and external environment analysis, scenario forecasting, and the development of adaptive policies. Special attention is given to the integration of digital technologies into public governance, which enhances transparency, ensures the efficient use of resources, and increases public trust in government institutions. Given contemporary challenges such as geopolitical instability, economic crises, and the rapid advancement of technology, the article proposes a flexible management concept based on the principles of adaptability, interagency coordination, and digital integration. The proposed approach will contribute to the development of effective management strategies capable of ensuring the stable growth of the public sector and enhancing its competitiveness in the global context.

Sex differences in prevalence of metabolic syndrome components and contributing factors among psychiatric patients in Saudi Arabia

Background/objectivesThe purpose of this study was to detect sex differences in metabolic syndrome (MS) features and risk variables among Saudi participants.MethodsFor this study, 144 patients (52.08% males, 47.92% females) aged 19 to 59 signed a written consent form based on the Declaration of Helsinki, either as a patient or a family member. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data on family disease history, health, and eating habits. MS components included waist circumstance (WC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), fasting glucose (FG), and blood pressure. A chi-square test was used to compare categorical data within and across sexes.ResultsThe associations between variables were found using Spearman correlation coefficients and simple regression analysis. Anthropometric indices were significantly (p ≤ 0.01) varied between sexes as well as family history, health behaviors, and eating behaviors. Sex variations in MS components that contributed to an MS diagnosis were discovered and were significantly varied between sexes. The most common components in males were low HDL-C (90.67%), high WC (85.33), and elevated TG levels (76.0%). In females, the most typically recognized components were high WC (86.96%), followed by high FG (69.57%) and high blood pressure and TG (63.77%). Sex differences in other risk variables for MS, such as family history, health, dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking, were found to be associated with high anthropometric indices.ConclusionSex-specific public health policies and management techniques for preventing MS in the older adult population should be created for Saudis who are aging physiologically.

Assessing Environmental Health and Hygiene: A Study of Public Restroom Conditions at the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics

Background: We explored the perceptions, value, and social visibility of public toilets by comparing the implementation of public restrooms at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. We specifically examined how sociocultural factors influenced restroom policies and development. Methods: We conducted a survey of the history of public toilets as a form of public hygiene management in Japan and France during the Olympics. The analyses compare Paris’s eco-friendly and Tokyo’s culture-oriented approaches. Results: The 2020 Tokyo Olympics demonstrated how public restrooms can promote cleanliness and hygiene. However, the 2024 Paris Olympics adopted a practical, eco-friendly approach in response to the climate crisis. Thus, the public restrooms in both cities provided novel examples of public health policies, integrating scientific and cultural perspectives. Conclusion: Although Tokyo successfully implemented its sanitation culture in its public restrooms, challenges related to sustainability remained. In Paris, the perceptions of public restrooms have not yet been fully addressed. Nevertheless, the innovative approaches of both cities are expected to yield constructive outcomes for the 2028 Games, demonstrating the future value of such policies.

Rapid assessment of cold-water coral habitats in public management maps: a rapid assessment of a fjord with no records of corals

Abstract Marine ecosystems serve as the ultimate repositories for contaminants, with water pollution stemming from human activities such as urbanization, industrialization, and agriculture. In Norway’s coastal regions, competition for ocean space and the protection of marine habitats are increasingly contentious, exacerbated by a lack of data on the distribution of vulnerable species and habitats. Cold-Water Corals (CWC), crucial biodiversity hotspots in deeper waters, face threats from physical damage, industrial effluents, and climate change. Despite their ecological importance, records of CWC in Norway remain sparse, primarily relying on costly state-mandated environmental surveys or specific scientific initiatives. The lack of systematic mapping complicates sustainable, knowledge-based ocean space planning and management. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of Rapid Assessment Surveys (RAS) as a cost-efficient method for detecting CWC and vulnerable marine habitats, particularly in steep and deep fjords. A RAS was conducted in Rovdefjorden, a fjord with high-resolution bathymetric maps and abiotic conditions suggesting potential CWC presence but lacking previous records. Using low-cost equipment, including smaller vessels and commercial-grade remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), CWC was confirmed at multiple sites, revealing several previously undocumented coral habitats. A comparative RAS in Storfjorden, which lacks high-resolution maps, was performed, but encountered operational challenges due to local conditions, yet still successfully confirmed CWC presence. These findings highlight the potential of RAS for rapid biodiversity assessments and underscore the need for broader implementation of such methods in marine management and conservation.

Mapping the academic landscape: profiles of academic work in France

ABSTRACT The academic profession in France, as in other European countries, has undergone a number of changes in recent years, particularly with the rise of new public management and the massification of higher education. Academic work is complex and covers a wide range of activities: teaching, research, scientific and administrative responsibilities. Studies in France and abroad have highlighted the difficulties encountered by permanent academics in finding a balance between these different activities, which may even be in competition with one another. The originality of this research lies in the fact that it examines the academic work in detail, taking into account all of their activities. On the basis of a national quantitative survey of 2656 permanent academics, we identify six ‘profiles’ of academic work. We show that these profiles are highly dependent on academic contexts and disciplinary fields, but also on the status, gender and social background of academics. This research therefore highlights a significant segmentation in the academic work of permanent academics and leads us to consider inequalities within higher education more widely.

Dilemma and Path Optimization Faced by Grassroots Governments under the Perspective of Multi-center Governance

In recent years, network governance has been a frontier topic in public management research in Western countries. As a new governance model, network governance is an attempt by the government to cooperate with private organizations, non-governmental organizations and citizens in the face of an increasingly complex environment, in order to better provide public services to the public. In particular, with the interdependence, contingency and uncertainty of social, political and economic changes, the governance process is no longer limited to the formal structure of the government. The formulation and implementation of public policies need to be completed through a large number of formal and informal institutions, mechanisms and processes. Therefore, this paper intends to study the difficulties and performance of grassroots government management in my country, as well as the root causes of the difficulties, from the perspective of multi-center governance theory; and in connection with the actual situation, it proposes improvement methods and suggestions from the aspects of positioning the functions of grassroots governments, creating consensus and trust in grassroots government network governance, and cultivating and integrating the network structure of grassroots governance, so as to enhance the practical significance of this model of network governance for my country.

IT Management Framework for Municipalities

The integration of information technology (IT) into urban processes can significantly enhance public management by providing objective and timely information for decision-making at all levels of governance. It facilitates the administration and control of city resources, strengthens processes, and fosters greater citizen participation, efficiency, and transparency in their execution. This article proposes an IT management framework aligned with the smart city concept. The framework was organized into three levels of IT management: strategic, tactical, and operational, which corresponded to the city's maturity, intelligence, and technology, respectively. The model was based on best practices, international IT standards, and recognized theories. It was developed from the results of an instrument designed to quantify the indicators of two research variables: IT management and smart city, applied to the governing bodies of the city of Santa Marta, Colombia. The analysis of the responses allowed us to quantitatively and qualitatively describe the research variables and their interrelations. It also enabled us to identify strengths and weaknesses in order to make recommendations to improve the technological state and the development of services that increase the level of intelligence from the city of Santa Marta.

Between managerialism and collegiality: the transformation of the academic profession in Ibero-America

ABSTRACT Changes in higher education governance in Ibero-America, driven by New Public Management (NPM) reforms, have redefined the academic profession in different countries. This study provides a comparative analysis of academic roles in Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Portugal, based on data from the Academic Profession in the Knowledge-Based Society (APIKS) survey. Seven dimensions are examined: research and teaching interests, teaching activities, teaching evaluation, research orientation, institutional expectations of research, governance and institutional management and job satisfaction. The results show a widespread preference for combining teaching and research, albeit with national variations. Argentina tends towards teaching, while Mexico prioritises research. Portugal and Chile show a more balanced distribution of interests between research and teaching. Teaching remains central, with high participation in Argentina and Portugal, but lower participation in Mexico. Teaching evaluation is stricter in Mexico and Argentina, but more flexible in Chile and Portugal. Research in Mexico and Argentina is practice-oriented, with little emphasis on technology transfer. Institutional expectations of research are higher in Chile and Mexico. Job satisfaction is lower in Argentina and Portugal, suggesting room for improvement. The results highlight the diverse impacts of NPM on academic professions, reflecting global trends with local specificities.