Public Organizations Research Articles

Public Maternal Health Dashboards in the United States: Descriptive Assessment.

Data dashboards have become more widely used for the public communication of health-related data, including in maternal health. We aimed to evaluate the content and features of existing publicly available maternal health dashboards in the United States. Through systematic searches, we identified 80 publicly available, interactive dashboards presenting US maternal health data. We abstracted and descriptively analyzed the technical features and content of identified dashboards across four areas: (1) scope and origins, (2) technical capabilities, (3) data sources and indicators, and (4) disaggregation capabilities. Where present, we abstracted and qualitatively analyzed dashboard text describing the purpose and intended audience. Most reviewed dashboards reported state-level data (58/80, 72%) and were hosted on a state health department website (48/80, 60%). Most dashboards reported data from only 1 (33/80, 41%) or 2 (23/80, 29%) data sources. Key indicators, such as the maternal mortality rate (10/80, 12%) and severe maternal morbidity rate (12/80, 15%), were absent from most dashboards. Included dashboards used a range of data visualizations, and most allowed some disaggregation by time (65/80, 81%), geography (65/80, 81%), and race or ethnicity (55/80, 69%). Among dashboards that identified their audience (30/80, 38%), legislators or policy makers and public health agencies or organizations were the most common audiences. While maternal health dashboards have proliferated, their designs and features are not standard. This assessment of maternal health dashboards in the United States found substantial variation among dashboards, including inconsistent data sources, health indicators, and disaggregation capabilities. Opportunities to strengthen dashboards include integrating a greater number of data sources, increasing disaggregation capabilities, and considering end-user needs in dashboard design.

Dietary Differences by Job Type and Industry Among Workers in Japan During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced people to change their lifestyles. We examined dietary differences by job type and industry among workers during the pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted using data an internet survey. Job type and industry were classified into 3 and 22 groups, respectively. Dietary behaviors were assessed using self-reported questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis nested in the workplace prefecture was conducted. Workers involved in jobs that required communication with people were more likely to skip breakfast (odds ratio [OR]: 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-1.24) and had a lower meal frequency (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.17-1.34) than workers engaged in desk work. Manual workers were more likely to eat fast food or meals (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03-1.17) than were those engaged in desk work. Workers in the newspaper, magazine, television, radio, advertising, and other mass media industries were more likely to skip breakfast (OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.82-3.24) and have a lower meal frequency (OR: 3.90, 95% CI: 2.87-5.28) than workers in public offices and organizations. These results were partially consistent with trends reported before the pandemic. Further studies should be conducted to clarify the causes of differences in dietary behavior among workers.

Contribution of Biometric Fingerprint in Reducing Prevalence of Unauthorized Absenteeism among Employees in Public Organizations in Moshi Municipality

This study investigated the contribution of biometric fingerprint technology in reducing unauthorized absences among employees in public organizations within Moshi Municipality, Tanzania. Grounded in the Social Control Theory, the research utilized a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach. The target population consisted of 3,218 public employees from 45 organizations, with a sample of 356 respondents. The study collected qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring validity and reliability through content, face validity, and Cronbach's alpha. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS, while qualitative data underwent context analysis. Ethical guidelines were strictly adhered to. The findings revealed that public servants in Moshi Municipality perceived biometric fingerprint technology as a reliable solution for addressing unauthorized absences in the workplace. Implementation of this biometric has created a secure and accountable work environment. The study concludes that the use of biometric fingerprint technology has positive contributions to attendance management, accountability, and productivity of public organization employees. Further, it was recommended that public organizations prioritize clear communication with employees about the purpose, benefits, and safeguards of biometric fingerprint technology. Additionally, further research is suggested to explore the challenges faced by employees in utilizing this technology, with the aim of contributing to the existing knowledge base on biometric fingerprints in public organizations.

Peering into the team role kaleidoscope: the interplay of personal characteristics and verbal interactions in collaborative problem solving.

The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between personality and peer-rated team role behavior on the one hand and team role behavior and verbal behavior on the other hand. To achieve this, different data types were collected in fifteen professional teams of four members (N = 60) from various private and public organizations in Flanders, Belgium. Participants' personalities were assessed using a workplace-contextualized personality questionnaire based on the Big Five, including domains and facets. Typical team role behavior was assessed by the team members using the Team Role Experience and Orientation peer rating system. Verbal interactions of nine of the teams (n = 36) were recorded in an educational lab setting, where participants performed several collaborative problem-solving tasks as part of a training. To process these audio data, a coding scheme for collaborative problem solving and linguistic inquiry and word count were used. We identified robust links and logical correlation patterns between personality traits and typical team role behaviors, complementing prior research that only focused on self-reported team behavior. For instance, a relatively strong correlation was found between Altruism and the Team builder role. Next, the study reveals that role taking within teams is associated with specific verbal interaction patterns. For example, members identified as Organizers were more engaged in responding to others' ideas and monitoring execution.

A Survey of Public Library-Led Digital Literacy Training in Canada: Perceptions of Administrators and Instructors

Objective – This paper presents the results from a survey of administrators and instructors at public libraries across Canada investigating the delivery of digital literacy training led by public libraries. The goal of the survey was to capture a snapshot of the Canadian public library-led digital literacy training landscape and to explore differences in perceptions of training activities between public library administrators and instructors. Methods – An online survey was distributed to administrators and instructors at public libraries across Canada with the help of two national public library associations. The survey instrument was developed based on a theoretical framework from the research team’s prior case study investigations of community-led digital literacy training. The survey included closed- and open-ended questions concerning the availability of adequate/sustained funding, the adequacy of dedicated classroom resources, the competency of teaching staff, the helpfulness of support staff, the amount and frequency of knowledge sharing of best practices, the amount of rigorous and regular performance measurement, the scheduling of the training provided, the skills taught, the pedagogical approaches used, and the marketing carried out. Responses were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. Results – Public library administrators and instructors in Canada are generally satisfied with the delivery of digital literacy training; however, room for improvement exists. Instructors are more positive about the delivery of this training than administrators. Findings support and extend the research team’s conceptual model, specifically in terms of providing more insight and clarity on how the learning environment and program components affect the delivery of digital literacy training led by public libraries. Results highlight how training is situated in context and how libraries need to fine-tune the delivery of this training in ways that are reflective of libraries’ learning environments and program components. Conclusion – Results are of high interest to researchers and library practitioners who wish to leverage evidence-based library and information practice to understand and address the factors affecting the successful delivery of public library-led digital literacy training. Though funding is always an obstacle for any public service organization, libraries can make improvements to the delivery of their training in other ways, such as carrying out more robust performance measurement and using results more transparently, participating in more knowledge-sharing opportunities, and better understanding learner needs and preferences.

Similarities and differences between digitalization indexes

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Digitalization is nowadays one of the fastest developing processes. The adoption of digital technologies can provide innumerous opportunities for the organizations to evolve and gain competitive advantage by leveraging of technologies to respond to dynamic expectations and demands. Information about the country digitalization level is essential to decision makers in both public and private organizations. It can present insights on which areas need the most investment, and furthermore to gain feedback on the outcomes of these investments. For companies, it can create a certain predictability on which products and services will be required the most. To assess the evolution of this process in different countries, various indexes were proposed and employed by different corporations. The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) and ICT Development Index (IDI) are used by public organizations. Digitalization Index (DiGiX) and Cisco Digital Readiness Index (CISCO) are used by private companies. Comparing two sectors highlights the most common factors of digital evaluation. Indexes are analyzed thoroughly by their structure, coverage, weights, methodology and ranking. The result of the practical work is a equivalence table which shows the percentage of their similarity. Additionally, a new digitalization index is proposed, based on the result of the previous comparison, which can be applied to analyze both public and private sector of the country’s digitalization level. </span></p>

Empathy in public relations practice of South Korea

Using a qualitative approach, this study explores the role of empathy as a critical skill that can improve public relations practice. Specifically, it investigates how South Korean public relations practitioners perceive the role of empathy based on their life and work experiences, beliefs, and feelings. This theme is considered within the context of the Korean culture of Shim-Cheong, a state focused on “we-ness,” and Cheong. The study results reveal three important aspects of empathy for public relations practitioners: 1) an empathic appraisal that allows evaluation of public emotions, 2) a sensitivity that enables detection of/predicts a change in public mood, and 3) sympathetic arousal that ensures sincere communication of empathy in a crisis. When the public perceives organizations and their issues as problematic, public affect changes from positive to negative. Empathy as capacity, intuition, and attitude allows public relations practitioners to determine when public affect has significantly changed South Koreans in the culture of Shim-Cheong. Since South Koreans tend to express positive moods more readily than negative emotions, practitioners can use an affect monitoring system to identify social trends and perform more in-depth analyses to assess contextual meanings and identify potential risks.

Information and Communication Technology Adoption, Administrative Discretion, and Innovative Mindsets in Public Organizations

This article examines how information and communication technology (ICT) adoption and administrative discretion are associated with the innovative mindsets of public employees in South Korea. Employing moderated multiple regression analysis, the authors examined secondary survey data on South Korean public employees’ perceptions collected by the Korea Institute of Public Administration in 2021. The findings support a direct and positive impact of ICT adoption and administrative discretion on the innovative mindsets of public employees. Moreover, the results highlight the moderating influence of (perceptual) administrative discretion on the relationship between ICT adoption and innovative mindsets of public employees. The authors discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the findings and contributions of this study.

The vices and virtues of medical models of obesity.

Despite numerous public health organizations supporting the pathologization of obesity and considering recent obesity rates a health crisis, many researchers in the humanities, social sciences, and even in the health sciences remain unconvinced. In this paper, we address a set of arguments coming from these academic fields that criticize medical models of obesity for their supposedly flawed diagnostic categories that shift focus onto individuals and support moralizing judgements. Clarifying some key claims in these models and explicating the view of obesity in terms of energy dysregulation, we aim to tease apart misunderstandings and argue that not only do these models not say what they are often accused of saying, but their apparent vices may actually be virtues in helping to combat stigma. Building on the social psychology of stigma and disease labeling, we then suggest that current medical models are largely supportive of many moral and political aims promoted by critics of these models.

Building Relationships, Forming Collaborations: Lessons Learned From an Unconference Seeking to Cultivate Solutions in Healthcare.

Calls for a 'major rethinking' of the delivery of healthcare services are echoed across Canada as the healthcare crisis continues. Proposed strategies to address the challenges of this crisis include: a transdisciplinary approach that is patient-focused and community-based; a representative team composed of patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, decision makers and policymakers; and authentic collaboration among stakeholder groups throughout the research cycle. This study aimed to enable community members to take on a leading role in building capacity and to provide a space for discourse among diverse groups while respecting community wisdom, values and priorities. The Collaborative Health Research Institute of Southern Alberta (CHRISA) organized a participant-oriented Unconference event to address the factors contributing to the healthcare crisis in Alberta, Canada. An Unconference is a participant-oriented meeting where the attendees nominate the topics, agree on the agenda and lead the sessions. This article describes the Unconference programme and presents the findings from a thematic analysis of the discussion notes from breakout sessions, feedback from participants (i.e., lessons learned) and pragmatic recommendations for future Unconference events. Findings from sessions included the following: (1) identifying the 'wicked' problems, (2) the factors/causes contributing to each problem (i.e., contributors) and (3) potential multifaceted solutions or ideas to remedy the problem. Lessons learned from the postevent evaluation resulted in six recommendations for organizing future Unconferences. The CHRISA Unconference achieved its goals by providing a venue for attendees to connect, engage and network on topics of interest, explore new ways of addressing challenges in healthcare and serve as a foundation for future initiatives and collaborations in healthcare research and practice. The Unconference was attended by community members who identify as patients, frontline workers, programme administrators and representatives of public organizations and agencies. Participants contributed to breakout session discussions, provided feedback on the Unconference and offered recommendations for future events. The co-authors are service users, people with lived experience or those work in the healthcare setting; they have been involved in data collection, analysis and interpretation, and contributed to this report.

Sleepless for the family: The relationship between public employees’ family motivation and work stress

IMPACT This article explains how family motivation can be a stressor for public sector employees in the workplace and why public sector organizations should be aware of family motivation and its potential stress and health-related effects. In addition, it shows that physical activity—but not public service motivation—can help civil servants alleviate their work stress caused by family motivation. Public organizations need to develop policies to help employees deal with work stress and insomnia including promoting more physical activity which can improve employees’ well-being when facing pressing issues, such as budget cuts and family financial problems. Based on a study in China, the authors’ recommendations for practice have international relevance but most particularly in collectivist cultures such as Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

Teleworking and work-family balance in public educational institutions

PurposeThis article aims to investigate teleworking in public institutions, specifically focussing on the perspectives of technical-administrative employees at a Brazilian federal educational institution.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology involved the use of guided semi-structured interviews with public servants. The analysis applied a prior set of categories derived from the advantages and disadvantages of teleworking, as well as the favourable and unfavourable aspects of the interaction between teleworking and family relationships.FindingsThe findings reveal a range of benefits associated with teleworking, primarily an improved quality of life for workers. However, the study also identified significant challenges, including excessive workload, social isolation and difficulties in separating personal and professional life, corroborating with previous studies.Research limitations/implicationsIt is crucial to note that the majority of participants in the study have children or dependants, which could potentially influence their teleworking strategies and experiences. This demographic factor may play a significant role in how participants navigate their work-from-home routines and manage their responsibilities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.Practical implicationsWorking from home presents two sides of the same coin according to the vision of those involved in this type of work. Public organisations should know in depth the challenges faced by their workers to prioritise planning that monitors their workforce and achieve success with teleworking.Originality/valueThe insights from this study provide valuable guidance for the development of evidence-based teleworking policies and practices in public educational institutions.

Appraisal model on how accounting data analytics impacts public sector sustainability reporting

The current manuscript establishes and validates a conceptual framework that focuses on the correlation between accounting data analytics (ADA) and the quality of digital sustainability reporting (QDSR). Moreover, it aims to examine how the sustainable green internal control system (SGICS) facilitates the relationship between ADA and QDSR. The current manuscript employed a three-pronged methodology comprising of expert interviews, a literature review, and a self-administered survey, in sequential sequence. To determine the measuring scales and relevant concerns, the qualitative methodology originally involved conducting several semi-structured interviews with specialists and doing a thorough examination of the relevant literature. In the quantitative phase, statistical data were collected by two-wave paper-and-pencil surveys given to respondents in Vietnamese public sector organizations. The survey was conducted using a snowball and convenience sampling method. The data analysis was conducted utilizing the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique with the assistance of SmartPLS 4.1.0.3. The statistical results validated the significantly positive connection between ADA and QDSR. This link was partially mediated by SGICS.

Online volunteering and subjective well-being in China

This study aims to examine the relationship between online volunteering and subjective well-being (SWB) and to explore the mediation effect of online bridging networks. The data used in this study came from the 2019 Chinese General Social Survey (CSS). In this study, individuals who responded to survey questions about their participation in online volunteering activities and their subjective well-being(SWB) were included for analysis (N = 5556). The results showed a positive relationship between online volunteering and online bridging networks and indicated that online volunteering affects subjective well-being through the mediating role of online bridging networks. The implications of this study are relevant to policy-makers in public health and social service organizations. Based on the findings, policy-makers and nonprofit organizations are called on to support this type of volunteering which is an important means of improving public health. Nonprofit organizations can establish online social networks for potential volunteers. In addition, nonprofit organizations need to invest more resources to enhance the digital literacy of employees and volunteers, in order to enhance the quality of online volunteering services.

Employees trust, perceived justice, on task performance: Mediating and moderating role of autonomy and organizational culture

This study explores the impact of trust and perceived justice on task performance within UAE public sector organizations, emphasizing the mediating role of autonomy and the moderating effect of organizational culture. This research was driven by gaps in the current understanding of how individual perceptions of fairness and trust impact practical outcomes in the public sector. Through a survey of 273 public sector employees and structural equation modeling, this study demonstrates how trust and perceived justice significantly enhance task performance, with autonomy serving as a crucial mediator. Organizational culture also plays a complex role in moderating these effects, adding a cultural context layer to the theoretical framework grounded in social exchange theory. This study contributes to this field by providing empirical evidence supporting the enhancement of autonomy and justice perceptions to improve employee performance in the public sector. This contribution is particularly significant as it challenges traditional views on the trust-autonomy relationship and offers new insights into the role of organizational culture. By highlighting these dynamics, this study fills a crucial gap in the literature and also offers a model that can guide future research and practical applications in similar contexts. The findings underscore the necessity of fostering trust and perceived justice within organizations, recommending that leaders focus on enhancing autonomy and carefully consider the influence of organizational culture. This approach promises to improve task performance and employee satisfaction, thereby contributing to a more effective administration and service delivery in the public sector.

Technological Factors Affecting Communication Quality at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade

In the current era of technological explosion, applications are widely adopted and continuously improved, significantly impacting the education sector and creating a high demand for training within educational institutions. This manuscript identifies technological factors influencing communication quality at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, with broader implications for enhancing communication strategies in other educational and public sector organizations. Combining qualitative and quantitative methods, the study involved in-depth interviews with experts and a survey of 582 students, utilizing descriptive statistics, reliability testing, exploratory factor analysis, correlation analysis, and regression on SPSS 20.0 software. The proposed model includes five factors: Application Utility, Digital Transformation Enhancement, Practical Flexibility, Technological Trends, and Technology 4.0 Experience. Results show these factors positively support the school's brand and communication quality.

The Pitfalls of the Certificate-Based User Authentication Scheme on Korean Public Websites

The Korean government has employed a certificate-based user authentication scheme powered by Internet Explorer and ActiveX plug-ins for the past two decades. Users must obtain accredited digital certificates, install all required plug-ins on their machines, and undergo all user authentication procedures. Most clients mistakenly take a series of authentication procedures for granted and unwittingly make copies of security code cards, store accredited digital certificates on hard disks, and mechanically click “Yes” or “OK”. Public websites lack cross-platform and cross-browser compatibility and discriminate against those who do not use Windows. The government should require public organizations to provide at least a password-based n-factor authentication scheme over SSL/TLS and should reform institutional arrangements so that service providers take primary responsibility for online transactions. This “Galapagos e-government” case illustrates the importance of global technology standards and web accessibility.

Organizational culture and knowledge management as strategies to improve the efficiency in the public organizations sector of emerging countries

The purpose of this study is to provide empirical evidence about the relationship between Organizational Culture and Knowledge Management in public sector organizations in Colombia. This research is based on information obtained from a survey applied to workers in different positions and areas of four organizations in the Colombian government at the departmental level. A survey of 22 items measured Organizational Culture, and 19 items measured Knowledge Management. The results show that the strongest correlation is between a flexible organizational structure and leadership that foments the development of worker capabilities to register and use knowledge. Furthermore, to achieve efficiency the public organizations should foster adaptability to environment, a well-defined management and value-oriented human behavior and overcome barriers such as bureaucracy, inefficient administration, and make adequate knowledge management.

Navigating Open Innovation at the European Space Agency: A Strategy for Public Organizations and Their Stakeholders

Summary Public organizations are embracing open innovation (OI) to better serve their societal mission. This study presents a “Strategy Perimeter Framework,” developed and validated at the European Space Agency, to integrate OI into their strategy development. The framework helps manage stakeholder engagement within the strategy perimeter, thereby fostering collaborative innovation. It enables the alignment of stakeholder engagement with a public organization’s adoption of OI, ensuring innovation aligns with societal objectives.

Drivers of the use of digital platforms by Portuguese parishes – how small government entities struggle with the demand for transparency

PurposeThe provision of online information through the use of digital platforms (websites and social networks) can be helpful for public sector organisations to promote transparency and accountability, thereby bringing it closer to citizens, more accessible and with higher added value for society. Whereas the call for government transparency is manifest and seems to be equal for all parts of government, this paper investigates whether small government entities are able to cope with this demand. In addition, the drivers of digital platforms are investigated in the context of Portuguese parishes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper follows a quantitative research approach based on an original data set with more than 3,000 observations collected in two different time periods (2015 and 2020), which looks at the parishes’ use of website and Facebook.FindingsFindings show that about half of Portuguese parishes, which are mostly small entities with on average fewer than 3,500 inhabitants, have an institutional website, whereas almost three out of four have Facebook. The empirical analyses reveal that a lack of organisational capacity of small entities can be an obstacle for the use of an institutional website and of Facebook. Furthermore, factors from the provider side (e.g. being part of a merger, participation in previous elections) and the user side (e.g. having access to broadband internet) are also found to have an influence on the adoption, use, and dropping of a digital platform.Originality/valueThe use of an original data set with more than 3,000 observations, and the research of the influence of size as a proxy of organisational capacity on the presence of parishes on the internet and Facebook, are innovative elements of this paper. In addition, this study adds to the knowledge about the influence of organisational, political, and socio-demographic characteristics on the use of digital platforms by small government entities.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-04-2023-0171