Public Sector Entities Research Articles

Artificial intelligence and public sector human resource management in South Africa: Opportunities, challenges and prospects

Orientation: The Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed modern society by ushering in the fusion of advances in robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), genetic engineering, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) among others. AI brings a range of different technologies and applications to interact with environments that comprise both the relevant objects and the interaction rules and have the capacity to process information in a way that resembles intelligent behaviour. Similarly, artificial intelligence is also being used in the human resources management (HRM) processes and functions in the public sector to map sequences to actions.Research purpose: The study explores the opportunities, challenges, and future prospects of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Public Sector Human Resource Management (HRM) in South Africa’s public sector.Motivation for the study: The study was motivated by the need to examine the dynamics surrounding the adoption, implementation and operationalisation of the 4IR in the management of human resources in the SA public sector in this unfolding dispensation.Research Approach: Data was collected using the extensive review of written records such as books, journal articles, book chapters among others which were purposively selected for use in this study. Data was analysed using content and thematic analysis techniques.Research Findings: The study established that Artificial Intelligence is beneficial in the sense that it can improve public service delivery in South Africa as the HRM personnel is enabled to focus more on the strategic areas of management by taking over routine tasks, and that it helps minimize bias in public service recruitment and selection. In contrast, research on potential challenges has revealed that combining Artificial Intelligence and Public Sector Human Resource Management may pose a threat to white-collar jobs.Practical/ Managerial Implications: This study may lead to practical applications of AI to support the HR functions of public sector entities in SA. The public managers are better informed about the impediments, gaps and opportunities that may arise from using AI in managing human resources in SA’s public sector.Contributions: This study contributes to the body of knowledge as it unpacks and informs the dynamics associated with the implementation of AI in managing human resources in public sector entities.

A study on the Analyzing the Implementation of Green HRM Practices in Selected Companies in Chhattisgarh

Businesses today understand the critical need of adopting Green HRM practises, which have a direct bearing on their long-term viability. Green HRM, or human resource management that prioritises environmental sustainability, refers to the use of HRM principles and practises to ensure the efficient and responsible use of an organization's resources. The term "green HRM" refers to a set of practises that are implemented with the goal of preventing damage to the environment and safeguarding the planet from potential natural and anthropogenic calamities. This article examines what green HRM is, why it's important, and what kinds of green HR initiatives and practises may help bring about green HRM in the workplace. The state of Chhattisgarh contains 23 public sector entities, all of which might benefit greatly from implementing Green HRM policies and procedures. This paper explores sustainable methods that businesses may implement to position themselves for future success.

46.4 Integrated Mental Health Services Across Systems: Working Within the Family Justice Centers

The goal of this presentation is to demonstrate how the public health sector and direct healthcare entities can advocate and collaborate to provide integrated care for families impacted by domestic violence.

Usability of Cost systems in the Federal Public Sector

The objective of this study was to identify the perception of the usability of the Federal Public sector cost systems by the managers and cost information users. To this end, a survey was carried out with sector and sectionals of costs of the Federal Government, using a questionnaire that was validated by brainstorming and by focal group. The research quantitative data were obtained from the application of the multicriteria analysis model for decision support - Constructivist “Multicriteria Decision Aid - Constructivist” (MCDA-C). The results, generated in the MyMCDA-C software, showed that nine criteria reached the optimum points, reaching an excellent level of usability, which were considered to be very significant for achieving the objectives of using the cost systems. The greatest effort was for “cost methodology” and the lowest for “technology tools.” In practical terms, it was evident that the effort to seek a cost methodology relevant to the agency's objectives is greater than the technological tools currently available. The research also aimed to contribute based on literature to future studies on usability in the accounting sciences area and to subsidize public sector entities upon listing in this work criteria for implementing costs with a focus on usability.

Co-creating a Better Public Value Through Open Innovation: A Bibliometric and Interpretive Review

The evolving institutional, technological, and social contingencies faced by public sector entities make open innovation to be a candidate for being the new normality of public sector management. However, there is little agreement on the distinguishing traits of open innovation in the public realm. The article systematizes the multiplicity of insights delivered by the extant scientific literature, providing a thick and comprehensive account of open innovation in the public sector. A dual approach was taken to conduct this literature review. A bibliographic analysis was implemented to shed light on main research streams driving recent advancements in the management discourse about open innovation in the public sector. Next, an interpretive account of research streams was rendered, highlighting the core arguments addressed by extant scholarly literature. The SPAR-4-SLR protocol was used to collect, assess, and analyze scientific items, enabling us to ensure the study replicability and reliability. Altogether, 108 items were clustered in 5 research streams, accounting for an evolutionary view of open innovation in the public sector. Public sector entities play different roles to foster open innovation. They conventionally act as “senior partners” of private companies, providing funding (Yellow cluster) and data (Purple cluster) to sustain open innovation ecosystems. An alternative perspective understands open innovation as an innovative public management model, which is purposefully enacted by public sector entities to generate public value (Red cluster). Fitting architectures (Green cluster) and mechanisms (Blue cluster) should be designed to propel open innovation in the public sector. Alongside unveiling compelling avenues for further developments, the paper points out insights for scholars and practitioners, emphasizing the need for reconceptualizing the role of public sector organizations in the open innovation context. Tailored management and organizational interventions are needed to overcome the obstacles and the barriers which prevent the exploitation of open innovation as a new public value creation model

Impact of Corporate Governance on Accounting Standards’ Compliance in Nigerian Public Institutions

Purpose: Compliance with International Public Sector Accounting standards have been proved to improve the quality of financial reporting in both private and public sector. This study is an attempt to answer the question whether corporate governance have any influence on compliance of public sector entities with accounting standards (IPSASs).
 Methodology: Descriptive research and survey method of data collection was employed to collect primary data from relevant respondents using questionnaire as an instrument. Four hundred (400) questionnaires were distributed to senior level officers in Finance and Accounts, Internal Audit, and Procurement departments of twenty seven (27) government institutions which were purposefully selected out of a total a total of one hundred and twenty (120) from the south west geo political zone of the country because of proximity. Fifteen (15) respondents were selected from each institution covered except in five which was limited to fourteen (14) due to number of senior level officers in the selected department. Only 92.5% of the questionnaires distributed were returned as validly completed.
 Findings: Findings revealed that the level compliance with IPSASs is high at 67%, which has very positive significant effect on the quality of financial reporting.
 Recommendation: It was concluded that compliance with IPSASs improve quality of Financial reporting and thus recommended that to improve the quality of financial reporting, the quality of corporate governance should be improved upon since this have direct positive effect on the quality of financial reporting in the sector

Fraud Prevention Strategies: An Integrative Approach on the Role of Forensic Accounting

This study examined the role that forensic accounting play in aiding the success of fraud prevention strategies in combating frauds at both corporate and national levels. The study adopted the exploratory research design methodology involving extensive review of published articles, periodicals and other materials relevant to the subject matter. The study found that while the use and deployment of forensic accounting tools and techniques have made appreciable progress in the developed world, its appreciation and usage in emerging economies is still at the embryonic stage due to lack of political will, poor ethical tone set by management and dearth of skilled forensic accounting professionals. It therefore recommended that to ensure sustainable success of fraud prevention strategies, management of both public sector and corporate entities should demonstrate the needed political will and set the right ethical tone at the top through their actions and activities. Similarly, efforts should be made to continually upskill anti-fraud staffs (internal audit, forensic accountants, forensic investigators) through trainings and awareness programs on the latest fraud prevention methodologies. Also, that in view of the rising cases of cybercrimes, nation states should urgently consider the signing and implementation of legal treaties and frameworks to combat the scourge.

Data Envelopment Analysis in the Assessment of the Efficiency of Local Government Units: The Case of LAG Walczak“Polcentrum”

Purpose: The main aim of this paper is to examine the performance in terms of efficiency of six Polish municipalities associated in Local Action Group (LAG) “Polcentrum” with the use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. Design/methodology/approach: Despite the specific character of their activities, municipalities are subject to the same assessment in terms of effectiveness and efficiency as private for-profit organizations. However, there are some differences between public and private sector entities with this respect. Helpful in such an issue can be DEA, which is a method especially suitable for the assessment of the efficiency of non-profit organizations, including local government units. Findings: Our analysis allows for concluding that the studied municipalities perform in fact quite uniformly in terms of their efficiency. Therefore, such results are in favor of the statement that due to close cooperation the units may become more homogeneous in terms of performance. Research limitations/implications: The employed DEA method does not allow for concluding whether this unification is associated with improvement in all the units. What needs to be strongly emphasized is that DEA calculates the “relative” efficiency, so it can show how well a given unit is doing when compared to other peer units, but not compared to a “theoretical maximum”. Originality/value: What distinguishes this study is that the administrative units under investigation are very closely related in terms of geographic location, but also in terms of extensive cooperation in LAG. On this basis, we pose a research question of whether such a close relationship translates into a similarity in terms of their performance.

Public sector accountability: do leadership practices, integrity and internal control systems matter?

PurposeThe study explores the current public sector accountability practices in sub-Saharan African region. Specifically, this study assesses whether accountability is related to integrity, internal control system and leadership in the public sector of a developing country.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation model (SEM) is used to predict the drivers of public accountability in a developing country. A survey design with quantitative analysis is used to analyze responses from directors or heads of agencies or departments in the ministries of a developing country.FindingsThe result shows that integrity, internal control and leadership practices positively and significantly impact public accountability. These findings suggest that public accountability in the developing economic context is a function of these aforementioned factors to ensure efficient public sector accountability and governance. The findings could assist policymakers in Sub-Saharan African country to enhance accountability among different departments and agencies of government.Originality/valueThis study makes an important contribution by providing evidence of drivers of public accountability from the perspective of public sector entities in Sub-Saharan African country, to complement the extant literature that has focused largely on developed economies

How business strategy drives human resource practices in small and medium enterprises? Evidence from Pakistani autoparts industry

PurposeIn large enterprises, the notion is that an organization’s business strategy is a significant determinant of its human resource (HR) practices. However, there is limited evidence in the literature of such linkages for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature and extent of the relationship between the types of business strategies used and HR practices, namely, staffing, training and employee relations among SMEs.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have collected data from 168 SMEs manufacturing autoparts and purposively chosen three SME case studies to derive in-depth observations of business strategies and HR practices. Quantitative results from the survey indicate that these SMEs exhibit a logical relationship between the strategic posture of the SMEs and their adopted HR practices.FindingsThis study illustrates that SMEs operating in the risky and lesser developed labor markets of a lower-income country such as Pakistan adopt certain practices that differ considerably from firms operating in more competitive automotive markets using highly skilled labor. The findings suggest that there is a significant potential to be realized through strategically managing HR practices to achieve sustainable competitive advantage.Practical implicationsEducation of supervisors and management and suitable skill level of labor in tandem with continuous cutting edge industrial training appear to be the most successful business strategy followed by Prospector and Analyzer SMEs. For greater efficiency they need to have dedicated HR management, and financial and auditing services. Meanwhile, public sector entities as well as representative business bodies need to provide targeted practical technical and financial training and assistance to strengthen Defender and Reactor SMEs and improve their range of outputs.Originality/valueThis study contributed to the SMEs’ management literature in the context of Pakistan because there are very few studies that have examined the impact of business strategy on the HR practices in SMEs manufacturing autoparts in the automotive industry of Pakistan. The case study approach captures detailed insights and identifies the areas where the SMEs in developing countries perform differently than the SMEs in developed countries.

Innovation readiness in public sector service delivery: an exploration

We set out in this study to examine the mechanisms (specific knowledge management practices) required to operationalize service innovation readiness within public sector service delivery. Data is obtained from 150 service delivery managers drawn from public sector service organizations within the emirate of Sharjah. Sampling is undertaking utilizing a 38 factor knowledge management-focussed service innovation readiness questionnaire developed from the literature. Analysis of the data is via variable ranking and multidimensional scaling (MDS). The findings of the study suggest the existence of four knowledge management-based imperatives which are construed as managerial mechanisms for public sector service innovation readiness. These are (i) ‘Knowledge core competence’ (knowledge as a key strategic asset) (ii) ‘Organizational structure’ (internal patterns of organizational communication, authority and relationships) (iii) ‘Responsiveness to change’ (propensity to engage in both purposeful and timely behavioural change in response to modulating stimuli), and (iv) ‘Innovativeness’ (relative earliness in adopting innovation). The findings lead to a service innovation readiness typology which is oriented towards ensuring that public sector entities are able to effectively and efficiently deliver innovative services that meet both operational mandates and national visions of service expectations.

Strategic Management and Crises Management as the Main Pillars of Recovery in the International Tourism and Civil Aviation Transport

Abstract Tourism and air transport are among the sectors most affected by the covid-19 crisis. The pandemic lasting almost two years has been reflected in short-term effects in both sectors, but there are also serious long-term consequences including the impact on quantitative and qualitative employment change. National authorities will have to set recovery plans in accordance with the relevant policies and in international cooperation with public and private entities. The aim of the paper is to identify a set of strategic and crises measures to recover the international tourism and international civil aviation transport in the context of the long-term human resource management and the optimisation of future quality and quantity of human resources in both mentioned sectors. These strategic recommendations are intended for application in national tourism and transport policies. The methodology of the paper is based on current statistical data and strategic documents at the national and international level represented by the international organisations (esp. UNWTO, WTTC, IATA, ICAO, ECAC). Attention is focused on crises management of the public sector entities in terms of the definition and implementation of reconstruction strategies, on private sector stakeholders, on the interconnection of the tourism and air transport sectors, as well as cooperation in the international environment. Methods and tools for the renewal of both sectors are based on a strategic approach of the public sector, support for the introduction of new business models in the private sector, change in the product and marketing mix, digitization, innovation and education.

Examining the critical factors of computer-assisted audit tools and techniques adoption in the post-COVID-19 period: internal auditors perspective

PurposeIn light of the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, electronic auditing otherwise known as computer-assisted audit tools and techniques (CAATTs) has become inevitable to automate the auditing process worldwide. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to examine the influence of technological, organizational and environmental (TOE) factors on public sector adoption of CAATTs in developing countries such as Jordan under the COVID-19 pandemic conditions.Design/methodology/approachThis study used 136 usable responses from the managers of internal audit (IA) of the Jordanian public sector entities. The data collected were analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling. The TOE framework has been used in this study to consider a wide set of TOE factors. Then, this study suggests a CAATTs adoption model that incorporates the related technology factors of the diffusion of innovation theory to environmental and organizational factors. Further, this study contributes to the TOE framework by addressing government regulations, audit bodies’ support and audit task complexity as environmental factors affecting CAATTs adoption in the context of the public sector.FindingsThe results revealed that for technological factors, only the compatibility affects CAATTs adoption by the IA departments. For organizational factors, organizational readiness, top management support, auditors’ information technology competency and entity size were found to be significant factors. From the environmental factors, both government regulation and audit task complexity influence the CAATTs adoption. Besides, entity size moderates the influence of top management support on the CAATTs adoption in the public sector.Practical implicationsThe findings could highlight the significance of the CAATTs adoption in the public sector institutions (by internal auditors) post-COVID-19, taking into consideration the TOE framework’s factors. Also, the findings are significant for the decision-makers and regulators in declaring new legislation for the electronic IA profession in the Jordanian public sector.Social implicationsIt turns out that the CAATTs adoption in the public sector can definitely enhance their ability to achieve the role of IA in preserving public funds and restricting corrupt practices within the public sector.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first studies that address the professional audit agency support and audit task complexity as environmental factors, as well as the entity size as an organizational factor, that affect CAATTs adoption in the IA department of the public sector.

Застосування МСФЗ суб’єктами державного сектору економіки: законодавче регулювання операцій з основними засобами

The article is dedicated to the issues of IFRS applied by public sector entities related to property, plant and equipment use as regard to their recognition, depreciation and derecognition. Specifying the general issue, our attention was focused on a certain range of aspects which are acquiring more and more importance in the activity of such kind of economic entities at both conceptual and action-oriented levels. A special consideration is given to some most challenging issues. Primarily, professional judgments implementation was required with the aim to select and apply accounting policy for assets obtained by state enterprises under the rights of economic management and permanent use which are specific legal regimes in post-Soviet countries. In its turn, it’s necessary to walk a line between IFRS and legislative acts of Ukraine’s requirements for addressing another issue concerning physically damaged, obsolescent, inoperable as a result of force-major without economic sense of recovery non-current assets derecognition. By means of applying a comparative analysis methodology, key differences regarding requirements towards depreciation policy of IAS 16 rules and National Accounting Standards 7 are discovered as well as its application by some public sector entities. It is discursive key components of property, plant and equipment depreciation policy with variable part which is being chosen voluntary by enterprise, namely, a depreciation method, useful life as well as salvage value. Having discovered the essence as well as advantages and disadvantages of key depreciation methods introduced by the above mentioned IAS, the dominant trends are revealed not just in Ukraine but in other countries including economically developed ones regarding, in particular, accelerated depreciation. Such kind of methods can be applied as an instrument of the state policy in the field of property, plant and equipment administration with the aim to accelerate their renovation and improve efficiency of performance . For further development above mentioned aspects, the consolidated approach in respect to property, plant and equipment decommission due to maintenance, modernization, modification, reconstruction or conservation through the prism of IFRS provisions and imperative rules of tax legislation of Ukraine is presented.

Coriell Life Sciences: empowering the most precise medical care for a healthier world.

Since its founding in 2013, Coriell Life Sciences (CLS) has built technologies leveraging genetic testing to empower physicians and has invested in research that advances the field of personalized medicine. The company focuses on development, implementationand research with expertise in medication safety, pharmacogenomics, infectious diseasesand healthcare analytics. CLS works with healthcare institutions, laboratories, pharmacy benefit management companies, self-insured employers andpublic sector entities and actively contributes to scientific and clinical consortia. This overview summarizes the CLS service architecture and delivery capabilities for medication safety and risk reporting for pharmacogenomics, comprehensive medication management and infectious diseases. It includes the development and ongoing curation of genetic and non-genetic knowledge repositories, technology infrastructure and endpoints andresearch endeavors and it reviews economic, clinical and humanistic outcomes of CLS' pharmacogenomics-enriched comprehensive management program.

Closing the global vaccine equity gap: equitably distributed manufacturing

Closing the global vaccine equity gap: equitably distributed manufacturing

Board Gender Diversity in Maltese Equity-Listed and Large Public Sector Entities**

Board Gender Diversity in Maltese Equity-Listed and Large Public Sector Entities**

Impacts of Workplace Factors on Employee Engagement in the Public Sector

Abstract Employees are an integral part of any organization because of the value they bring, and how they help the organization achieve its goals. Yet, the percentage of employees who are passionate about their jobs and the overall goal of the organization where they work remains in the minority. While workplace factors tend to play a role in determining the extent to which employees are engaged, actively engaged or unengaged, the direct impact on employee engagement remains vague. This paper presents the outcome of a study conducted which evaluates the impact of workplace factors on employee engagement in public sector entity. An online questionnaire was completed by 120 employees of one of UAE public sector entities. Participants were selected through random sampling to ensure fair representation. The primary data was analyzed using structural paths analysis to determine the direct effects of workplace experience as well as workplace conditions on Employee Engagement respectively. The findings indicate that workplace conditions positively influence employee engagement in the public sector entity, while the impact of workplace experience is negative and unsupported in the UAE public entity examined. The implication of these findings is that public sector entities such as the one examined is able to determine the workplace factor to prioritise for sustaining engagement of its employees in order to increase engagement level. This study advances organizational studies in general, particularly the field of employee engagement. The result helps to empirically verify the positive influence of workplace factors such as clarity of work, opportunities at work and support from managers on employee engagement.

Constraining context: Situating datafication in public administration

The imaginary of data-driven public administration promises a more effective and knowing public sector. At the same time, corporate practices of datafication are often hidden behind closed doors. Critical algorithm studies, therefore, struggle to access and explore these practices, to produce situated accounts of datafication and possible entry points to reconfigure the emerging data-driven society. This article offers a unique empirical account of the inner workings of data-driven public administration, asking the overall question of how sociotechnical imaginaries of datafication are constrained in the context of public administration. Teams working on datafication in two Norwegian public sector entities have been followed and interviewed over the course of 2 years (2018–2020). While sociotechnical imaginaries thrive in organizational culture and policy discourse alike, the observed data teams struggle to realize data assemblages due to a variety of structural and institutional constraints.

Overhead Grants’ Usage and Educational Institutions in Nigeria: Data Envelopment Analysis Perspective

This study appraised the utilization of overhead grants’ efficiency among federal educational institutions in Nigeria between2011-2019. Data for the study were sourced from the Annual Audited Financial Statements of the public sector entities. The sampled size for the study comprised (25) federal educational institutions out of 69 federal educational institutions drawn across the country among four (4) geo-political zones. Data were analyzed using Data Envelopment Analysis. The results of the average efficiency scores from both CCR and BBC models showed that the entities were averagely efficient in overhead grants’ utilization. Overall results showed that federal educational institutions have high capacity to absorb sufficient overhead grants from the center. The study therefore concluded that there is need for an improved overhead grants releases to the federal educational institutions to achieve effective service deliveries of their core mandates. The study recommended a continuous assessment and periodic appraisal of the overhead grants’ utilization among the institutions by their supervising ministry to achieve full efficiency.