Research is essential in public administration, supporting evidence-based policy making and effective service delivery. Despite its significance, integrating research into governance remains inconsistent, often leading to subpar policies and limited effects on service outcomes. While previous studies have explored evidence use in policy or service delivery, few have examined how research informs both areas comprehensively, especially in the South African context. Hence, this study aims to examine evidence-based research in public administration, with a focus on its role in policy-making and service delivery. Adopting an interpretivist approach and qualitative design, the study uses desktop data from published documents relevant to the subject. Guided by the Evidence-Based Policy (EBP) framework, the review systematically combines studies from published reports and journals, providing a context-specific and integrated view not covered in earlier reviews. Content and thematic analyses identified patterns in research utilization, theoretical connections, and interpretive insights on accountability and participatory governance. Findings indicate that research enhances informed decision-making, uncovers service gaps, supports transparency and accountability, and encourages citizen participation, although political interference, limited capacity, and resource constraints limit its impact. Despite the limited availability of rigorous, up-to-date studies, the depth of this review is restricted, underscoring the need for stronger evidence to inform public sector policy and service delivery. The study recommends institutionalizing research integration, boosting capacity, and adopting participatory approaches to maximize evidence use. This review contributes to the literature by offering a comprehensive, evidence-based understanding of research’s strategic role in promoting the use of evidence in policy development and service delivery.

Background: State-owned enterprises (SOEs) occupy a unique and critical position within the American economic landscape, operating at federal, state, and municipal levels while balancing multiple and often conflicting objectives including commercial sustainability, public service delivery, social responsibility, and political accountability ((Shleifer &Vishny, 1997). Unlike private corporations driven primarily by shareholder wealth maximization, U.S. SOEs function within a complex regulatory and political framework that demands governance structures capable of reconciling profitability with service equity, efficiency with accessibility, and financial sustainability with social benefit(OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises, 2015). The United States operates a decentralized system of SOEs that differs fundamentally from centralized national SOE systems found in many countries, with diverse governance arrangements established through federal legislation, state statutes, local ordinances, and individual organizational charters. This fragmented governance landscape creates both substantial challenges and significant opportunities for governance effectiveness, yet limited research exists examining the specific governance-performance relationship in U.S. SOEs compared to international enterprises or private corporations. Aims: To examine the relationship between corporate governance and financial performance in U.S. state-owned enterprises, identify best practices across diverse SOE contexts, and provide practical recommendations for improving governance and performance. This study addresses a key gap in the literature by analyzing governance mechanisms and offering actionable strategies for enhancing governance in the U.S. SOE context. Study Design: This research employs a systematic literature review and synthesis of corporate governance frameworks applied to U.S. SOEs, supplemented by comparative analysis of governance structures across federal, state, and municipal enterprises operating in diverse sectors including transportation, utilities, pension systems, and development finance. The analysis examines SOE governance practices across U.S. federal and state-level enterprises. Results: Strong empirical evidence indicates that effective governance structures characterized by board independence, functional diversity, robust oversight committees, and appropriate stakeholder engagement correlate positively with improved financial performance in U.S. SOEs (Publication: Effects of Corporate Governance on the Performance of State-Owned Enterprises, n.d.). Key findings show that SOEs with strong governance achieve greater operational efficiency, lower fraud incidence, and higher stakeholder confidence. Independent audit committees reduce financial misstatements, while boards with strong independence detect fraud faster than management-dominated boards. Despite these gains, challenges remain, including political influence, conflicting objectives, and resource constraints that limit governance investment. Political influence on SOE decision-making reduces financial performance, while organizations experiencing frequent board turnover due to political cycles show higher operational costs (Kuzman et al., 2018). Conclusion: Although U.S. SOE governance has strengthened since the 2008 financial crisis, continued focus on board independence, transparency, and accountability is essential to sustain and improve financial performance. Implementing best practices such as formal governance frameworks, regular board evaluations, performance-based compensation, comprehensive risk management, and ongoing training can significantly enhance SOE effectiveness and public value creation across diverse contexts. The transition to Audit 5.0 within governance frameworks emphasizes human-technology collaboration, continuous assurance, and ethical oversight as core pillars of modern assurance practices in SOE governance (Tavares et al., 2025).

This essay contends that the current crisis in US public administration is the continuation of long term trends that have permanently altered the practice of public administration. Three trends are identified: (1) the breakdown of the symbiotic relationship between politics and administration with the resulting politicization of the administrative process, (2) the disruption of the budget cycle, and (3) the eroding of bureaucratic capacity to implement effective programs. The result is the creation of permanent crises affecting large areas of public service delivery at federal, state, and local levels. The essay then outlines a set of topics that academic public administration needs to address and links these topics to changes in public administration curriculum in three areas: politics and administration (or democratic governance), adapting to the new budgeting uncertainty, and management of low capacity organizations in continual crises.

The high spread of rabies in Malaka Regency has raised concerns among the people of Malaka, including communities in Timor Leste that directly border the regency. Information about the spread of this disease has not been openly disseminated to the public due to the absence of a system capable of accommodating such needs. To address this problem, it is necessary to develop a Geographic Information System (GIS) for mapping rabies cases in the Indonesia - Timor Leste border area. The system is developed as a web-based platform, enhancing accessibility by enabling residents to retrieve information from any location with internet access. The project was carried out in three primary phases: preparation, deployment, and testing and evaluation. The development and implementation of the system were completed successfully. The findings indicate that the developed system functions effectively as an information tool for the community. Evaluation results demonstrate that it successfully provides accessible and reliable data on rabies cases in Malaka and nearby areas, including bordering districts in Timor Leste. The system achieved an average acceptance score of 4.64, reflecting a generally positive response from users. Overall, the web-based GIS proves to be a practical and efficient solution for improving the delivery and impact of public health information services.

Budget absorption remains a critical issue in public sector financial management, particularly within regional government agencies in Indonesia. One persistent challenge is the uneven pattern of budget realization, which tends to be low at the beginning of the fiscal year and accumulates toward the end, potentially disrupting public service delivery and program effectiveness. This research examines the influence of budget planning, human resource competency, and budget implementation processes on the optimization of budget absorption. The study was conducted at the Social Service Office of Central Java Province. The research objects included the planning, finance, and technical implementation departments. The sampling method used was purposive sampling, with the research period set for 2025. The relationships and influences among variables were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The results showed that budget implementation had a significant and positive effect on budget absorption, while budget planning and human resource competency did not show a significant effect. The study concludes that strengthening the budget execution stage—including accelerating administrative processes and enhancing coordination among work units—is essential to improve budget absorption performance. These findings provide valuable insights for regional governments in designing more effective budget management strategies to support public service delivery and community welfare.

The study examined the effect of employee commitment on organizational performance in public health service delivery in Accra, Ghana, against the backdrop of persistent resource constraints and service delivery challenges within the public health sector. Anchored in organizational commitment theory, the study adopted a quantitative research design to assess how affective, continuance, and normative commitment influenced key performance indicators, including service efficiency, quality of care, employee productivity, adherence to protocols, and patient satisfaction. Data were collected from 65 employees in five selected public health institutions using structured questionnaires. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to ensure representation across employee categories and facility types. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics and inferential techniques to determine the strength and direction of relationships between employee commitment and organizational performance. The findings revealed that higher levels of employee commitment were significantly associated with improved organizational performance, particularly in terms of service efficiency, teamwork, accountability, and quality of care delivery. In addition, the study found that supportive leadership practices and access to professional development opportunities significantly strengthened employee commitment, thereby indirectly enhancing organizational performance outcomes. The study concluded that employee commitment constitutes a critical driver of effective public health service delivery and organizational effectiveness. Consequently, the study provides empirical evidence to inform policy and managerial decisions, emphasizing the need for targeted human resource strategies, leadership development, and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen employee commitment and achieve sustainable improvements in public health service delivery in Ghana.

Urban diversity has intensified the importance of local governments in translating multicultural principles into concrete governance practices. This study aims to examine how local government policies shape and implement multiculturalism in Medan City, one of Indonesia’s most ethnically and religiously diverse urban centers. Using a qualitative case study design, the research draws on policy document analysis and semi-structured interviews with local government officials involved in social, cultural, and community affairs. The methodology enables an in-depth exploration of policy frameworks, institutional roles, and implementation mechanisms related to multicultural governance. The findings show that multiculturalism in Medan City is formally articulated through policy discourses of social harmony, tolerance, and inclusion, yet implemented in a largely pragmatic and sectoral manner. Multicultural practices are most visible in public service delivery, particularly in education and community-based programs, which contribute to everyday intergroup interaction and local social cohesion. However, implementation remains uneven due to fragmented coordination, limited resources, and varying institutional interpretations that prioritize social stability over cultural recognition. Overall, the study highlights that multiculturalism at the local level operates as an incremental governance practice rather than a comprehensive policy regime. These findings underscore the critical role of local governments in mediating diversity and offer insights for strengthening inclusive urban governance in plural societies.

Background: State-owned enterprises (SOEs) continue to play a critical role in public service delivery and economic development across many countries. But their performance is often constrained by weaknesses in board composition and governance. In South Africa, sustained under performance at several SOEs has been linked to the appointment of directors who lack adequate financial expertise, governance competence, ethical leadership and sector-specific knowledge required for effective oversight. Aim: This article re-centres the governance reform debate on the professionalisation of SOE boards. It proposes a skills and qualifications matrix as a structural mechanism for embedding competence, accountability and sector-specific expertise into board appointment processes. Setting: The review draws primarily on South African governance reform experiences, with insights applicable to state-led governance systems in emerging economies undergoing institutional restructuring. Methods: A thematic review of governance literature, policy documents and professional body frameworks was conducted, with particular attention to post-State Capture reform agendas. Normative governance principles, regulatory gaps and institutional case evidence were synthesised to develop a pragmatic reform framework. Results: The review identifies a persistent disconnect between current appointment practices and the technical demands of SOE governance. It demonstrates that the inclusion of certified professionals such as chartered accountants, ethics and compliance practitioners, and sector-specific experts can strengthen board integrity, oversight and public trust when supported by enabling legal and institutional reforms. Conclusion: The proposed skills and qualifications matrix offers a practical tool for promoting merit-based, accountable and professional SOE board appointments. Contribution: The article advances a governance-centred, politically informed framework for reforming SOEs in South Africa and comparable contexts where politicised appointments undermine public value.

Between bytes, being, and the bridging of boundaries: the human dimension of policy capacity in rural Indonesia’s digital public service delivery

Recent Executive Orders from the Trump Administration have called for review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its effectiveness in serving the nation in matters of disaster response. These orders and political rhetoric have raised concerns, specifically the Presidential consideration of decentralizing FEMA and placing the responsibility of a significant amount of critical services on the state. Reflecting on historical efforts to cull other federal agencies’ and their regulatory abilities, as well as how this supported the theory of a ‘race to the bottom’, we explore this theory in the emergency management context, a lacuna in existing scholarship. We offer an overview of FEMA and major shifts during its existence, a historical insight to a previous administration’s decentralization of a federal agency, the FEMA funding mechanisms and impacts of decentralization, as well as thoughts on a more reflective evolution of the agency to be more effective. We situate this issue with the Race to the Bottom Theory, highlighting that based on a historical exemplar and FEMA’s current charges, decentralization of FEMA will inevitably lead to increased vulnerabilities to hazards for those states that do not have the capacity or proactive measures to protect their constituents.

Public service delivery in taxation is a vital function of government in fulfilling citizens' administrative rights, particularly through the issuance of the Taxpayer Identification Number (NPWP). The quality of this service directly influences taxpayer satisfaction, understanding, and trust in tax institutions. This study aims to analyze the quality of public service in NPWP issuance at the Primary Tax Office (KPP Pratama) of Dumai City and to identify supporting and inhibiting factors affecting service implementation. This research employed a descriptive qualitative approach. Data were collected through observations, in-depth interviews with tax officers and taxpayers, and documentation studies. Data analysis was conducted using an interactive model consisting of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The assessment of service quality was based on the SERVQUAL framework developed by Zeithaml and Parasuraman, encompassing five dimensions: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. The results show that NPWP issuance services at KPP Pratama Dumai City are generally well implemented. Adequate facilities, adherence to standard operating procedures, responsive officers, data security assurance, and courteous service attitudes support service quality. However, challenges remain, particularly related to limited waiting room capacity during peak periods, varying levels of taxpayer understanding, and the need for clearer procedural information. Continuous improvement in communication, service management, and capacity planning is required to enhance public service quality.

Administrative presidency, which implies the use of presidential unilateral power to control bureaucracy, has emerged as an important instrument for presidential control over public service. In developing countries, the presidents have applied this strategy to expand their influence and control the quality of public service delivery. Nevertheless, these efforts have not yielded the expected results. Corruption and ethical practices are major obstacles limiting bureaucratic responsiveness to presidential priorities. This article investigates the current instruments for presidential control over public service in Tanzania and the way the context-specific factors, such as reorganisation of public service institutions and the change of rules, regulations and performance management systems, influence the power of the president to control the public service. The article employed a qualitative approach with conceptual and relational content analysis of government policy, guidelines, research reports, audit reports, and public service organisations to establish how politicisation and centralisation of bureaucracy are used to control public servants and the influence of institutional and reorganizational reforms on the president's power to oversee the public service in Tanzania. The findings suggest that different tools, such as appointments and removal of public officials from office, together with centralisation of power to the president’s office, are used by the president to control the behaviour of public servants, but also different institutional reforms engineered by President Samia and her administration influence the presidential power on public service control.

Purpose: This study investigates the influence of management support on implementing internal audit recommendations in local government authorities, focusing on Dodoma City Council in Tanzania. Design/Methodology/Approach: An explanatory research design is employed with a random selection of 222 employees from different departments in the council. The information was gathered through a survey questionnaire and analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics, including multiple linear regression. Findings: Weaknesses in internal controls led to limited implementation of internal audit recommendations. The level of managerial support (including resource allocation, the integration of internal audit projects into the strategic plan, and the use of training and capacity-building) accounts for 83.4% of the variability in effective implementation of internal audit recommendations. Research Limitation: The research was conducted in a single LGA in Tanzania, Dodoma City Council, which may limit the generalisability of the findings to other LGAs in Tanzania. Practical Implication: Regular reviews of progress on implementing audit recommendations and providing guidance to management on addressing challenges are essential. Clear protocols for following up on internal audit recommendations should be developed. Social Implication: Enhancing the effectiveness of internal audit functions in local government authorities can improve public service delivery, accountability, and transparency in a decentralised governance system. Originality/Value: This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of internal audit processes in local government authorities. The findings highlight the critical role of managerial support in allocating resources and training for the successful implementation of internal audit recommendations.

Public service is a key aspect of government performance that directly affects community satisfac-tion. This study examines the quality of public service at the Bumi Ayu Subdistrict Office in Dumai Selatan, Dumai City, using five dimensions: reliability, responsiveness, empathy, tangibles, and as-surance. Data were collected through observation, interviews with two informants (one official and one service user), and document review. The findings indicate that public services are general-ly effective. Staff demonstrate adequate reliability and responsiveness, show empathy in serving the community, provide sufficient facilities to support service activities, and foster public trust through professional conduct. Supporting factors include well-organized service procedures, ade-quate infrastructure, and attentive staff, while limitations involve dependency on the subdistrict head for document approval, limited staff during peak hours, and some facility constraints. The study highlights the need to improve service timeliness, increase staff availability, and improve fa-cilities to optimize public service delivery.

Digital government constitutes a central pillar of Vietnam’s national digital transformation agenda, aimed at improving transparency, administrative efficiency, and citizen-centred public service delivery. However, the rapid expansion of digital services has not been accompanied by sufficiently robust analytical frameworks for assessing institutional maturity, particularly at the subnational level. This study seeks to evaluate the current maturity of digital government in Vietnam and to identify the legal and institutional constraints that impede the transition from conventional e-government toward an integrated, data-driven digital government model. To achieve these aims, the research adopts a qualitative and comparative approach. It applies the five-stage e-government development model as an analytical framework, combined with systematic analysis of legal instruments, policy documents, and secondary empirical sources. This integrated method enables an assessment of both functional implementation and underlying regulatory capacity. The findings indicate that Vietnam has largely completed the stages of information provision, interaction, and transaction. Nevertheless, progress toward integration remains uneven. Persistent challenges include fragmented data governance, limited interoperability among public agencies, inconsistent legal recognition of electronic records, and weak coordination mechanisms, issues that have been further accentuated by the transition to a two-tier local government system. The study concludes that advancement toward a mature digital government requires not only technological upgrades but also coherent legal reform. Specially, strengthening data governance frameworks, establishing enforceable interoperability standards, and introducing legal performance indicators are essential to ensuring accountability, sustainability, and effective policy implementation in the next phase of digital transformation.

Purpose This study aims to analyze the collaborative dynamics of the integrated public service delivery model in Minas Gerais, Brazil, examining how interorganizational relationships, governance arrangements and coordination mechanisms shape collaborative performance in a hybrid, multilevel context. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study was conducted using document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key actors involved in the management and operation of the Unidades de Atendimento Integrado system. The data were analyzed through thematic content analysis and interpreted using Ferolla and Passador (2014) framework, which evaluates collaboration across three dimensions: participation, representativeness and publicization. Findings Findings show that, despite the existence of formal coordination mechanisms and hybrid governance structures, collaborative performance remains limited. Excessive centralization, rigid standardization, fragmented accountability chains and the absence of deliberative and participatory processes undermine horizontal collaboration and restrict frontline autonomy. As a result, the collaborative potential of integrated service centers is only partially realized. Research limitations/implications Although limited to a single case, the findings identify mechanisms that are likely to appear in similar integrated service models, especially those operating in multilevel governance settings. Future studies may compare alternative models across regions or countries. Practical implications The results underscore the need for clearer accountability structures, shared performance indicators, strengthened interorganizational coordination routines and expanded discretion for frontline managers. Establishing participatory channels and reducing excessive centralization can enhance collaborative performance and improve service outcomes. Social implications Strengthening collaboration in integrated citizen service centers can improve accessibility, reduce bureaucratic barriers, enhance responsiveness and build public trust in state institutions. Originality/value This study advances the literature on collaborative governance by examining an underrepresented territorial context and demonstrating that formal integration and hybrid governance arrangements do not guarantee effective collaboration. It highlights the enabling conditions – shared authority, mutual trust and participatory structures – required for integrated service delivery to generate collaborative capacity and public value.

This study aims to analyze the influence of facilities and infrastructure on public service delivery at the Salahutu Sector Police Office, Central Maluku Regency. A quantitative approach with a survey method was employed. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to all personnel of the Salahutu Police Sector as respondents. The research instruments were developed based on indicators of facilities and infrastructure and service quality, and the data were analyzed using simple linear regression. The results indicate that facilities and infrastructure have a significant influence on the quality of public services. Adequate and well-managed facilities support work effectiveness and enhance the professionalism of service delivery within the police institution. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening facilities and infrastructure as a strategic effort to improve police service quality, particularly in areas with diverse geographical and social characteristics.

Local government debt has increasingly become a critical challenge for fiscal sustainability and the effective delivery of public services in Zambia. This paper undertakes aanalytical desk review of Local Government Public Debt in Zambia: Risk and Strategic Management Approaches. The review is guided by three objectives which are to evaluate the nature, scale, and composition of public debt among 116 local authorities in Zambia; to analyze the associated fiscal and economic risks of public debt at the local government level in Zambia, and recommend strategic management approaches aimed at enhancing debt sustainability and improving delivery of local services. The study is based on desk review which entailed a systematic and critical examination of national policy documents and official government reports related and /or incidental to the subject matter. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, quantitative analysis was used to examine trends and patterns in debt accumulation, while qualitative assessment captured contextual and institutional factors influencing debt management. The key findings revealed that public debt among 116 local authorities in Zambia is predominantly arrears-based rather than driven by formal borrowing, a substantial escalation in the scale of debt and arrears over the three-year period, with total verified obligations increasing from ZMW 4.38 billion in June 2022 to ZMW 5.86 billion by June 2025, representing a 33.86% rise. The findings indicate that arrears are not confined to a single expenditure category but are widespread across operational, statutory, and development-related obligations, underscoring the systemic nature of fiscal stress within local authorities. Statutory obligations, personnel-related arrears, and unpaid supplier and contractor liabilities constitute the largest components of local government debt, with urban and economically active councils generally exhibiting higher debt levels than rural councils. The analysis further established that the current structure of local government debt poses significant fiscal and economic risks. Rising statutory penalties and interest charges are eroding already constrained fiscal space, limiting resources available for service delivery and development expenditure. Increasing utility arrears heighten the risk of service disruptions and create contingent liabilities, while arrears to suppliers and contractors impose liquidity constraints on the local private sector, raise procurement costs, and weaken local economic activity. The reliance on arrears as an implicit financing mechanism undermines budget credibility and fiscal transparency, reinforcing a cycle of fiscal fragility at the local government level. Arising from the study’s findings, the study recommends several strategic management approaches to enhance debt sustainability, including debt restructuring, liquidation plans, strengthening revenue mobilization, budgetary controls, and institutionalized monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Further, aligning recruitment and payroll policies with fiscal capacity and engaging with credit rating agencies can improve the financial credibility and borrowing capacity of local authorities. This study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of local government debt in Zambia, highlighting both its structural drivers and systemic risks. The findings have important policy implications, informing the design of debt management strategies, enhancing fiscal discipline, improving local service delivery, and supporting the broader decentralization agenda in Zambia

The rapid evolution of digital technologies has reshaped public service delivery worldwide, with government agencies adopting digital platforms to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. In the Philippines, the Social Security System (SSS) has embraced digital transformation in response to legislative mandates such as the Ease of Doing Business Act (RA 11032) and rising public expectations. This study focuses on the SSS Diliman Branch, examining how its digital initiatives, including the My.SSS portal, mobile application, and E-Center facilities, affect service quality and customer satisfaction. A quantitative research design was employed, combining descriptive-evaluative and causal approaches. Data were collected through a structured survey administered to 385 randomly selected members transacting at the Diliman E-Center in January 2025. The instrument measured service quality using the SERVQUAL framework (tangibility, reliability, assurance, empathy, responsiveness) and assessed digitalization and satisfaction on a five-point Likert scale. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to test direct and indirect relationships among service quality, digitalization, and customer satisfaction. Findings revealed consistently high ratings across all SERVQUAL dimensions, with assurance (M = 4.64) as the highest-rated factor, underscoring confidence in staff competence and system security. Digitalization assessment yielded strong satisfaction (overall M = 4.54), with ease of use (M = 4.56) and clarity of instructions (M = 4.58) as key strengths, though convenience (M = 4.51) showed minor access issues. Customer satisfaction was very high (overall M = 4.65), with respondents strongly agreeing that digital services improved their overall experience (M = 4.69) and expressing loyalty through recommendations (M = 4.67). Structural model testing confirmed that service quality significantly influenced both digitalization (β = 0.784, p = 0.000) and customer satisfaction (β = 0.844, p = 0.000). However, digitalization alone did not have a significant direct effect on satisfaction (β = 0.018, p = 0.784). The study demonstrates that while digitalization enhances accessibility, efficiency, and trust, customer satisfaction is primarily driven by service quality dimensions rather than digital tools alone. This suggests that technology must be complemented by reliable, empathetic, and competent service delivery to achieve meaningful improvements. The findings provide practical insights for SSS management in refining digital strategies and highlight the broader implications of digital governance reforms in the Philippine public sector.

ABSTRACT Coproduction is essential for effective public service delivery, yet research on citizen coproduction motivations remains fragmented without a comprehensive framework. This study systematically reviewed publications from the top-ranked public policy and administration journals and developed a novel SPIENM framework. The framework categorizes motivations across three dimensions: Self-centred vs. Public-centred, Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic, and Non-material vs. Material. This results in six categories: SIN, SEN, SEM, PIN, PEN, and PEM, offering unprecedented nuance in understanding coproduction motivations. The framework advances theoretical understanding of coproduction motivations, provides a structured approach for empirical research, and offers practical guidance for designing targeted citizen engagement strategies.