Public Provision Research Articles

An Empirical Study on the Impact of Local Financial Capacity on the Supply Efficiency of Ecological Public Goods

Improving the quality and level of ecological public goods supply is crucial for enhancing the public happiness index and ensuring ecological welfare. A high-quality ecological environment generates significant positive externalities, making the provision of such goods a key focus of government expenditure. The ability of local governments to adequately fund the supply of ecological public goods depends on the strength of their financial capacity. Based on the panel data of 30 provincial-level regions in China from 2007 to 2019, this paper uses the super-efficiency Slack-Based Measure (SBM) model and the dynamic Malmquist index to measure the supply efficiency of provincial-level regional ecological public goods including undesirable outputs. Furthermore, the panel Tobit model and the system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) model are used to empirically test the impact of local fiscal capacity on the supply efficiency of ecological public goods. The results show that fiscal absorption capacity can significantly improve the supply efficiency of ecological public goods, and the economic growth preference of fiscal allocation capacity can also significantly improve the supply efficiency of ecological public goods, indicating that under the influence of the current economic structure transformation and ecological civilization construction, the distortion of local governments in the supply of public goods has been improved, while the administrative consumption preference of fiscal allocation capacity hinders the improvement of the supply efficiency of ecological public goods, and the fiscal self-sufficiency has a lag in improving the supply efficiency of ecological public goods. Fiscal transfer payments have significantly improved the efficiency of the supply of ecological public goods.

Auspice and other policy-related variations in preschool practice in the United States: have public preschool programs been more academic?

We investigated the extent to which practices considered developmentally appropriate and inappropriate varied by preschool program auspice (private, public school, and Head Start). Survey data from a 2010 national sample of 2,664 teachers of 4-year-olds provided teacher reports on the frequency of seven practices (e.g., offering children choices of play activities, using flashcards and math worksheets), approach to teaching subject matter, and time spent in whole group activities. More than 90 percent of teachers in all auspices reported high frequencies of some developmentally appropriate practices (DAP). Yet, private program teachers reported less DAP, more use of flashcards and worksheets, and more whole group time per day than teachers in the two public sectors. Some but not all differences by auspice could be explained by differences in teacher and classroom characteristics by auspice. In the context of other studies indicating little change in practice since 2010, our results suggest that increased public provision of preschool education does not lead to “academization.” We identify several other issues related to curriculum and “instruction” in preschool education requiring increased attention from researchers and policymakers.

World Stroke Organisation (WSO): Global intracerebral haemorrhage factsheet 2025.

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is stroke caused by non-traumatic bleeding into the brain. Globally, stroke was the third-leading cause of death in 2021, and ICH accounted for 28.8% of incident strokes. There were estimated to be 7,252,678 deaths due to stroke in 2021 of which ICH accounted for 3,308,367 (45.6%). When considering the burden of ICH in terms of disability adjusted life years (DALYs), ICH accounts for nearly half of the burden of stroke at 49.5%, compared to 43.8% caused by ischaemic stroke. ICH must therefore be considered on an equal footing with ischaemic stroke, so that efforts can be made to reduce its burden through public health, research and healthcare provision. Although the overall age-standardised incidence of ICH has been decreasing since 1990, the rate of reduction has been much slower in regions with lower socio-demographic index (SDI). Most of the burden of ICH lies in areas with lower SDI, with 94.2% of DALYs lost to ICH outside areas of high SDI. Geographically, the majority of DALYs due to ICH occur in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania, with 53.3% of global DALYs lost in these regions alone. The risk factors for ICH are dominated by high systolic blood pressure, which accounts for at least 50% of the burden of ICH, regardless of SDI. Areas with middle or high-middle SDI have a greater proportion of the burden of ICH accounted for by ambient particulate pollution, smoking and diets high in sodium, whereas household air pollution from solid fuels accounts for much more of the risk of ICH in low SDI regions. This World Stroke Organisation (WSO) Global ICH Fact Sheet 2025 provides the most updated information on ICH that can be used to support communication with all internal and external stakeholders, inform healthcare policy, and raise public awareness. All statistics have been reviewed and approved for use by the WSO Executive Committee.

Modeling and Sensitivity Analysis to Determine Dominant Drivers of Increasing Radium Concentrations in Public Supply Wells, Southeast Wisconsin

Modeling and Sensitivity Analysis to Determine Dominant Drivers of Increasing Radium Concentrations in Public Supply Wells, Southeast Wisconsin

Street-level bureaucracy and Co-creation: towards theory synthesis and cross-fertilization

ABSTRACT Influencing individuals, local-publics, and the society at-large, direct-delivery interactions with officials during public services provision are at the heart of both street-level bureaucracy (SL) and co-creation (CC) literatures. Rooted in different traditions and using different terminologies, SL and CC offer complementary perspectives with different blind-spots. SL misses the inherent involvement of the client in direct-delivery, whereas CC overlooks contextual factors, including the existence of coercive delivery interactions in public services. Based on central differences between the literature streams, this theory synthesis suggests multiple ways for cross-fertilization that will allow future research to develop a more nuanced understanding of direct-delivery encounters.

Public and/or Private? Remedies Against the Different Decisions on Social Care Services in Hungary

Purpose: The paper examines the multi-layered remedy system in social care services in Hungary. It first analyses remedies related to the obligation of public service provision, especially remedies against normative tools for public service provision (such as decrees on fees and service standards) and the omission of duties by public bodies obliged to perform these services. A secondary focus is on remedies against the decisions and omissions by service provider institutions.Design and Approach: Hungarian legislation interprets social care services as legal relationships governed by private law with partial public law regulation. The public remedy against the decisions of the service providers is complaints, which are governed by sector-specific (public) regulations. The research examines the remedy system using legal study methods based on dogmatic analysis and involves an examination of judicial practice, namely Hungarian courts decisions on major public law remedies.Findings: Based on dogmatic and empirical analysis, the study reveals that Hungarian judicial practice has interpreted public law remedies, specifically complaints, in various ways. Following an amendment of legal regulation, the civil law-based interpretation now prevails. Although this practice has been consolidated, tensions can be observed, especially in the case of omissions.Practical implications: The paper suggests a legislative solution to mitigate these tensions, recommending that decisions establishing social care services be formalised as public decisions.Originality: The paper is based on a dogmatic analysis of the social care remedy system and, as a new element, contains an in-depth analysis of the Hungarian judicial practice on this issue.

Energizing Research at the Intersection of Public Policy and Supply Chain Resilience: A Systematic Review and Guiding Framework

ABSTRACTAcademic scholars and US political leaders have called for a better understanding of the connection between public policy and supply chain resilience. In this structured literature review we analyze and synthesize literature published in high‐quality public policy and business journals at this intersection. We leverage existing frameworks in public policy and supply chain resilience to help analyze the relationships studied to date, resulting in a conceptual framework that elucidates the connections between public policy and resilience and leads to the development of a platform for future research inquiries. We encourage and provide guidance for future work in the space from both supply chain management and public policy scholars that can drive actionable results for policymakers, firm decision‐makers, and the welfare of society.

Legislative influence on the decline of public toilet provision in the UK: a case study of Leeds city

ABSTRACT The provision of public toilets has declined in the UK, limiting citizens' ability to use public spaces and fully participate in society. This article investigates the legislative context of this decline by analysing the Public Health 1936, Section 87, which remains the principal legislation influencing public toilet provision. We use the Institutional Grammar Tool and a narrative case study of the history of public toilets in Leeds City Centre to unpack the weakening influence of the norm-driven policy on the provision of public toilets. We argue that changing notions of infrastructural citizenship in broader society have contributed to the abandonment of public toilets and an increasing reliance on private provision and individual independence, which are inherently more exclusionary. This article raises important questions about how fit-for-purpose the current UK public toilet policy is, and ends with a call for more robust legislation to promote greater infrastructural citizenship and ensure inclusive public spaces for all.

Can public health services promote the settlement intention of migrant workers: empirical analysis from China.

Enhancing migrant workers' settlement intention in cities requires ensuring they have equal public health rights as urban residents. Full access to public health services can strengthen their sense of belonging and improve the well-being of this vulnerable group. Evaluating the welfare impact of public health services from the perspective of city identification offers valuable insights and informs policies aimed at improving the quality of public health service provision. This study utilizes data from the 2017 China CMDS survey. We employed various analytical methods, including the Probit model, IV-Probit model, Propensity Score Matching, and KHB decomposition, to empirically examine the impact of public health services on the settlement intention of migrant workers. Additionally, we explored the underlying mechanisms and heterogeneity of this impact. Public health services such as health records management and public health education significantly increase the settlement intention of migrant workers. The positive effect of public health services on the settlement intention is more pronounced among migrant workers who have moved across provinces and those who are married. Public health services indirectly enhance the settlement intention by improving urban satisfaction and sense of belonging, with the latter having a more substantial indirect effect. The current provision of basic public health services in China for migrant workers still needs improvement. This highlights the necessity of enhancing health record management, increasing health education and training, and tailoring services to better meet the needs of migrant workers. By improving the supply of public health services, we can effectively raise migrant workers' urban satisfaction and sense of belonging, thereby indirectly increasing their willingness to settle in cities. The findings of this study contribute to further optimizing the implementation of public health service policies and provide meaningful guidance for improving the urban integration of migrant workers.

Absentee Landowners and their Impact: A Village-Level Study in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

This study investigates the implications of the rise of non-cultivating absentee landowning households within the agrarian economy. A primary survey was conducted across eight villages—four in Telangana and four in Andhra Pradesh—selected based on their irrigation sources, including canals, tube wells or tanks, while dry/rainfed villages were chosen based on rainfall, particularly in drought-affected areas. These selected villages represent a diverse range of agrarian structures seen in broader regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Absentee landowning households have become increasingly significant within the agrarian landscape of the study area. Their proportion is notable, particularly in regions with public irrigation provisions (canals and tanks). In contrast, in drought-affected and tube-well-irrigated regions, a smaller percentage of absentee landowning households reside in urban areas. The study underscores the adverse effects of absentee landowning households on agriculture. These households are often reluctant to sell their land due to expectations of future value appreciation, fixed rental income and benefits from government policies. Consequently, this reluctance leads to a lack of agricultural investment, adversely impacting the agrarian economy.

Quantifying international public finance provision needs for the new UN climate finance goal

Quantifying international public finance provision needs for the new UN climate finance goal

Empirical Reality versus Theoretical Framework: Street-Level Bureaucrats' Behavior in Driver's License Services at Pinrang Police Resort, Indonesia

This study investigates the behavioral dynamics of street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) in the driver's license (SIM) service at the Pinrang Resort Police (Polres Pinrang) in Indonesia, juxtaposing empirical findings with Michael Lipsky's seminal theory of street-level bureaucracy. Employing a qualitative phenomenological methodology, the research seeks to elucidate the influence of working conditions on SLBs' behavioral patterns and the consequent impact on public service quality. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with SLBs and service recipients, non-participant observations, and document analysis, then subjected to iterative thematic analysis using interactive model. The findings reveal notable divergences from Lipsky's theoretical propositions. SLBs at Polres Pinrang encounter reduced ambiguity in policy objectives and performance evaluation, attributable to effective communication channels, comprehensive standard operating procedures, and a robust performance appraisal system. Despite resource limitations and escalating service demands, SLBs exhibit adaptability in delivering responsive services through access rationing strategies, task routinization, and collaborative partnerships with interdepartmental units and community stakeholders. Contrary to the nonvoluntary client interactions posited by Lipsky, SLB-SIM applicant engagements are characterized by enhanced humanization and responsiveness. Nevertheless, Lipsky's theoretical insights maintain relevance in the broader landscape of public service provision. The study underscores the criticality of striking a balance between procedural adherence and client-centric responsiveness to optimize service quality.

Preschool education and infant health of the next generation: evidence from an expansion of public child care provision

Preschool education and infant health of the next generation: evidence from an expansion of public child care provision

In Desperate Need: Public Sanitation in Contemporary London

AbstractThere has been a collapse in the number of public toilets in UK cities. Austerity cuts, a lack of legal requirements, and a failure to prioritise sanitation has led to significant health and equality impacts. Research on public toilets in the Global North focuses on their historical production, contemporary design, or on the experience of particular social groups, with less work bringing governance and social experience together. We argue for a focus on the “ungoverning” of sanitation, on how residents “learn” sanitation in the city, and on the need for radical transformation in sanitation approaches and delivery. Drawing on research in London, we set out the challenges for public toilet provision and make a case for a sanitation revolution in British cities. We focus on the experience of delivery drivers and residents with health concerns in order to illustrate the inequalities in provision and their consequences.

The right to education in the mother tongue for Ukrainian refugees in Romania according to international and national law

Since the outbreak of the Russian invasion in February 2022, millions of Ukrainian citizens have sought refuge in Romania, with a significant number of people still remaining in the country as of the latest reports. Romanian government data indicate that by April 2024, approximately 154,617 Ukrainian refugees, including 50,000 school-aged children, were residing in the country. Before this crisis, Romania had established robust educational language rights for its Ukrainian minority of around 40,000 citizens. This study rigorously examines these pre-existing language rights within Romania’s legal framework, focusing on public education provisions. Central to the inquiry is whether the comprehensive language rights afforded to Romania’s Ukrainian minority could be extended to the Ukrainian-speaking refugees. The study begins with an introduction contextualizing the refugee crisis and outlining the existing legal framework for minority language rights in Romania. The legal analysis covers constitutional and sub-constitutional provisions, alongside with an examination of international agreements such as the bilateral treaty between Romania and Ukraine, the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Special emphasis is placed on education provisions, including curriculum design, textbooks, language of instruction, and decision-making. By addressing these pivotal questions, this study contributes to the theoretical discourse around the personal scope of minority language rights in Europe and offers a nuanced insight into Romania’s legal framework on minority language education. It also seeks to elucidate how Romania’s legal commitments accommodate both established minority communities and newly arrived refugees with similar linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Further sociological research is needed to explore the implementation of Ukrainian-language education to the benefit of the Ukrainian refugees, which was beyond the scope of this study. Nevertheless, Romania possesses all the necessary legal elements to serve as a truly best practice model in Europe for organizing and ensuring good quality education in the mother tongue for Ukrainian refugees.

Accessibility Measures to Evaluate Public Transport Competitiveness: The Case of Rome and Turin

The transport sector worldwide relies heavily on oil products, and private cars account for the largest share of passenger mobility in several countries. Public transport could represent an interesting alternative under many perspectives, including a decrease in traffic, pollutants, and climate emissions. However, for public transport to succeed, it should be attractive for final users, representing a viable alternative to private mobility. In this work, we analyse the spatial distribution of public transport service provision within two metropolitan cities, considering the three key dimensions of mobility, competitiveness, and accessibility of public transport. The results show that private car performs better than public transport in all scopes considered, and that performance indicators are highly variable among city areas, indicating inequalities in social and environmental sustainability in urban systems. The outcomes of the analysis provide interesting insights for policy makers and researchers that deal with similar topics, and can also be extended to other cities and countries.

Public Service Equalization, Digital Financial inclusion and the Rural Revitalization: Evidence from Chinese 283 prefecture-level cities

While China has made significant strides in poverty alleviation, the persistent urban-rural divide poses challenges for sustainable development. Previous studies have explored various factors influencing rural revitalization, yet the interplay between public service equalization, digital financial inclusion, and rural development remains understudied. This research investigates how public service equalization impacts rural revitalization in China and examines the moderating role of digital financial inclusion. Using panel data from 283 prefecture-level cities from 2011 to 2021, we employ a fixed-effects model and conduct robustness checks including endogeneity tests and alternative specifications. Our findings reveal that public service equalization positively influences rural revitalization, with both accessibility and beneficiality dimensions playing crucial roles. Importantly, digital financial inclusion enhances this positive impact, suggesting a synergistic effect. These results underscore the need for a holistic approach integrating public service provision and digital financial services to promote inclusive growth in rural China. By elucidating the mechanisms through which these factors interact, our study contributes to the broader literature on rural development and offers policymakers valuable insights for designing effective rural revitalization strategies.

Continuity in public transport provision during the Covid-19 pandemic – responding to organisational and health challenges facing workers

PurposeThis paper explores and analyses the major challenges faced by both customer-facing and office-based public transport employees during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic and the responses of their employers to their concerns.Design/methodology/approachQualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups were carried out, involving 39 employees and directors representing a wide range of professionals working in the transport sector in three European countries, Poland, Ireland and the UK. Data were analysed through thematic analysis and the emerging issues explored.FindingsMajor employee challenges included: access to resources for safe working; worker mental health and well-being; and the effects of changing working practices, particularly flexible working, on their wider household circumstances and work–life balance (especially combining childcare responsibilities with work). First, physical health safety measures (such as PPE) were put in place for all workers, although sometimes with delays. Second, concerning practical support for mental health and well-being at work, the findings highlight that their employers’ practical support was considered limited by some customer-facing participants. In contrast, participants working from home were offered considerably greater employer support for their well-being, including increased and regular communication regarding work and non-work-related topics to tackle isolation and lack of social interactions. Third, work–life balance, and especially childcare were significant issues for those working from home. To improve organisational resilience, employer support for workers needs to better reflect employees’ job role, work setting and location, as well as their household demands such as childcare.Practical implicationsThe lessons learned from this study contribute to future employer responses and practices and their organisational resilience, both in times of major crises and also for improving mental-health and childcare support in normal times.Originality/valueThe study considers the role of employee perspectives on organisational resilience and service continuity in public transport during a crisis and in three countries. Importantly, the data were gathered contemporaneously during the early stages of the pandemic, and so are not influenced by retrospective rationalisation or uncertain recollections.

공서비스 공급 관점에서 살펴본 비의료 건강관리서비스 인증 시범사업과 의료민영화 논쟁

In June 2022, the Ministry of Health and Welfare introduced a pilot program for the certification of non-medical health management services. This initiative, however, faced opposition due to concerns about potential healthcare privatization. This study aimed to examine whether the certification pilot program promotes healthcare privatization by utilizing a classification framework for public service provision. Contrary to initial concerns, it appears that the government sought to ensure publicness by acting as an intermediary between service beneficiaries and private providers, thereby incorporating the efficiency and accessibility of the private sector into the system. To address the potential exacerbation of health inequalities through technological monopolies and large-scale capital investment, continuous discussion and consensus among various social stakeholders surrounding this system will be necessary.

An investigation of regional public transport spend in Australia

This paper describes the outcome of a study to investigate the regional public transport spend in each state of Australia. The objective is to derive a reliable figure for comparison and the core metric used is spend per capita. The study assessed publicly available data on public transport spend, followed by a series of consultations with key staff from state bus associations and governments. The analysis was conducted separately for metropolitan (metro) and regional areas and then the regional data were further examined. While the Northern Territory (NT), Tasmania (TAS) and regional South Australia (SA) completely rely on bus services, Victoria (VIC) stands out as the state with the highest public transport spend per head in regional areas with robust train and bus networks which deliver the highest patronage. Western Australia (WA) is the state with the highest bus transport spend per head ensuring relatively high patronage despite the low population density. The study identifies low public transport patronage in regional areas as being influenced by low spending per capita and poor connectivity. It recommends prioritizing improvements in connectivity, multi-modal networks, and opening school buses to the general public. Additionally, funding strategies should focus more on patronage trends linked to spend rather than overemphasizing population density. Further, the study reveals that publicly available data seldom clearly segregates public transport spending in terms of regional and metro expenditure, which would lead to inefficiencies when assessing spatial equity in public transport provision.