Public Projects Research Articles

Cost-Benefit Methodology in Public Investment in the Peruvian Educational Sector of Invierte.Pe. a Practical Case

Objective: The purpose of the research is to show a specific process to perform the cost/benefit analysis in the social evaluation of public investment projects in the education sector, applying the net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) profitability indicators, taking into account that the approach of the National System of Multiannual Programming and Investment Management (Invierte.pe) applies a different methodology as the cost/efficiency analysis, where it uses criteria such as the Present Value of Costs (PVC) and the Cost Efficiency Indicator (CEI). Theoretical framework: In order to present our proposal, we used as a theoretical framework, mainly the directives, instructions, procedures, and methodological guides proposed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Peru, which can be improved by considering the results of investment in education. Method: The research proposes a technique to evaluate investment projects in the education sector through the cost/benefit methodology instead of the cost/effectiveness methodology. Within the materials and methods, an education sector investment project approved by Invierte.pe was used, and we added cost/benefit analysis to estimate the profitability indicators NPV and IRR to carry out the social evaluation of the project. Results: The results show that the education project has a net present value of S/. 794,874.30 at social prices, and an internal rate of social return of 9.56%. Finishing the research, it can be concluded based on the results obtained that it is possible to incorporate the cost/benefit methodology in the formulation and evaluation of standard, simplified technical sheets and studies at the profile level of public investment projects in the education sector. Conclusions: It can be concluded that it is feasible the social evaluation of investment projects in the educational sector of the Peruvian state, through the cost/benefit methodology in the region and the country, by means of the profitability indicators NPV and IRR, obtaining a higher internal rate of return.

Профориентация как неотъемлемая часть образовательного процесса в школе

This article considers the issue of vocational guidance work in schools as a factor in increasing the level of self-determination of students. Professional self-determination of young people is one of the most important state goals of the educational system. The author presents the stages and tools of vocational guidance work within the framework of public projects. As the main directions of career guidance work in school can be defined: professional education, professional diagnostics, professional counseling. The author considers the directions that make career guidance work more productive.

Нереалізовані видавничі проєкти Українського Генеалогічного і Гераль дичного Товариства

The purpose of the research is determined by the necessity to identify, research, and analyze unrealized publishing projects of the Ukrainian Genealogical and Heraldic Society, which was created and operated in the environment of Ukrainian scientific emigration: "Scientific Collection of Works" and "Bibliographic Index of Ukrainian Emblematics". The research methodology is based on the principles of historicity, objectivity, systematicity, and scientificity. The research used general scientific (analysis and synthesis, classification) and historical (problematic-historical, comparative, chronological) methods. The scientific novelty is that for the first time unrealized publishing projects of the Ukrainian Genealogical and Heraldic Society, which could have an impact on the development of contemporary Ukrainian heraldry, genealogy, sphragistics, and vexillology, will be highlighted. Conclusions. Among the many tasks of the Ukrainian Genealogical and Heraldic Society were publishing projects, the implementation of which directly depended on the financial situation. Although the necessary materials were collected for the "Scientific Collection of Works", it was never published. Because of this, part of these texts were published on the pages of the UHA edition of The Ukrainian Historian journal. During 1969-1971, the Society began work on the preparation of the publication "Bibliographic Index of Ukrainian Emblems", which was supposed to contain more than 1,000 items of literature. However, only eight issues were published in a limited edition for members of the Society, which are of great importance today, because they systematized information on scientific works and research in the field of Ukrainian heraldry, sphragistics, vexillology, and numismatics for the first time. The unrealized publishing projects of the Society testified to objective problems that prevented historical science in the diaspora from developing to its full potential. Today, the analysis of the scientific and publishing activities of the Society and the republishing of individual works of the Society’s members is of great importance for Ukrainian heraldry and genealogy.

Qaddafi's Hidden History? The Libyan World Islamic Call Society's Editions and Translations of the Qur'an

AbstractOne of the most important developments in modern Islamic missionary activism was the establishment in 1972 of the Libya‐based World Islamic Call Society (WICS, originally the Islamic Call Society) which acted as a leading think tank advocating Muslim unity and Pan‐Arabism throughout the Qaddafi era. Despite the severe challenges facing post‐revolutionary Libya, WICS remains active today, albeit with reduced global visibility. This article demonstrates the ways that WICS's endeavors in publishing were innovative in the Northern African Arabic context, notably when it comes to the al‐Muṣḥaf al‐Jamāhīriyya (1983) and the various Qur'an translations it produced, and argues that its activities are a neglected yet critical aspect of modern Islamic missionary endeavors at the nexus of Pan‐Islamism and Pan‐Arabism. Through exploring WICS's historical background, the individual actors affiliated with it, and its primary publishing projects, the current study sheds light on an overlooked chapter in modern Islamic missionary activity. It also explores the contextual factors that have influenced the success of its Qur'an translations beyond issues of religious identity, offering new insights into the intersection of politics and religion that underlie many modern translations of the Qur'an.

The Ontological Security-Seeking Paradox: Domestic and International Effects of Public Architecture in North Macedonia’s ‘Skopje 2014’ Project

This article theorises the relationship between material environment and state ontological security by analysing how public architecture is used to defend, assert or construct state sense of self in international society. The article articulates the dynamic relationship between the two audiences of public architecture projects – international and domestic – and demonstrates how a project aimed at ensuring ontological security with one audience can produce anxiety and insecurity for the other. We illustrate this argument with the analysis of ‘Skopje 2014’ – a hugely ambitious architectural project by the government of Macedonia (now North Macedonia), designed to give the capital Skopje a completely new, neo-classical architectural look. However, instead of securing Macedonia’s ‘European’ visual identity, ‘Skopje 2014’ produced tremendous domestic political conflict and further removed Macedonia from the European cultural space it so much desired. Our study moves the scholarship on ontological security forward by specifying the dynamic trade-off between international and domestic security-seeking in contested polities.

Beyond a technological tool: How a platform as a meta-organization enables a successful public service project in China

Successful public service projects are few. An extreme case in this study shows that the performance of a public service project in Beijing adopting a platform not only meets but goes beyond the expectations of the policy designer. Existing studies on platforms focus on the impact of a platform from a static perspective in information systems studies, but have not investigated the transformational process where a platform was built and functioned. A platform development and governance model was developed. Our findings suggest that in a public service project, (1) working as a technological tool, the platform built through contextual pressures, authorized and technological capacities of multiple stakeholders affected the roles of the government and social sector entities, and then reorganized the services to reduce corruption risks and standardized actions to better serve the people; and (2) working as a meta-organization, the platform was built through the authorized and link-building capacities of stakeholders. It integrated multiple stakeholders to better serve the people and calmed conflicts and catalyzed innovations to build norms to regulate actions and offer better service. The above governance factors promoted the multi-oriented performance of the project. In the course of generating the grounded model, we clarify the key factors in the dynamic process of how a platform works.

Settler urbanism, emotional geographies, and Indigenous planning in Ecuadorian Amazonia

Affects and emotions serve as tools of governance in settler urbanism, facilitating colonial dispossession and control of Indigenous land. Drawing on modernist logics, housing projects in indigenous territory seek to instill fixity and urban orders on mobile Indigenous populations through the management of fear and uncertainty. Here we examine the production of emotions associated with the development of the Pañacocha Millennium Community, a public housing project in the Petroamazonas oilfields of what was once Indigenous Kichwa territory in Ecuadorian Amazonia. We draw on research in Indigenous planning, the geographies of emotion, and critical urban studies to demonstrate the emotional impacts of the imposition of colonial governmental logics of housing production in Indigenous lands. At the same time, we examine the limitations of settler urbanist governance through emotion by documenting the embodied Indigenous relations with land, housing, and mobility captured in the concept territorio cuerpo-tierra, which has led to various forms of resistance and avoidance to the housing project. The case of the Pañacocha Millennium Community illuminates the role of emotion in urban planning and settler urbanism, in particular, and contributes to emerging work in Indigenous and decolonial planning.

Legal Study of Alternative Models of Land Procurement for Public Interest Development Viewed from Human Rights Perspective

Purpose: This research addresses a prominent land-related challenge, specifically focusing on the issue of remedies during the land procurement process, which constitutes 7.65% of the overall concerns. Among the identified remedies (seven in total) applicable to land procurement for public interest development, a significant majority (87.5%) involves parties denying payment. This observation points to a noteworthy aspect: the government's neglect of human rights considerations within the land procurement process. Methods: The study uses normative juridical and empirical methods, employing prescriptive analysis to understand the legal aspects of depositing compensation for public land acquisition. It utilizes legislative analysis, case studies, and interviews to qualitatively analyze data, aiming for comprehensive insights. Results and Conclusion: The study advocates for a land procurement approach rooted in human rights principles. Such an approach encompasses the entire process, from initial planning to development, emphasizing the importance of respecting honor, dignity, and the fulfillment of rights to restore the lives of landowners. Alternative models are proposed, encouraging active involvement of relevant parties in the planning phase to comprehensively identify problems and collaboratively design future-focused solutions. Parties entitled to compensation are afforded the opportunity to contribute to determining the fair value of the land. In cases where mutual agreement cannot be reached, scheduled meetings provide a platform for entitled parties to present their grievances and obtain remedies essential for their sustenance. These remedies may include financial support for a specified duration. Consequently, parties entitled to compensation play a pivotal role in permitting the government to initiate development for the greater public interest, ensuring the fulfillment of their rights and well-being. This alternative model strives to establish a more equitable and participatory framework for land procurement, prioritizing and safeguarding the rights of all involved parties throughout the entire process. Research implications: This research has several important implications for study and practical implementation in the field of land procurement. These implications include the need for legal reforms, a human rights-based approach, stakeholder participation, alternative compensation models, capacity building, comparative studies, and monitoring and evaluation. By considering these implications, policymakers and practitioners can work towards more equitable, sustainable land acquisition practices that respect the rights of all parties involved. Originality/value: The originality and value of this research lie in its contribution to the understanding of land procurement processes and their implications for human rights and equitable development. The study offers fresh insights by identifying and analyzing the challenges and remedies encountered during land acquisition for public interest projects. The proposed alternative models and recommendations provide practical approaches to address these challenges, with a focus on stakeholder participation, fair compensation, and the integration of human rights principles. The research adds value to the existing literature by emphasizing the importance of considering human rights in land procurement and suggesting ways to improve the fairness and inclusivity of these processes. It serves as a basis for future studies and policy reforms aimed at promoting more just and sustainable land acquisition practices.

Strategic Communication for Local Public Health Services in Portugal: A Delphi Study.

Strategic communication plays a decisive role in public health planning and project implementation. However, Portuguese Local Public Health Units, which are responsible for community interventions, still lack guidance models, tools, specialized resources, and training in health communication. The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual model of strategic organizational communication for local public health services, in Portugal. This study presents a conceptual model of strategic organizational communication for Local Public Health Units, which was developed through a three-round, modified Delphi online panel. Thirty-seven Portuguese specialists in public health, communication, and community members were invited to analyse a proposed framework, based on an up-to-date literature review. High retention rates were observed in all rounds (first = 22 valid participations; second = 21 valid participations; third = 18 valid participations). Most participants believed that Portuguese Public Health Units were not prepared to communicate effectively and that they would benefit from adequate planning and identification of a communication lead or team. Websites and social media were also identified as essential for effective communication. The validated conceptual model integrated different partners in health and in the community, with emphasis on the relationships with the national network of health authorities, other Public Health Units, primary health care units, municipalities, and schools. The preferred channels identified for communicating with these partners included interpersonal relationships, email, and mobile phone. No consensus was obtained for preferred communication channels between Local Public Health Units and the media. Strategic planning based on the proposed conceptual model involving different stakeholders, has potential to improve the effectiveness of internal and external communication and facilitate the implementation of public health programs and projects. The proposed model needs to be validated in Local Public Health Units, considering the potential human, material, and financial constraints.

Construction Management in the Amazon: Analysis of Performance Indicators and Impacts of COVID-19

Management failures in public construction projects result in significant resource wastage and delays in social development goals. This research aims to evaluate the management of contracts for public school construction projects using cost, schedule, and scope performance indicators, as well as investigate the influence of the characteristics of the Amazon region and the COVID-19 pandemic on project execution. The methodology involved document analysis of selected samples, describing the projects, geographical locations, contractual changes, and statistical correlation tests. Subsequently, the study surveyed the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the analyzed projects, along with an analysis of performance indicators. The results revealed that all projects experienced cost increases, with an average percentage of 24.36%. Regarding schedule extensions, 92.30% of the projects underwent contractual changes, with an average increase in time of 142.19%. Scope changes were present in all projects, with an average modification percentage of 61.84%. It is believed that this study contributes to a critical analysis of the management of public engineering projects, enabling the identification of problems and improvement opportunities.

Mediation of Socioenvironmental Conflict in Macrodrainage Works: The Experience of the Municipal Government of Guarujá, São Paulo State, Brazil

Urban growth has been correlated with substantial changes in land use, triggering socio-environmental conflicts. In Brazil, the lack of a tradition in mediating socio-environmental conflicts is evident through numerous lawsuits that often take years to reach a resolution. This study emphasized the actions taken by the Municipal Government of Guarujá (PMG) in 2022 as a tool for resolving socio-environmental conflicts without resorting to litigation. The research focused on the specific case of a macro-drainage project in the Santo Antônio neighborhood, which involved the relocation of 29 families from their homes with equivalent compensation guided by a Terms of Conduct Adjustment (TAC). This qualitative study was grounded in document analysis, a systematic literature review, and interviews with stakeholders. The study aimed to analyze how mediation techniques could contribute to resolving socio-environmental conflicts between public infrastructure projects and the local population. The research findings indicated that the PMG's initiatives were essential in creating a mediation space where, through dialogue, officials involved in the relocation process addressed the families' concerns, even amending clauses within the Comparative Data Market Method for Urban Areas, used for compensation payments, in accordance with legal instruments. This initiative led all the families involved to adhere to the negotiated terms, avoiding litigation and facilitating the project's realization.

Design and Development of Collabosphere: A Cloud-based Collaboration Platform

Abstract: CollaboSphere is a cutting-edge cloud-based platform for collaboration that was created mainly with students in mind. It addresses the difficulties associated with information sharing and teamwork in both academic and professional settings. CollaboSphere combines the capabilities of a project directory and collaboration centre to provide features including task/issue tracking, real-time messaging, document sharing. CollaboSphere is powered by the powerful MERN stack, DevOps methodologies, and AWS cloud infrastructure, which guarantees performance, scalability, and reliability. Students may easily interact, share thoughts, and access collective expertise in this environment thanks to its novel features, which include a public project directory and an accessible interface. CollaboSphere is a new era of teamwork and knowledge sharing that embodies development and innovation in student collaboration through careful deployment, management, and scaling strategies

신속통합기획 및 공공정비사업의 사업 초기 저해요인이 사업 만족도에 미치는 영향 연구

In order to revitalize the housing improvement project, it is necessary to study the effect on business satisfaction of union members from the beginning of the project. This study analyzed the impact of legal, financial, and operational obstacles on project satisfaction in the early stages of the housing improvement project. In addition, the purpose is to provide basic data for revitalizing housing supply by analyzing the impact of the recently implemented rapid integrated planning and public maintenance projects on business satisfaction. The method of this study was to conduct analysis by applying a structural equation model based on data from a survey of union members. It was found that when financial obstacles within a union increase, it not only has a negative impact on business satisfaction, but also has the greatest impact on union member conflict. Accordingly, it was found that it was necessary to secure transparency in the cooperative's acquisition of operating expenses in the early stages of the project and to provide support from the government's housing improvement project support fund.

Evaluating Public Procurement's Challenges in Nigeria's Construction Industry

The article explores the challenges faced by public project management in Nigeria, focusing on the procurement process and its potential improvements. The research used a survey and descriptive design, collecting data from 125 procurement offices and federal Ministry of Works professionals. The study found that poor risk management, dark purchasing, corruption, and lack of transparency were the top issues, with a mean score of 4.96. The study also found that the procurement process and industry, economy, and project quality had a joint influence on the dependent variables. The study rejected the null hypothesis, stating that the procurement process significantly impacts the industry, economy, and project quality in Nigeria. The research recommends implementing measures to improve the procurement process and punishing offenders to reduce fraud. The study concludes that the procurement process in Nigeria significantly impacts the industry, economy, and project quality.

Replacing Settler Spaces: The Transformational Power of Indigenous Public Art

Similar to 19th-century steamship travel, 21st-century cruise ships link far-flung communities for visitors to the Pacific Northwest Coast. Contemporary Indigenous artists, like their ancestors before them, have transformed touristic curiosity into economic, educational and cultural opportunities for their communities. Public art has become an increasingly important site for engaging visitors who have only a few hours to spend on shore. This paper compares two public art projects—Juneau, Alaska’s Kootéeyaa Deiyí (Totem Pole Trail) and Vancouver, British Columbia’s Blanketing the City—to explore the multivalent ways in which public art expresses Indigenous sovereignty.

Public –Private Partnership (PPP) and Management of Public Infrastructure in Enugu State

.The study appraised the Public-PrivatePartnership and Management of Public Infrastructures in Enugu State.. To achieve the objectives, three research questions were raised while three hypotheses were formulated. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study employed secondary and primary sources of data. The collected data were analyzed through the use of mean score. T-test statistical technique was applied in testing the hypotheses. The findings revealed that public infrastructures have been managed properly through PPP in Enugu state (where value t = 65.588 and critical value = 1.99), that the concession agreement pattern improved the development of public infrastructures in Enugu state (where value t = 68. 856 and critical value = 1.99) and that Limited financial resources are some of the challenges facing the operations of the PPP in infrastructural development in Enugu state (where value t = 55.434 and critical value = 1.99). The study concluded that in Enugu State, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have showcased transformative potential in the management of public infrastructure. By leveraging on private sector expertise and investment, Enugu State has witnessed improved infrastructural development, from roads to utilities. These collaborations enhance efficiency, innovation, and timely project delivery. The study recommended that to strengthen Regulatory Frameworks: the Enugu State government should enhance its regulatory and policy environment to provide clarity and consistency offering a secure foundation for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and encouraging private sector engagement in public infrastructure projects.

Implementation of value-oriented project portfolio management for the development of complex system

ObjectivesThe aim of the article is to set the problem of forming the optimal value-oriented portfolio of the development of a complex system, taking into account the mutual influence of the components of the portfolio on each other.Material and methodsThe research used: project portfolio management methods; systems theory and system analysis (for the formalization of value-oriented management processes); mathematical modeling tools (for the formation of basic models of portfolio management).ResultsThis article provides a basic methodological framework for portfolio management of organizational development. The conceptual framework for portfolio management has been formalized, where portfolio management processes are considered as a means of implementing strategic decisions.ConclusionsThe success of development portfolio management should not only be measured by the economic component, but also by the values that influence the sustainable development of the region. The current legal framework for the design and implementation of public projects in Ukraine is not up to date, as confirmed by the findings of international experts and domestic scientists.

Framework for assessing sustainability of urban transport projects—Case of India

<p>The majority of the population in million-plus cities of India, especially the lower- and middle-income groups, are largely dependent on public transport (PT), intermediate public transport (IPT), and non-motorized transport (NMT) for their mobility. There is a need to assess such urban transport projects with regard to their contribution to various developmental goals, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the context of the Paris Agreement of 2015 and the Agenda 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), independently as well as in their interactions with each other. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India published a checklist for project appraisal of urban transport projects in 2015. This viewpoint proposes to expand the existing checklist for assessing public transport projects, i.e., BRTS and city bus services, IPT sector, i.e., auto-rickshaw, E-rickshaw, cycle-rickshaw, and shared mobility like Uber and Ola, and NMT infrastructure, i.e., walkways and cycle infrastructure to include parameters related to climate change mitigation, relevant SDGs targets, and participatory governance.</p>

Sustainability-Based Value Engineering Management as an Integrated Approach to Construction Projects

The integration of sustainability standards and value engineering methods in public education projects is a significant concern, as it ensures the well-being and sustainability goals of students, lecturers, and employees. This study aims to enhance sustainability within public education campuses by utilizing value engineering processes that establish a balanced correlation between the available budget costs and the sustainability costs that affect educational objectives, strategies, and the overall sustainability of the environment. In order to evaluate the integration of value engineering and the sustainability rating system “LEED protocols” for schools, the study utilized HAP (Hourly Analysis Program) software to perform numerical analysis, with the objective of improving environmental efficiency and cost-effectiveness in school buildings from the perspective of both male and female students. By applying this approach to all engineering disciplines, systems, and materials involved in the project, the study achieved impressive results, including a reduction in energy usage by 53.67%, a cost reduction of 27.48% from the total project budget, and 13 points earned in credit C1 and credit C2 in the Energy and Atmosphere EA category in LEED 2009. These findings are of great importance for the planning and execution of construction projects, specifically in the context of educational infrastructure, and provide valuable insights into the construction and renovation of school buildings, which can be used to enhance the safety, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of these facilities.

Critical success factors for cost overrun minimization in public construction projects in developing countries: the case of Ghana

Purpose It is widely accepted that one criterion for determining if a construction project is successful is whether it is completed within the expected budget. There have been advancements in the management of building projects throughout time but cost overruns remain a key concern in the construction sector internationally, particularly in emerging economies such as Ghana. This study aims to answer the question, “What are the critical success factors (CSFs) that can assist reduce cost overruns in public sector infrastructure projects in the Ghanaian construction industry?” Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative survey method. The questionnaire was pre-tested by interviewing 15 contractors to ascertain the validity of the content. Factor analysis and multiple regression were adopted to analyze the data. Findings This study discovered that the critical factors that can reduce cost overruns in construction projects in Ghana are directly linked to five themes: early contractor involvement in the project planning stage, adequate funding, good project team relations, competent managers/supervisors and project participant incentives/bonuses. This study identifies indestructible, empirically measurable important success criteria for reducing cost overruns in public building projects in Ghana. Practical implications When well thought through from the project initiation stage to completion, these critical successes can also be used to deal with damaging economic effects such as allocative inefficiency of scarce resources, further delays, contractual disputes, claims and litigation, project failure and total abandonment. Originality/value The uniqueness of this research resides in the fact that it is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, a first-of-its-kind investigation of the CSFs for reducing cost overruns in public building projects in developing countries.