Sustainable Public Services Research Articles

End of the Pandemic - Beginning of Digitalization in the Public Health Service? The German National Funding Program

The data-related desolate state of the health authorities became evident at the latest with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The lack of interoperability and networking among health authorities quickly developed into blockages in contact tracing and pandemic control. As a basis for the study, key figures and funding volumes from the Pact-Public Health Service (Pakt-ÖGD) were evaluated and analyzed using descriptive parameters. In addition, a literature review on the Pakt-ÖGD and related terms was carried out. The Pakt-ÖGD represents the largest financing offensive for the Public Health Service to date. Despite the digitalization pact and the first distributions of funds, there is no consensus on the goals of digitalization such as the ISCODE, Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability und Reuse (FAIR concept). The RKI is currently presenting a new electronic reporting and information system for health authorities (EMIGA), which is to be introduced parallel to DEMIS as a nationwide core application for infection protection. In analogy to health literacy, the public health service needs increased digital literacy to strengthen competence in order to agree on common goals of ISCODE and the FAIR concept, i.e. what digitalization should create or not. A sustainable public health service requires an open and connectable network that goes beyond infection protection (pandemic prevention, preparedness and response - PPPR) to a global One-Health platform.

Advancing annual global mean surface temperature prediction to 2 months lead using physics based strategy

Interannual global mean surface temperature (GMST) forecast provides critical insights into the economic and societal implications of climate variability. The pronounced GMST elevation in 2023–2024 indicates that the Earth may have accumulated enough heat to cause widespread disasters, underscoring the necessity for establishing accurate short-term GMST predictions to offer timely and sustainable public service. However, capturing high-frequency annual variability (ANV) component of GMST poses challenges due to its susceptibility to intraseasonal-to-interannual (ISI) noises, particularly across the Northern Hemisphere’s mid-to-high latitudes. Averaging these ISI variations in November and December effectively enhances signal clarity, especially over oceans, and masks unpredictable noises on land. By forecasting the average GMST for November and December to extract ANV predictability, a strategy for annual GMST prediction was established. This approach successfully advanced precise GMST hindcasts by up to 2-months during 1980–2022, exceeding performance of existing climate models and boosting early warning for interannual GMST shifts.

Examining The Impact of Various Factors on Working From Home

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented challenges, prompting governments worldwide to implement social distancing measures to curb the spread of the virus. As a response, many organizations, including government agencies, have adopted remote work policies, such as working from home (WFH), to ensure the continuity of their operations while safeguarding the health and safety of their employees. The Regional Development Planning Agency of Gunungkidul District is no exception, facing the need to implement WFH measures amidst the pandemic. However, transitioning to remote work presents various challenges, particularly in ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of public services. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence the successful implementation of WFH in this context is crucial for maintaining the quality and efficiency of public services. This study focuses on identifying these factors by examining six key variables: the availability of computers and internet networks, the ability to master technology and information, HR governance rules, organizational culture, performance evaluation instruments, and the physical conditions of the working environment. These variables were chosen based on their potential impact on WFH within the Regional Development Planning Agency. By utilizing the structural equation modeling method with the partial least squares (PLS) technique, this study aims to analyze the relationships between these variables and their effects on WFH implementation. The survey conducted with all staff of Bapeda Gunungkidul District provides valuable insights into how these factors interact and influence the successful adoption of remote work practices. The results of this study highlight the significant influence of computer and internet network availability on WFH implementation, as evidenced by the path coefficient value of 0.632, the T statistic value of 4.201, and the V value of 0.000. This finding underscores the importance of adequate technological infrastructure in facilitating remote work and ensuring the continuity of public services during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sheds light on the critical factors that impact the successful implementation of WFH in the Regional Development Planning Agency of Gunungkidul District. By understanding these factors, HR management can better navigate the challenges of remote work and develop strategies to optimize WFH practices, thereby maintaining the delivery of essential public services amidst crises.

Cultural institutions as knowledge-intensive public organisations (KIPOs) and their role: how digitalisation can change them providing sustainable and accessible public services

PurposeThis exploratory research seeks to clarify the role of cultural organisations as knowledge-intensive public organisations (KIPOs) and the trend of digital content creation in museum sectors and national strategies through a country case study. It aims to provide a deeper understanding and analysis of museums' roles as KIPOs, specifically focusing on their digitalisation and digital content development for service delivery. Digital technology utilisation in the museum sector has amplified the significance of digital content, not only because of the increasing use of digital technologies among the public but also because it provides attractive new content to appeal to customers, as well as more efficient knowledge management and knowledge reproduction tools for KIPOs. Thus, this paper analyses digital content creation in the museum sector and policy frameworks to provide insights into the role of museums as KIPOs by utilising digital technologies.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted literature review on six keywords, combination of “cultural institution”, “museum”, “digitalization”, “digital content”, and “ICT” to understand the digitalisation of museums amongst academic papers, then used a case study to figure out the common issues as well as case-specific features of these digital offerings through analysis of the digital platforms of museums. Specifically, we choose the case of South Korea, its national strategies and budget allocations and the museum sectors in the country. Thus, the secondary data analysis was provided by the official channels, such as documents from government agencies, media sources, such as articles from newspapers and magazines and academic works of literature, such as papers in scientific journals.FindingsThis paper reveals the research trend in museums' digitalisation, especially through the case study, how the South Korean government has argued digital content development in museum sectors through their national strategies and budget allocations, and the trend of museums' digital offerings since 2021. This paper thus presents a novel contribution to the field by delving into the research trend in digitalisation and digital content development in the museum sector and analysing the South Korean government's national strategies and budget allocation in this context. The literature review shows that the digitalisation of museums has increased research interest in the last few years in limited areas. South Korea has allocated budgets and policies to encourage digital content creation in museums, and this study identifies an increase in digital content creation in the museum sector.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper chose one-country case study, that of South Korea; thus, there are representative limitations and thus in terms of generalisation of the results. Further research with case studies from other countries and comparative studies are required.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the importance of digitalisation and digital content development in the museum sector through government policies, strategies and financial investment.Social implicationsIt highlights the importance of digitalisation and the introduction of digital contents amongst museums to gain new visitors and change the relationship between the institutions and the customers.Originality/valueIt deals with the digitalisation of museums as KIPOs and it is a new and relevant topic per se. This study enhances the understanding of the museum sector’s digital content development and national policies to support its activities. It provides insights into the utilisation of digital technologies in cultural institutions for digital service delivery in public organisations.

Motives of water and sanitation entrepreneurs in South Africa

The study aims to understand what motivates water and sanitation social entrepreneurs(SEs) in South Africa as they navigate the complex business environment of collaborating with municipalities in undertaking public service delivery. In an attempt to achieve higher sustainability in their SE business models, SE processes become risky and inevitably involve higher complexity as SE business model designers seek to also understand their business impact on the whole ecosystem. Any impact on any of the water and sanitation subsystems can stress or compromise the stability of the whole system.As such, in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interview was conducted with purposively selected social entrepreneurs in South Africa‘s Gauteng and Western Cape provinces. The study finds that SEs are motivated by compassion, religious, problem solving motives as well as the desire for self-sufficiency for sustainable business operation so as to make impact at scale. The overall mission is to change human living environments and provide sustainable alternative public services

Enhancing Public Transit System Through AI and IoT

The paper investigates the synergy between AI and IoT in revolutionizing public transit systems, emphasizing their role in addressing existing challenges and improving overall efficiency. It explores the application of IoT devices in creating a smart infrastructure that enables real-time data collection, monitoring, and management of transit operations. The research delves into the realm of predictive maintenance, showcasing how AI algorithms, powered by IoT data, can anticipate potential issues in transit vehicles. By analyzing sensor data, transit authorities can proactively address maintenance needs, minimizing downtime, reducing repair costs, and ensuring a more reliable and sustainable public transit service. Route optimization emerges as another crucial aspect of the study, highlighting how AI algorithms leverage historical and real-time data to recommend the most efficient transit routes. Factors such as traffic patterns, weather conditions, and passenger demand are considered to enhance overall system efficiency and reduce travel time for passengers. The paper introduces the concept of dynamic scheduling, illustrating how AI-driven algorithms adapt transit schedules in real-time based on changing passenger needs and external factors. This dynamic approach aims to provide more responsive services, ultimately reducing wait times and improving overall user satisfaction. Passenger information systems are explored as a pivotal component, illustrating how AI and IoT technologies enhance the passenger experience. Real-time communication through mobile apps, digital displays, and other channels ensures that passengers have accurate and timely information about arrival times, delays, and alternative routes, empowering them to make informed decisions. The researchers also delve into fare optimization, examining how AI algorithms analyze data on passenger demographics, travel patterns, and economic factors to create fair and affordable fare structures. This approach aims to encourage ridership, increase revenue, and improve the financial sustainability of public transit systems. The abstract presents a comprehensive overview of how the integration of AI and IoT technologies in public transit systems transforms urban mobility. The findings suggest that leveraging real-time data, predictive analytics, and dynamic solutions can significantly enhance the reliability, accessibility, and sustainability of public transit. As cities continue to explore innovative solutions, the abstract serves as a roadmap for developing smarter, user-friendly, and efficient urban transportation networks, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life for residents.

Can social enterprises achieve resilience and at what price?

AbstractSocial enterprises (SEs) are claimed to be able to address “wicked social problems1” in various policy instruments and governance models. However, doubts have been raised about whether the hybrid nature results in fundamental challenges that could prevent SEs from becoming ideal and sustainable public service organizations. Drawing upon organizational resilience literature, this article reveals two trade‐offs between social and business service qualities when SEs seek long‐term solutions to the challenges in delivering public services. This article argues that SEs—employing different hybrid models, emphasizing social or business service quality—jointly can overcome the trade‐offs to deliver sustainable and accountable public services at the public service contract level and the individual user's level.

Servant Leadership Style: A Key to Effective Good Governance and Sustainable Public Service Delivery in Africa

Servant Leadership Style: A Key to Effective Good Governance and Sustainable Public Service Delivery in Africa

Enhancing Public Services in the West Java Provincial Government: Unraveling Challenges, Defining Essence, and Proposing Solutions

Public service is the linchpin of good governance, profoundly impacting community quality of life. This research delves into the redefinition of public service within the West Java Provincial Government, scrutinizing its essence and confronting primary challenges to effective service delivery. Amidst hurdles like intricate bureaucracy, deficient inter-agency coordination, and incongruent service standards, understanding these issues is imperative for a nuanced comprehension of public service. The research objective is to meticulously explore and redefine the core of effective public service at the West Java Provincial Government level, establishing a foundation for comprehending factors influencing service quality. Employing a qualitative approach encompassing in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis, the study aims to gain profound insights into perceptions, experiences, and practices related to public service at the provincial government level. The findings pinpoint key aspects contributing to a comprehensive definition of public service. Recommendations derived from these findings propose initiatives to augment inter-agency coordination, streamline bureaucratic processes, and enhance consistency in service standards, thereby bolstering the efficacy of public service in the West Java Provincial Government. This research aspires to significantly contribute to fortifying the understanding and implementation of more effective, sustainable, and responsive public services to cater to the community's needs within the West Java Provincial Government area.

An Evaluation of Sustainable Public Services in Light of Turkstat Data on The 100TH Anniversary of The Turkish Republic

Diversifying the expectations of internal and external stakeholders, as well as increasing consumption, require a management practice that takes into account both the use of current resources and the needs of future generations. This situation has been addressed by the participating countries, which have implemented a number of regulations to support the global implementation of the sustainability vision. Although targets and regulations may be established, the primary actor responsible for implementing and achieving sustainability is public institutions. These institutions serve a large group of people and utilize resources on a large scale. The sustainable service delivery performance of public institutions has a direct impact on the welfare and future of society. Sustainable public service is the process of implementing management practices that effectively and efficiently utilize available resources to meet the needs of both today and tomorrow's generations while preserving those resources for future use. This study examines citizen satisfaction levels as a concrete indicator of public service performance in various service areas between 2003 and 2022, in the context of the 100-year achievements of the Republic of Turkey. TUIK data was used and associated with the UN 2030 Sustainability Goals. Based on the data, it was determined that the highest level of general satisfaction is in public security services, while the lowest is in pavement and sidewalk, education, and greenbelt services. To address low satisfaction, it is urgent to develop innovative, digital, and smart solutions and systems in education, network water, sewer services, waste collection, and mass public transportation. Additionally, developing new policies and practices to increase the number of green spaces and improve satisfaction in health services, which have recently decreased, would be appropriate for sustainable public service delivery and welfare in the second century of the Republic of Turkey.

A Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Mutual Aid on the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic Response

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, responses of mutual aid took place at both the national and community levels. A study was conducted in the United Kingdom to investigate how grassroots community action helps people during pandemics and other types of emergency circumstances to meet their immediate health, care and social needs. In addition, the necessity for community self-organization, its success, and any challenges that developed are also evaluated. Methods An interpretative approach was utilised in order to gain an understanding of the points of view held by (N = 15) organisers, volunteers, and people who received support from mutual aid, who were a part of the first mutual aid group that was founded by a community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A purposive sampling technique was used with semi-structured interviews conducted virtually. The results of the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results The results of the interviews yielded the following themes: 1) lack of trust in government during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) people feeling forgotten by the national government and their local council, and 3) the need to support vulnerable populations and members of the community, including those who belong to marginalized groups. It has been demonstrated how grassroots community organizing may build community cohesiveness and attempts to reinforce local and national government activities, particularly in times of emergency, that can bring communities together to assist one another. Conclusions This approach could be used to co-produce sustainable public health services in collaboration with communities and government, building trust and meeting population health needs by co-creating equitable services while also developing community cohesiveness. Key messages • This study is innovative. The community identified their needs and developed a support system. • Working with a local council to develop a sustainable community service to meet the population health needs of the community.

Analysis of strategic customer behavior in observable M/G/1 queues with impatience

ABSTRACT In this paper, we propose a queueing-game-theoretic model and analyze the strategic behavior of customers and social optimization in an observable M / G / 1 queue, in which arriving customers decide whether to join the system or balk based on a new binary and random reward-cost structure. Each incoming customer to the queue has a relative tolerance time. If the customer’s service does not begin (or end) within his or her relative tolerance time, the customer will incur a cost for his or her waiting. We first derive closed-form solutions for customers’ equilibrium and socially optimal joining strategies using the technique of the Laplace-Stieltjes transform. Furthermore, some representative numerical experiments are performed to visualize the theoretical results. The numerical scenarios illustrate the influence of the relative tolerance time on equilibrium strategy and socially optimal strategy. Finally, we compare the effect of relative tolerance time on social welfare in observable and unobservable queues. The numerical results show that observable queues lead to higher social welfare. This study provides guidance for system providers in designing more economical and sustainable public service systems.

Systematic Literature Review on Information Technology Governance in Government

Purpose: This article aims to assist the government in developing better, more efficient, and sustainable public governance by utilizing information technology and artificial intelligence. The article provides insights on how information technology and artificial intelligence can be applied in public governance to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of public services, as well as to enhance public trust in the government.Design/Method/Approach: The method used in this article is a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), which is a systematic and methodological research method for collecting, evaluating, and synthesizing evidence from previous studies in the field under investigation, through search terms and searching for information in online databases and creating inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: This article is expected to achieve more efficient, effective, and sustainable public governance and improve the quality of public services and public trust. The article also shows that information technology and artificial intelligence have become an integral part of public governance in various countries, with many countries taking a holistic and sustainable approach.Originality/State of the art: The state-of-the-art of this article is that information technology and artificial intelligence can be effectively used to improve public governance to achieve better, more efficient, and sustainable goals. The article also emphasizes the importance of considering data privacy, cyber security, and unwanted environmental impacts, as well as considering ethical and human rights aspects in the development of artificial intelligence. This will help the government to develop and implement information technology and artificial intelligence in public governance in a responsible and sustainable manner.

INVESTIGATING THE PROSPECT OF AUTONOMOUS TRAM (AT) TRANSIT CONSIDERING DAILY MOBILITY PATTERNS AND EXISTING BUS SERVICES COVERAGE IN SURAKARTA

Development of equitable and environmentally friendly public transit services is a pre-requisite if Indonesian cities were to attain sustainability objectives. Recent advances in transportation technology have introduced Autonomous Tram (AT) as an environmentally conscious option. This article investigates the prospect of implementing AT system using Surakarta as a case study. In doing so, we qualitative observe daily mobile patterns obtained through a primary survey and by considering existing Batik Solo Trans (BST) bus routes. Results indicate locations of road corridors most prominently used, overlapped with the existing bus services, indicating the geographic prospects of where to locate the AT system, The results from this study are expected to be a reference in AT research as a potentially sustainable public transportation service in Indonesia.

Potential Development of Trans Central Java Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor 1 Towards Sustainable Mobility

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the Banyumas area, Central Java, aims to provide inter-regional connectivity in Purwokerto City and Purbalingga Regency. This is one of the six BRT corridors in Central Java launched in 2018. Therefore, this study aims to examine the development of BRT corridors based on transit-integrated land use along the corridor, after five years of operation. The primary survey was conducted on land use along the corridor at a radius of 200 m and 400 m from the BRT bus stop, which was analyzed using a qualitative descriptive method. As a result, BRT Corridor 1 in Central Java can be identified for bus-based transit development. First, BRT services have connected high to very high populations. Second, BRT shelters have good access to shopping centers, culinary centers, and artificial tourism within a 200 m and 400 m radius. Third, BRT shelters are also connected to other modes of public transportation. However, the results of our study found that the BRT shelters had not been connected to pedestrian facilities. Based on these three criteria, BRT Corridor 1 in Central Java is feasible to be developed as a sustainable public transport service. However, further studies are needed to link BRT shelters with pedestrian facilities, in order to create clean and sustainable mobility.

Exploring the Distinctiveness of Social Enterprises Delivering Adult Social Care in England

Social enterprises, which are businesses with social objectives, have been championed by the UK government as an opportunity to deliver more innovative, socially oriented, and commercially sustainable public services. However, very little is known about them, especially in a social care context. This paper therefore aims to answer the following three questions: (1) What are care social enterprises?, (2) What are their distinctive qualities?, and (3) How can they contribute to the adult social care sector? It presents evidence from a “mapping” of care social enterprises in three English local authorities, and from interviews with 35 stakeholders from across the social care and social enterprise sectors. Drawing on an institutional logics framework, we explore the influence of different norms, goals, and practices on care social enterprises and the extent to which they are aligned with those of the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. We found that their unique combination of business and social logics, along with an entrepreneurial mindset, may make them more flexible, innovative, and able to diversify their income than public and not-for-profit care organisations. They were also considered more trustworthy than private care services. However, their competing social and business logics can create internal tensions and bring uncertainty about what organisational model they are. These tensions can make it challenging for us to define what a care social enterprise is and in turn for social enterprises to promote themselves and attract funding.

Fighting depopulation in Europe by analyzing the financial risks of local governments

Throughout Europe, one of the main problems facing policymakers is that of falling rural populations. In many cases, this is aggravated by high levels of local government borrowing. Although researchers have sought to determine the causes of this debt, much remains to be known about the factors influencing the default risk of small- and medium-sized towns, information that would help them formulate policies to combat the loss of population. The aim of our study is to identify factors relevant to this default risk. We analyzed demographic, socioeconomic, and financial factors in a sample of 6456 Spanish local governments by their population size. Our findings show that financial policies applied to reduce this risk should vary according to the population size, as certain factors exert a specific influence on smaller municipalities. Nevertheless, socioeconomic and financial variables have more impact on default risk than demographic factors. Our findings are novel and useful for all concerned in combating the depopulation of rural areas in Europe, owing to the relevance of conclusions for the design of public policies based on the sustainability of public services in small municipalities. Points for practitioners The measurement of the default risk in local governments reveals very relevant information for the design of public policies against depopulation. Socioeconomic and financial variables have more impact on default risk than demographic factors. The evolution of the measurement of default risk reveals that policies against depopulation must be defined based on the size of the municipalities. The influencing factors on the default risk are interesting to decide if finance government investments through loans that allow the repopulation of small municipalities.

Identification of HR management training approaches on sustainable public service administration skills in Indonesia

This research article aimed to identify HR management training approaches that can enhance sustainable public service administration skills in Indonesia. The study reviewed the literature on HR management training approaches, including e-learning, job rotation, cross-functional teams, and performance management. The researcher may conduct a literature review focusing on the study's objectives, such as locating HR management training methods that improve Indonesia's sustainable public service administration skills. The literature review should be comprehensive, including current and pertinent publications. The research also explored the potential barriers to practical HR management training in Indonesia and the role of technology in HR management training. The findings of this study suggest that e-learning can provide cost-effective training opportunities, job rotation can enhance employees' skills and knowledge, cross-functional teams can facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration, and performance management can set clear performance expectations and provide regular feedback and coaching. The study also highlights the need for further research to evaluate the effectiveness of different HR management training approaches, identify barriers to practical training, and explore the role of technology in HR management training.

Synergetic approach for sustainable public service personnel management during Covid-19

The paper explores the application of a synergetic approach in managing public service personnel in a developing country, utilizing methods such as the six thinking hats, Delphi, analysis and synthesis, deductive, and Stanford model design thinking. It analyses sustainable development indicators, changes in personnel management within government bodies, and highlights a HDI of 0.779, Corruption Perceptions Index of 32, Income Inequality Index of 25.36%, and Gender Equality Index ranging from 0.677 to 0.714 in 2021. The findings suggest measures to activate synergetic principles, including enhancing critical and creative thinking, emotional intelligence, IQ, stress resistance, and knowledge among managers, as well as emphasizing emotional intelligence and IQ among organizational personnel. Steps for HR management in the Ukrainian public service are proposed, such as adaptation, motivation improvement, exit interviews, corporate culture development, competitive wages, and remote HRMIS technology utilization.

Impact of Experienced Workplace Incivility (EWI) on Instigated Workplace Incivility (IWI): The Mediating Role of Stress and Moderating Role of Islamic Work Ethics (IWE)

There has been an increase in uncivil behaviors in the 21st century workplace, emphasizing the need for discussion. The current study is aimed at extending the literature available on workplace incivility by examining the impact of experienced workplace incivility on instigated workplace incivility. The study proposes that stress mediates the relationship between experienced workplace incivility and instigated workplace incivility. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that Islamic work ethics moderates the relationship between experienced and instigated workplace incivility, and between stress and instigated workplace incivility. Data were collected at three-time lags from respondents (N = 258) working in the sustainable public service sector. Results supported the hypotheses that experienced workplace incivility impacts instigated workplace incivility. The results also supported mediation and moderation hypotheses, confirming that stress is a mediator, and Islamic work ethics is a moderator. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed followed by limitations.