scholarly journals The Dangers of Fiscal Decentralization and Public Service Delivery: a Review of Arguments

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 599-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helge Arends
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Fiscal Decentralization ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Local Context ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Service Provision

Abstract The prevailing belief is that local governments, which are closer to their citizens, can deliver public goods much more efficiently than a central government can. Yet skeptics argue that fiscal decentralization can be dangerous. The underlying motivation of this article is to review the basic rationale behind decentralizing public services from the perspective of three main controversies emerging from the literature on decentralization: (in)efficient, (un)equal, and (un)accountable service provision at the local level. For illustrative purposes, this review focuses on two complex and socially important sectors, health and education. The overall conclusion is that the dangers of decentralization are highly relevant to local public service provision, although there is evidence supporting both the decentralization-enthusiastic and the decentralization-skeptical views. When decentralizing public services, reformers should know the specificities of the public service, the local context, and the effects of the design of fiscal relations like the backs of their hands. If things go wrong, recentralization should be an option.

scholarly journals Fostering public accountability in South Africa: A reflection on challenges and successes

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pandelani H. Munzhedzi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Public Accountability ◽  
The Public ◽  
Current State ◽  
Public Service Provision ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Government

Accountability and oversight are constitutional requirements in all the spheres of government in the Republic of South Africa and their foundation is in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996. All spheres of government are charged with the constitutional mandate of providing public services. The level of responsibility and public services provision also goes with the level of capacity of a particular sphere. However, most of the direct and visible services that the public receives are at the local sphere of government. As such, enormous resources are channelled towards this sphere of government so that the said public services could be provided. It is imperative that the three spheres of government account for the huge expenditures during the public service provision processes. The parliaments of national and provincial governments exercise oversight and accountability over their executives and administrations through the Public Accounts Committees, while the local sphere of government relies on the Municipal Public Accounts Committees. This article is theoretical in nature, and it seeks to explore the current state of public accountability in South Africa and to evaluate possible measures so as to enhance public accountability. The article argues that the current public accountability mechanisms are not efficient and effective. It is recommended that these mechanisms ought to be enhanced by inter alia capacitating the legislative bodies at national, provincial and local spheres of the government.

scholarly journals Protracted Public Service Improvement at the Local Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Defny Holidin
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Service Improvement ◽  
Improvement Strategy ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
The Public

Artikel ini bertujuan pada eksaminasi kesesuaian agenda kebijakan sertifikasi pelayanan publik dengan mempertimbangkan kinerja pemerintahan daerah saat ini. Studi dilakukan dengan pendekatan kualitatif dengan pengumpulan data secara intensif yang menimbang spesifikasi konteks lokal menurut kebijakan desentralisasi yang menjadi arus utama reformasi struktural tata kelola pemerintahan di Indonesia. Meski standar pelayanan publik diberlakukan berdasarkan peraturan-peraturan turunan Undang-Undang Pelayanan Publik No. 25 Tahun 2009, upaya lebih lanjut oleh pemerintahan daerah tak pelak diperlukan. Studi ini dijalankan secara kualitatif di Surabaya, memperhitungkan posisinya pada papan atas pemerintahan daerah yang reformis dan inovatif. Studi ini terdiri atas analisis dokumen kebijakan dan wawancara mendalam untuk pengumpulan datanya. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa implementasi sertifikasi pelayanan publik sekiranya bisa mengarah pada penyesuaian struktural. Terlepas dari kategorisasi layanan pemerintah menurut karakternya masing-masing, berbagai penyesuaian struktural diperlukan menurut konteks masing-masing daerah. Pelibatan berbagai komunitas lokal perlu pengembangan lebih lanjut sebagai cara standar memastikan bahwa sertifikasi tidak hanya relevan tapi juga menjadi bagian integral dari strategi peningkatan pembangunan daerah. The article aims at examining the suitability of the policy agenda of public service certification for the prevalence of local governments' performance. I conduct qualitative approach with intensive data collection, considering of local context specificities upon which decentralization has been mainstreaming in the state structural reform in Indonesia. Although the public service standard takes into effects based on certain regulations derived from the Public Service Act 25/2009, efforts made by local government is deemed necessary. To make the study manageable, I conduct a case study qualitatively in Surabaya considering its prominence in local bureaucracy reform and innovation. I conduct a series of policy document analysis and in-depth interviews for data enquiry. I suggest that the implementation of public service certification is likely to lead to various adjustments towards strengthening the standards to be applied. Apart from categorizing the government services according to the different characteristics of each type of service, various structural adjustments are necessary according to the local context of each region. The local community involvement mechanism still needs improvements as standard enforcement in all regions so that public service certification is not only relevant but also an integral part of the local development improvement strategy.

Basic public services and the restructuring of the public finance system in China

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangjian Xu ◽  
Yan Wu
Keyword(s):  
Public Finance ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Finance System ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Service Provision

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the financing and provision of basic public services in China. The main issue addressed is how to reform the public finance system to achieve quality and fairness in the provision of basic public services. Design/methodology/approach Based on an historical analysis of the functional transformation of the public finance system in China and on an empirical analysis of the current public finance system and the public service provision system, a comprehensive understanding was gained about the relationship between the financing and provision of basic public services. Findings The paper argues that there is a close relationship between the provision of basic public services and the functional changes made to the public finance system. Based on a systematic retrospective study of the Chinese Government’s efforts to improve basic public services over the last three decades, this paper offers policy suggestions on further public finance restructuring that would support better service provision. Originality/value By analyzing issues in the public service provision system, this paper contributes to the debate about the efficiency improvement made to governmental functions in China.

Perceptions towards the quality of public services in Romania. Poor outcomes of public administration reforms?

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-285
Author(s):  
Claudia Petrescu ◽  
Flavis Mihalache
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Public Management ◽  
Public Services ◽  
New Public Management ◽  
Local Level ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Administration Reform

Public services represent an important dimension of quality of society, as they create the contextual conditions for people to further their quality of life. Romanian public administration reform has brought about a constant institutional transformation, which has influenced both the specific features and the quality of the services. This article aims to analyse trends regarding the perceived quality of public services in Romania, in European comparative perspective, using the data of the European Quality of Life Survey (2003–2016). The article aims to understand the low satisfaction with public services in Romania against the background of the public service reform measures taken by government in this period. The article describes the context of Romanian public administration and public service reform, the most important public policy measures adopted and the most important challenges. The lack of vision in the public service reform, the partial introduction of reform elements, the permanent and, sometimes, conflicting changes are issues that may have influenced the way in which the population perceives the quality of public services. The decentralisation process of public services and the insufficient allocation of public funds for delivering such services at local level might have an impact on their quality and quantity perceived by the population. Keywords: public services; public administration reform; citizens’ satisfaction; New Public Management; New Weberianism.

scholarly journals Public Private Partnership between Local Governments and Nonprofits in Japan

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Okuyama ◽  
Yu Ishida ◽  
Naoto Yamauchi
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Nonprofit Sector ◽  
Public Private Partnership ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Private Partnership ◽  
Public Service Provision

In the framework of public sector reform and the recently popularized concept of a “new public sphere,” attention has been focused on the significance and effectiveness of public private partnership (PPP). However, the smooth operation of PPP practice is yet to be realized, and the nonprofit sector still faces challenges in becoming a government partner in public service provision. We examine government behavior in PPP practice and its stance on partnership practice and collaborative relations with contemporary nonprofit organizations. Through public finance statistics and a unique set of variables, an empirical analysis reveals that the existence of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) positively affects local government decisions to implement PPP practices and outsource to NPOs for public service provision. Other influential factors include local governments’ budgetary conditions, attitudes towards public administration and finance, local chief executive characteristics, and neighboring local government behaviors.

scholarly journals An empirical study on application and efficiency of gridded management in public service supply of Chinese Government

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bai XiuYin ◽  
Muhammad Imran Hanif ◽  
Li Fensheng ◽  
Muhammad Shehzad Hanif ◽  
Gu Yinhua
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Operation Mode ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Service Provision ◽  
The Government ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

Purpose Gridded management in the public service supply is still in the experience exploratory stage, and this paper aims to analyze the inherent logic and operation mode of the gridding mechanism of the public supply based on the existing theory study and practices, and verify its efficiency so as to come to the conclusion whether it could be promoted to a wider range. Design/methodology/approach The methodology applied in this paper was case study/deductive induction. Findings The grid model in the public service supply needs to be demonstrated completely in theoretical logic and operation principles before it is promoted across the country. Meanwhile, full support of the government is required in terms of service concept, function distribution, technical parameters and infrastructure. Research limitations/implications The inherent logic and operation mode of the gridding mechanism of the public service supply needs enough practice tests. The practical test of efficiency analysis of the gridding mechanism of the public service supply is not enough. Social implications This paper validated whether the gridding mechanism that originated from China’s urban management can be promoted to all over the country in the public service supply. It provides references for government policy. Originality/value This paper constructs a gridded management model for public service provision in urban and rural areas on the basis of an analysis of the plight of traditional model of public service provision, thus delivering the same standard of public service for both urban and rural areas through optimization of resource allocation without requiring more supply and fundamental change to the content of service.

scholarly journals Bounded Rationality of Individual Action in the Consumption of Public Goods

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-194
Author(s):  
Beáta Mikušová Meričková ◽  
Nikoleta Jakuš Muthová
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Behavioural Economics ◽  
Warm Glow ◽  
Individual Action ◽  
Public Service Provision ◽  
Neoclassical Economic Theory ◽  
Rational Individual ◽  
New Perspective

AbstractIn order to gain a better understanding of human behaviour, Economics seeks to work with other disciplines such as Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology (Behavioural Economics). Unlike neoclassical economic theory, behavioural economics does not assume a rational individual. On the contrary, it focuses on an irrational (bounded rational) individual while revealing what really influences his decision and his actions in order to respond more adequately to public needs, increasing the efficiency of public-service provision. The aim of the paper is to investigate the factors of willingness to pay for public services. The willingness of individuals to pay depends on factors such as affection and sympathy, conviction, compassion, regret, respect, warm glow, commitment to society, appreciation, invitation to participation, fundraising method and tax policy. The significance of the research conclusions lies in initiating a new perspective on the possibilities of securing public services.

scholarly journals Who Is in Charge? The Provision of Informal Personal Resources at the Street Level

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Einat Lavee
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Personal Resources ◽  
The Public ◽  
Street Level ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Informal Service

Abstract Street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) nowadays provide services under conditions of increased demand for public services coupled with scarcer financial resources. The literature that focuses on how workers adapt to this situation mainly examines their provision of formal resources as part of their job. What researchers have not systematically examined is the delivery of informal personal resources (IFRs) by street-level workers to clients. Understanding the provision of IFRs is particularly important when “no one is fully in charge” of public services. Drawing on 214 in-depth qualitative interviews with SLBs who provide education, health, and welfare services in the public sector in Israel, we found a remarkable range of IFRs they provided to clients. We also found that four main factors influencing the provision of IFRs: lack of formal resources; professional commitment; managerial encouragement; and a work environment whose values combine old and new approaches to public service. The findings contribute to the public administration literature by exposing how public service function in a somewhat vague reality, and they contribute to the SLB literature by highlighting the unrecognized component of informal service provision.

Facilitating Public Service Provision: The Emerging Role of Municipal Television News in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 229 ◽  
pp. 130-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Production Process ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Television News ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Broadcast Media ◽  
News Reports ◽  
Public Service Provision ◽  
Local Officials

AbstractDespite strict state controls, negative news about local officials is reported in China. Faced with political constraints and the incentive and pressure to earn profits, municipal television news programmes have developed and adopted the life news model (minsheng xinwen), which aims to help citizens solve problems. The production process of this news model has transformed the political role of the broadcast media at the local level. Many life news reports focus on disputes between citizens and local officials. Thus, addressing citizen grievances essentially facilitates public service provision. Based on an ethnographic case study of a municipal television news programme, this article finds that the production process of life news reports can facilitate public service provision by correcting local officials’ behaviour, regardless of whether the news reports are eventually broadcast. This unintended role is a result of the power negotiation between local officials and journalists who face immense commercial pressure.

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