scholarly journals Does PAPI monitoring improve local governance? Evidence from a natural experiment in Vietnam

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Giang ◽  
Cuong Nguyen ◽  
Anh Tran
Keyword(s):  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Local Decision ◽  
Quality Of Governance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of monitoring local authorities on the quality of governance and public services reported by citizens in Vietnam, using the Vietnam Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) surveys. Design/methodology/approach PAPI randomly selected 200 locations in 93 districts of 30 provinces to conduct its survey in 2010, and subsequently rolled out the survey nationally in 2011 and 2012. Using 2011 and 2012 survey data, the authors compare the quality of governance and public services reported in provinces and districts that were covered in the 2011 PAPI survey with those that were not surveyed in 2010. Theories suggest that local authorities may improve their behavior if they have been surveyed and are, thus, aware that they are being monitored, leading to higher quality governance. Findings In this paper, the authors find that governance quality reported in later years by citizens in the surveyed provinces and districts of the 2010 PAPI survey was significantly higher than the quality reported by citizens in locations that were not surveyed in 2010. Monitoring appears to improve a wide range of governance aspects, including local participation in village decisions, transparency of local decision-making, accountability, administrative procedures and public service delivery. Originality/value The main innovation of this study is to use a randomized survey on governance as a natural experiment to measure the impact of monitoring on the quality of governance and public services, as reported by citizens.

scholarly journals An Adaptive Bitrate Switching Algorithm for Speech Applications in Context of WebRTC

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Mohannad Alahmadi ◽  
Peter Pocta ◽  
Hugh Melvin
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
Quality Of Experience ◽  
End User ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Switching Algorithm ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) combines a set of standards and technologies to enable high-quality audio, video, and auxiliary data exchange in web browsers and mobile applications. It enables peer-to-peer multimedia sessions over IP networks without the need for additional plugins. The Opus codec, which is deployed as the default audio codec for speech and music streaming in WebRTC, supports a wide range of bitrates. This range of bitrates covers narrowband, wideband, and super-wideband up to fullband bandwidths. Users of IP-based telephony always demand high-quality audio. In addition to users’ expectation, their emotional state, content type, and many other psychological factors; network quality of service; and distortions introduced at the end terminals could determine their quality of experience. To measure the quality experienced by the end user for voice transmission service, the E-model standardized in the ITU-T Rec. G.107 (a narrowband version), ITU-T Rec. G.107.1 (a wideband version), and the most recent ITU-T Rec. G.107.2 extension for the super-wideband E-model can be used. In this work, we present a quality of experience model built on the E-model to measure the impact of coding and packet loss to assess the quality perceived by the end user in WebRTC speech applications. Based on the computed Mean Opinion Score, a real-time adaptive codec parameter switching mechanism is used to switch to the most optimum codec bitrate under the present network conditions. We present the evaluation results to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach when compared with the default codec configuration in WebRTC.

scholarly journals Aid for food security: does it work?

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivica Petrikova
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Development Aid ◽  
Bilateral Aid ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Of Governance ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to existing literature by examining whether development aid has any measurable impact on food security, whether the impact is conditioned on the quality of governance and whether it differs based on the type of aid provided. Design/methodology/approach – Panel-data analysis of 85 developing countries between 1994 and 2011, using generalized method of moments and two-stage least squares estimators. Findings – The paper finds that aid in general has a small positive impact on food security; that multilateral aid, grants and social and economic aid have a positive effect on food security in their own right, and that bilateral aid, loans and agricultural aid are more conditioned on the quality of governance that other aid. Research limitations/implications – The main limitations rest with the imperfect nature of cross-country data on food security and governance, which I have tried to overcome through a series of robustness tests. Practical implications – The findings suggest that aid, despite its many deficiencies, can play a positive role in strengthening food security. Furthermore, they indicate that concessional loans, bilateral aid and agricultural aid are likely to foster food security only in countries with better governance. Originality/value – The paper constitutes a novel contribution to existing literature because it is one of the first to use cross-country data to explore the impact of aid on food security and because it utilizes a relatively complex aid categorization, which allows its conclusions to be more nuanced.

Do infrastructure and quality of governance matter for manufacturing productivity? Empirical evidence from the Indian states

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 829-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupika Khanna ◽  
Chandan Sharma
Keyword(s):  
State Level ◽  
Indian States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Infrastructure ◽  
Quality Of Governance ◽  
Governance Quality ◽  
Manufacturing Productivity ◽  
Indian Industries ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of infrastructure and governance quality on the state-level productivity of Indian manufacturing for the period 2008–2011. Design/methodology/approach The authors first rank Indian states on their quality of governance using benefit-of-the-doubt approach. Next, to explain state-level differences in total factor productivity (TFP), the authors assess the impact of a composite index of governance on industrial TFP of Indian states using alternate techniques and controlling for endogeneity. The authors also decompose the composite effect of governance in terms of economic, social and financial infrastructure and other key governance dimensions, which serves as another robustness check for the findings. Findings The authors find that TFP varies significantly across states, so does governance quality. Further, results suggest that TFP of Indian industries is sensitive toward public service deliveries of economic, social and financial infrastructure. However, the authors fail to find any impact of law and order indicators, for instance, rate of violent crimes, police strength and judicial service quality on the manufacturing productivity. The estimated coefficient of governance index is robust across alternate methodologies. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to assess the impact of regional governance factors on the manufacturing sector of India. The study has identified governance factors that impact manufacturing productivity in the Indian states. Findings suggest that an effective way to eliminate regional growth inequality in India is to ensure that the lagging states initiate reforms to improve the quality of institutions, regulation and governance. Findings of the study contribute to the limited literature on governance at the regional/sub-national level.

Sociological analysis of the factors influencing citizens' attitudes to local governments in Ukraine

2021 ◽  
pp. 105-115
Author(s):  
OLGA BUROVA
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Voting Behavior ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Local Administration ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Local Public Services ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Ukrainian Society

The paper focuses on the main factors forming public attitudes towards local authorities in Ukraine. The way that a person thinks and feels about a particular politician, an elected official or a local administration largely determines his/her voting behavior ― hence the relevance of the research topic. Local governments are responsible for delivering a wide range of services to citizens; therefore, it makes sense to analyze the citizens’ satisfaction with the quality of (and access to) certain services and compare these figures with the overall attitude to local authorities (which can correspond to a respondent’s evaluation of the authorities’ work in general). The findings of a recent (September–October 2020) nationwide survey titled “Ukrainian society: Monitoring social changes” will constitute an empirical basis for the analysis. The survey, which is annually conducted by the Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, involves measuring respondents’ satisfaction with a number of items related to the performance of local governments (with regard to the respondent’s place of residence). These items include utility service quality, road conditions, the availability of playgrounds and sports facilities, the work of a local police department, the availability and quality of services provided by preschools and schools, the quality of healthcare services, etc., as well the ability of local authorities to respond to the demands of ordinary citizens. The survey participants are also asked to evaluate the work of a local administration or a city/town mayor. The data of “Ukrainian society” for the year 2020 show that the majority of this country’s population felt totally or partially dissatisfied with local public services (except for those offered by preschools and schools), and they did not consider local governments responsive to people’s demands either. Besides, many respondents gave a negative evaluation to the overall work of local administrations. Drawing upon these data, the author concludes that there is a link between a person’s satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the quality of local public services and his/her positive or negative attitude towards the local authorities. It is suggested that the obtained results be taken into account when analyzing other aspects concerning local governments (e. g. a respondent’s trust in governmental institutions), especially if the respondent is not inclined to express his/her opinion openly. Special attention is also given to resident surveys as a tool for improving the well-being and quality of life for citizens and communities.

Banking services for SMEs' internationalization: evaluating customer satisfaction

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Formisano ◽  
Andrea Moretta Tartaglione ◽  
Maria Fedele ◽  
Ylenia Cavacece
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Kano Model ◽  
Banking Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
International Activities ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the quality of banking services provided in support of small- and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) internationalization from the customers' perspective.Design/methodology/approachCustomer satisfaction of 50 Italian SMEs with the banking services provided for international activities has been evaluated by adopting the Kano model's continuous and discrete analyses.FindingsResults show which banking services provided for business internationalization are necessary to satisfy customers' expectations, which services customers like having and dislike not having and which services are unexpected by customers creating a high increase in satisfaction when provided.Research limitations/implicationsThis work shows the value of the Kano model in evaluating the non-linear relationship between customer satisfaction and quality of banking services for the international activities of companies. The main limitation of this work is the limited geographical context of the investigation.Practical implicationsThis research suggests banks to transform their role in the relationship with SMEs from mere financiers to active partners committed to their growth abroad by offering a wide range of services not just financial, but also counselling and care professional, thus achieving mutual benefits.Originality/valuePrevious works on banking services and business internationalization are focussed on the transaction costs, information asymmetries and the impact of online banking. This work advances available knowledge by analysing the customer's point of view, evaluating the satisfaction of SMEs which, although more dependent on banks for their expansion abroad than large listed companies, are mostly ignored by literature.

The impact of tuberous sclerosis complex – a parent’s perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-75
Author(s):  
Helen Willacy
Keyword(s):  
Tuberous Sclerosis ◽  
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex ◽  
Professional Service ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Her Family ◽  
Accessible Information ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the impact of having a child with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Design/methodology/approach – The author explains the process her family has been through on their TSC journey. Findings – Several themes emerge from the author’s story: a lack of awareness about relatively common conditions such as epilepsy; a dearth of accessible information provided to families; delays in identification/assessment and a lack of follow up on parents’ concerns; the wide range in the quality of advice provided from one professional/service to another; the extent to which parents have to advocate for their children and the importance of social support. Originality/value – Few journal articles explore the impact of complex health conditions on families from their perspective and in their own words. This thought provoking viewpoint piece provides a powerful insight into the reality of having a child with TSC.

scholarly journals Governance and administration in Sri Lanka: trends, tensions, and prospects

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-198
Author(s):  
Ramesh Ramasamy
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Policy Reforms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Of Governance ◽  
Governance Quality ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the status of governance and administration in Sri Lanka in light of current crises and the impact on the quality of governance.Design/methodology/approachThe mixed method approach is employed to explore the problem based on secondary data and results from two major surveys.FindingsThis paper shows political and administrative commitment and quality of governance are two basic ingredients for rapid development and fighting administrative malpractices. Sri Lanka’s system of governance is a mixture of paternalism and alliance developed through political dynasty, kinship, ethnicity, caste, religion, and elitism.Originality/valueThis study fills the research gap as few studies have examined the recent crises of Sri Lanka’s governance and the impacts on governance quality.Policy implicationsOnly by implementing administrative and policy reforms will not improve governance quality in the absence of strong political and bureaucratic commitment. Moreover, global anti-corruption measures are unlikely to work in the Sri Lankan context.

Income and Life Quality of Farmer Households Suffering Social Exclusion

2012 ◽  
pp. 63-87
Author(s):  
Anh Mai Ngoc ◽  
Ha Do Thi Hai ◽  
Huyen Nguyen Thi Ngoc
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Statistical Method ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Economic Aspect ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
The Impact

This study uses descriptive statistical method to analyze the income and life qual- ity of 397 farmer households who are suffering social exclusion in an economic aspect out of a total of 725 households surveyed in five Northern provinces of Vietnam in 2010. The farmers’ opinions of the impact of the policies currently prac- ticed by the central government and local authorities to give them access to the labor market are also analyzed in this study to help management officers see how the poli- cies affect the beneficiaries so that they can later make appropriate adjustments.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Quality of Irrigation Machinery by Monitoring Changes in the Coefficients of Uniformity and Non-Uniformity of Irrigation

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1499
Author(s):  
Ján Jobbágy ◽  
Peter Dančanin ◽  
Koloman Krištof ◽  
Juraj Maga ◽  
Vlastimil Slaný
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Joint Stock Company ◽  
Stock Company ◽  
Uniformity Coefficient ◽  
Quality Of Work ◽  
Total Length ◽  
Irrigation Uniformity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Recently, the development of agricultural technology has been focused on achieving higher reliability and quality of work. The aim of the presented paper was to examine the possibilities of evaluating the quality of work of wide-area irrigation machinery by monitoring the coefficients of uniformity and non-uniformity of irrigation. The object of the research was pivot irrigation machinery equipped with sprinklers with a total length from 230 to 540 m. The commonly applied quality of work parameter for wide-range irrigators is the irrigation uniformity coefficient according to Heermann and Hein CUH. Work quality evaluations were also carried out through other parameters applicable in practice, such as irrigation uniformity coefficients calculated according to Christiansen CU, Wilcox and Swailes Cws, and our introduced parameters, the coefficient ar (derived from the degree of unevenness according to Oehler) and the degree of uniformity γr (derived from the degree of non-uniformity according to Voight). Other applied parameters for determining the quality of work of wide-range irrigation machinery were the coefficients of irrigation uniformity according to Hart and Reynolds CUhr, further according to Criddle CUcr and subsequently according to Beale and Howell CUbr. Next, the parameters of the non-uniformity coefficient according to Oehler a, the coefficient of variation according to Stefanelli Cv, the degree of non-uniformity according to Voigt γ and the degree of non-uniformity according to Hofmeister Ef were evaluated. Field tests were performed during the growing season of cultivated crops (potatoes, corn and sugar beet) in the village of Trakovice (agricultural enterprise SLOV-MART, southwest of the Slovakia) and in the district of Piešťany (Agrobiop, joint stock company). During the research, the inlet operating parameters (speed stage, inlet pressure, irrigation dose), technical parameters (number of sprayers, total length, number of chassis) and weather conditions (wind speed and temperature) were recorded. The obtained results were examined by one-way ANOVA analysis depending on the observed coefficient or input conditions and subsequently verified by Tukey and Duncan tests as needed. Irrigation uniformity values ranged from 67.58% (Cws) to 95.88% (CUbh) depending on the input conditions. Irrigation non-uniformity values ranged from 8.58 (a, Ef) to 32.42% (Cv). The results indicate a statistically significant effect of the site of interest and thus the impact of particular field conditions (p < 0.05). When evaluating the application of different coefficients of irrigation uniformity, the results showed a statistically significant effect only in the first test (p = 0.03, p < 0.05). During further repeated measurements, the quality of work increased due to the performed inspection of all sprayers and the reduction in the influence of the wind.

scholarly journals Natural Experiment on Trade and Investment Liberalization and Soft Drink Consumption

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Tcholakov
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
International Trade ◽  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Soft Drink ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
P Value ◽  
Soft Drink Consumption ◽  
Obesity And Diabetes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Globalization is recognized to as a contributing factor to a health harming environment through a variety of mechanisms including through changes in food systems and food availability. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is linked to obesity and diabetes and its regulation is a key priority for public health. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is an international trade agreement between 11 countries. Methods This project uses of natural experiment methods to predict the impact of the entry into force of the CPTPP on SSB consumption. These methods allow quantitative inferences to be drawn in the situations where the exposure is not randomly assigned. Soft drink consumption data was collected from the Euromonitor database for 80 countries from all regions. This data was used to estimate the effect of agreements similar to the TPP. Results Eleven country trade agreement pairs were identified. In 5 cases out of the 11, the exposed country had a higher soft drink consumption at five years after the trade agreement. The effect of the trade agreement exposure for an average country in the sample in a trade agreement was found to be 1.10 (95% CI: 1.01-1.18; p-value: 0.03) after adjusting for GDP and the involvement of the US. In 7 of the 11 member-countries soft drink consumption is expected to increase yielding an average increase of 9.0% in those countries; the changes did not yield statistically significant differences in others. Conclusions This projected extended the use of synthetic methods to the projection of future effects of policy implementation. While it showed that there may be increasing trend of SSB consumption in certain scenarios, this could not be generalized to all cases. This illustrates the wide range of effects of international trade liberalization and highlights that national policy probably plays a strong modulating role on the impact that it has on local food environments. Key messages Globalization can lead to health harming environments and its impacts should further be studied by public health professionals and researchers. Many global policies have the potential to lead to significant health impacts but are negotiated without involving public health experts.

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