scholarly journals Reconsidering public budgeting after the COVID-19 outbreak: key lessons and future challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 957-965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenio Anessi-Pessina ◽  
Carmela Barbera ◽  
Cecilia Langella ◽  
Francesca Manes-Rossi ◽  
Alessandro Sancino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Budgeting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Italian Context ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Financial Impacts ◽  
Governmental Budgeting ◽  
Timely Topic

PurposeThe paper aims to offer a viewpoint on how governmental budgeting needs to be reconsidered after the COVID-19 outbreak.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on extant research, and drawing on the Italian context, the paper provides reflections on four interrelated aspects: (1) how budgeting and reporting processes and formats are being modified; (2) how budgeting may enhance governments' financial resilience; (3) how citizens are involved in the budgeting cycles and (4) how emergency responses may produce opportunities for corruption.FindingsTo tackle COVID-19 related challenges, budgeting, rebudgeting, reporting processes and formats need to be reconsidered and supported by the development of new competencies. Governments will need to put stronger emphasis on the anticipatory and coping roles of budgeting to reduce public organizations' exposure to shocks and support governmental resilience. The involvement of citizens has proven critical to face the pandemic and will become increasingly relevant due to the financial impacts of COVID-19 on future public service provision. Greater attention to the risks of increased corruption is also needed.Originality/valueDrawing lessons from one of the countries most hit by COVID-19, the paper offers a viewpoint on a timely topic of international relevance by looking in an integrated way at interrelated topics such as budgeting, rebudgeting, reporting, financial resilience, coproduction and corruption.

AI and libraries: trends and projections

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adetoun A. Oyelude
Keyword(s):  
Language Processing ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Human Intelligence ◽  
Library Service ◽  
Robot Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
Advanced Technologies

Purpose This paper aims to focus on the trends and projection for future use of artificial intelligence (AI) in libraries. AI technologies is the latest among the technologies being used in libraries. The technology has systems that have natural language processing, machine learning and pattern recognition capabilities that make service provision easier for libraries. Design/methodology/approach Systematic literature review is done, exploring blogs and wikis, to collect information on the ways in which AI is used and can be futuristically used in libraries. Findings This paper found that uses of AI in libraries entailed enhanced services such as content indexing, document matching, content mapping content summarization and many others. AI possibilities were also found to include improving the technology of gripping, localizing and human–robot interaction and also having artificial superintelligence, the hypothetical AI that surpasses human intelligence and abilities. Originality/value It is concluded that advanced technologies that AI are, will help librarians to open up new horizons and solve challenges that crop up in library service delivery.

An evaluation of German active labour market policies: a review of the empirical evidence

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Zoellner ◽  
Michael Fritsch ◽  
Michael Wyrwich
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Active Labour Market Policy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Policy ◽  
Active Labour Market Policies ◽  
Active Labour ◽  
Future Challenges

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the results of studies that investigate the most important active labour market policy (ALMP) measures in Germany. A focus is also on programmes devoted to foster entrepreneurship which can make important contributions to a country’s growth and social welfare.Design/methodology/approachThe study relies on quantitative and qualitative assessments and a comparison of results of previous studies on ALMPs.FindingsThe available evidence suggests that most ALMP measures increase labour market prospects of the participants. In particular, evaluations of the entrepreneurship promotion activities show high success rates as well as high cost efficiency. The bulk share of participants of entrepreneurship measures is still self-employed after several years and nearly one-third of these businesses had at least one employee. The authors mention problems regarding the evaluation of previous programmes and highlight future challenges of German ALMP.Originality/valueThis is the first study on ALMP that has an extensive and explicit focus on entrepreneurship-promoting programs.

scholarly journals Product returns: a growing problem for business, society and environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1613-1621
Author(s):  
Regina Frei ◽  
Lisa Jack ◽  
Steve Brown
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Business And Society ◽  
Product Returns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Operational Management ◽  
Functional Teams ◽  
Financial Impacts

PurposeThis article sheds light onto the increasing problem of product returns, which is exacerbated by growing e-commerce. Many retailers and academics are oblivious to the nature and scale of this challenge. Interdisciplinary research is needed to develop supporting theory, and cross-functional teams are required to implement measures addressing economic, ecological and social sustainability issues.Design/methodology/approachThe initial project adopted a multi-case study approach, whereby returns processes were mapped, vulnerabilities identified and a returns cost calculator was developed.FindingsProduct returns processes are usually complicated, prone to internal and external fraud, inefficient and lack sustainability. They can generate considerable losses to the business, especially as returns data are often not systematically collected, monitored or reported to senior management. There are important implications for strategic and operational management, namely the need to develop a concept for Lean returns systems.Originality/valueProduct returns are a unique and understudied but growing field in academic research, with only few publications over the last two decades. Yet the phenomenon is causing increasing problems in business and society. Robust solutions could achieve great financial and non-financial impacts.

scholarly journals Online disclosure practices of halal-friendly hotels

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikram Nur Muharam ◽  
Mehmet Asutay
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Marketing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Random Samples ◽  
Halal Food ◽  
Islamic Identity ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Fresh Insight ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This research analyses the online disclosure practices of halal-friendly hotels, denoting their service provision within “halal” expectancies. This study aims to discover the halal attributes commonly used in the online marketing practices of halal-friendly hotels. Design/methodology/approach The methods used in this study include a deductive approach through literature, which was then followed by an initial investigation of several random samples that produced 24 points of halal-friendly attributes, and then content analysis to find out the online disclosure practices of 55 halal-friendly hotels. Further insights gathered through analysis of the use of Islamic images and symbols; also, by examining the nexus between the disclosure level and other variables such as halal-friendly certification level, star-level and guest ratings. Findings The results show that most hotels classify themselves as halal-friendly by providing information that articulates Islamic identity or by informing the existence of prayer facilities. Information displayed includes halal food, halal places, alcohol-free policy, prayer facilities and Qibla direction. Furthermore, image analysis shows that almost all hotels use human photographs, and the preferred gender is male; only a few hotels expose Islamic symbols. Most hotels maintain a neutral impression by avoiding “Islamised gender” and not overly emphasising Islamic images. Otherwise, halal-friendly certification level is positively correlated with the disclosure level. Practical implications The results provide a fresh insight regarding the online marketing practices of the halal-friendly hotels and could be used as a benchmark by the practitioners. Originality/value This topic is still unexplored; it shows this research originality.

scholarly journals Immersive information behaviour: using the documents of the future

2015 ◽  
Vol 116 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 112-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Information Service ◽  
Information Services ◽  
Sensory Interaction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Information Behaviour ◽  
Selective Analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the case for studies of information behaviour in the use of immersive documents. Immersive documents, where unreality is perceived as reality, arise from a combination of rapidly developing technologies and applications: pervasive and networked information, multi-sensory interaction and the creation of participatory texts. Design/methodology/approach – A critical and selective analysis of relevant literature is presented. Findings – Immersive documents are likely to have a significant effect on library/information service provision, as it is to expected that novel information behaviours will emerge as these documents become widely used. Studies of immersive information behaviour and practices will be valuable in planning for how library/information services can best provide access to such documents, and may also guide the development of such documents. They may also contribute to the development of information behaviour research generally, and to better interaction between research and practice. Research limitations/implications – As such documents are not yet in wide use, the conclusions are necessarily speculative. Originality/value – This is the first paper to discuss information behaviour in respect of immersive documents.

Training for event volunteers: factors influencing event managers' resource allocation decision-making

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Leigh ◽  
Grant Cairncross ◽  
Matthew Lamont
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Volunteer Training ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Special Events ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Intervening Variables ◽  
Event Managers

PurposeManaging special events which utilise volunteer labour presents unique challenges due to the time-bound and infrequent nature of events, coupled with the non-traditional employment contractual basis associated with volunteers. Having committed, well-trained volunteers can sometimes be the difference between success and failure for an event. This paper explores factors shaping event managers' decision-making in relation to allocating organisational resources towards training for event volunteers.Design/methodology/approachUtilising qualitative methods, a sample of senior event managers practicing within Australia were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Their attitudes towards, and factors shaping, their decision-making in relation to allocating organisational resources towards training for event volunteers were analysed and discussed through an interpretive lens.FindingsSix intervening variables which shaped event managers' decisions to resource volunteer training were identified. These six variables both shaped and constrained event managers' decisions to resource and implement volunteer training.Originality/valueThe study highlights factors that need to be considered when considering attaining festival attendance satisfaction with volunteers’ service provision through training. This work also contributes to future discussions about the value of volunteer training to event success.

Representative and responsive bureaucracy in Nepal: a mismatch or a realistic assumption?

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-156
Author(s):  
Ishtiaq Jamil ◽  
Hasan Muhammad Baniamin
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Civil Service ◽  
Representative Bureaucracy ◽  
Ethnic Communities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Realistic Assumption ◽  
The Government ◽  
Factual Data

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate, firstly, to what extent has Nepal’s bureaucracy become representative in terms of reflecting the country’s demographic composition, and secondly, has the bureaucracy become more responsive to citizens since the implementation of a quota policy in 2007.Design/methodology/approachThis paper relies on factual and perceptual data in analysis. In order to analyze and interpret representative bureaucracy, this paper adopts factual data derived from the secondary sources, especially data generated by the Government of Nepal. Second, the perceptual set of data was collected through two rounds (2008, 2014) of a country-representative survey in Nepal.FindingsThe findings suggest that in terms of representativeness, the bureaucracy is still dominated by high-caste Hindus, while other ethnic communities, except the Newars, are utterly under-represented. Surprisingly, Dalits are represented in higher posts as per their percentage in the population, but they are still underrepresented in the civil service in general. Women’s representation has also increased through participation in the civil service, but they still mostly hold junior or non-gazetted posts. Citizens’ evaluations regarding responsiveness and processes of service provision are also mixed.Originality/valueThis paper is a unique attempt to understand the aspects of representativeness and responsiveness in relation to Nepalese Civil Service.

The challenges of an integrated governance process in healthcare

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori Delaney
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Delivery Of Healthcare ◽  
Content Type ◽  
System Failures ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
Governance Process ◽  
Governance Processes

Purpose – Dysfunctional governance processes have contributed to catastrophic healthcare system failures due to discordance between clinical and corporate governance processes. The emergence of an integrated governance approach endeavours to overcome the traditional boundaries between corporate and clinical governance systems, to enhance understanding and transparency in the organisations approach to service provision. The purpose of this paper is to discusses the attributes of an integrated governance approach and its contribution to enhancing service delivery. Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an overview of the governance approaches and the emergence of integrated governance to improve overall service delivery. Findings – An integrated governance approach erodes the traditional boundaries that exist within the complex healthcare system. This allows for a greater understanding of healthcare strategies and organisational objectives, and the dissemination of these throughout the organisation. Further, enhancing awareness within the clinical setting of the core attributes of the organisation and for the upper echelons of management to have a greater understanding of the clinical issues. Integrated governance acknowledges the contribution of all stakeholders including consumers in safe guarding the delivery of healthcare and its standards. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the discussion and debate regarding governance approaches and how these are situated in enhancing organisational performance.

scholarly journals Open access and document supply

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Schöpfel
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Legal Compliance ◽  
Interlibrary Loan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Open Access Journals ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an overview and update of what one actually knows about the impact of open access on inter-lending and document supply. Design/methodology/approach – A review of recent papers, published after the Berlin Declaration on Open Access in 2003. Findings – Everything seems to oppose document supply and open access. Open access has contributed to the recent decline of interlibrary loan (ILL) and document supply requests but is not the only reason and probably not the most important. Open repositories and open-access journals have the potential to substitute ILL and document supply; yet for different reasons, including legal compliance, this substitution remains of limited interest. ILL and document supply institutions have started to integrate open access into their workflow and service provision in different ways, and the paper provides a conceptual framework with some perspectives for further service development. Originality/value – Paradoxically, relatively few papers make the link between open access and document supply, with empirical and/or conceptual elements. This paper proposes a synthesis and opens perspectives for future development and research.

Social enterprise in South Korea

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deok Soon Hwang ◽  
Wonbong Jang ◽  
Joon-Shik Park ◽  
Shinyang Kim
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Social Goals ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Background ◽  
Broad Array ◽  
Enterprise Models ◽  
Work Integration

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the socio-economic background and development of social enterprises in Korea and identify representative social enterprise models. Design/methodology/approachThe typology used in this study focuses on the interaction between civil society, the state and the market in their efforts to solve social problems. As a result, the typology is mainly related with social goals, although the organizational form is also taken into consideration when selecting representative social enterprises in each type so as to present a broad array of developmental histories. FindingsThis paper identified four types of social enterprises: work integration social enterprises; social service provision social enterprises; regional regeneration social enterprises; and alter-economy social enterprises. These types are not immutable; another form of social enterprise might emerge to address a new social issue and lead to a new strand of similar social enterprises. Originality/valueThis study found that the goals of social enterprises in Korea share common characteristics with those of social enterprises in European countries. Another outstanding feature of Korean social enterprises is that most social enterprises other than work integration social enterprises also regard work integration or job creation for the disadvantaged people as one of their important social missions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document