Guinea unrest is not yet a threat to stability

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mining Communities ◽  
The Military

Significance Recent demonstrations focused on the government’s failure to hold long-delayed municipal elections and voiced frustration with dysfunctional service delivery and deteriorating socio-economic conditions. As a result, President Alpha Conde has unveiled a new electoral code which could allow elections to be held in 2018. Impacts Conde’s grip on the military should ensure short-term stability. Modest growth is unlikely to lead to broader job creation and improvements in public service delivery. Protests in mining communities will persist over jobs and social services.

A review of Zimbabwe’s macro-fiscal forecasts

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chathebert Mudhunguyo
Keyword(s):  
Root Mean Square Error ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Mean Square Error ◽  
Root Mean Square ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Spillover Effects ◽  
Mean Square ◽  
Public Service Delivery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Forecasting Errors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate accuracy of macro fiscal forecasts done by Government of Zimbabwe and the spillover effects of forecasting errors over the period 2010-2015. Design/methodology/approach In line with the study objectives, the study employed the root mean square error methodology to measure the accuracy of macro fiscal forecasts, borrowing from the work of Calitz et al. (2013). The spillover effects were assessed through running simple regression in Eviews programme. The data used in the analysis are based on annual national budget forecasts presented to the Parliament by the Minister of Finance. Actual data come from the Ministry of Finance budget outturns and Zimbabwe Statistical Agency published national accounts. Findings The results of the root mean square error revealed relatively high levels of macro-fiscal forecasting errors, with revenue recording the highest. The forecasting errors display a tendency of under predicting the strength of economic recovery during boom and over predicting its strength during periods of weakness. The study although found significant evidence of GDP forecasting errors translating into revenue forecasting inaccuracies, the GDP forecasting errors fail to fully account for the revenue errors. Revenue errors were, however, found to be positive and significant in explaining the budget balance errors. Originality/value In other jurisdictions, particularly developed countries, they undertake regular evaluation of their forecasts in order to improve their forecasting procedures, which translate into quality public service delivery. The situation is lagging in Zimbabwe. Given the poor performance in public service delivery in Zimbabwe, this study contributes in dissecting the sources of the challenge by providing a comprehensive review of macro fiscal forecasts.

Prospects for free media in South Africa are bleak

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Political Parties ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chief Operating Officer ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Broadcaster ◽  
Major Shift ◽  
Nationalist Sentiment ◽  
Free Media

Significance The public broadcaster may appeal the ruling through the courts. Opposition parties have long bemoaned the dire state of the SABC, but recent controversial moves by Chief Operating Officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng are dividing the ANC itself. Impacts Social media will feature prominently in political parties' communication strategies ahead of municipal elections in August. Motsoeneng's ban on airing footage of demonstrations will not boost ANC support in protest-wrought Pretoria, where the DA has a clear lead. However, his requirement that 90% of music broadcast must be locally produced will stoke nationalist sentiment. Any major shift in SABC policy -- at least in the short term -- would have to be forced on the broadcaster through court orders.

Economic reform will falter with new Turkish cabinet

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Economic Reform ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Domestic Demand ◽  
Election Campaign ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Risks ◽  
Financial Difficulties

Significance Presenting his government's programme on November 25, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu promised to keep his election campaign pledges, complete major infrastructure projects, maintain fiscal stability and implement structural change. Impacts Domestic demand will strengthen in the short term. However, firms in labour intensive sectors may face financial difficulties, and new job creation may be slow. Currency and capital markets are likely to remain volatile and overreact to trends in monetary policy and the current account. Opportunities exist for those investors able to tap into the government's priorities and avoid political risks.

scholarly journals Contracting out parks and roads maintenance in England

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 441-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Dempsey ◽  
Mel Burton ◽  
Johanna Selin
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Public Service Delivery ◽  
Contracting Out ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Constraints

Purpose – Different models have been adopted in England over time to organise public service delivery. The purpose of this paper is to explore contracting-out, a prevalent model of public service delivery in England, in relation to parks and roads maintenance delivery by examining private contractors’ performance according to local authority stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach – Since the Conservative Government was in power during the 1980s, local authorities have been an arena for experimentation of contracting-out to private and other sectors. This paper provides a review of the academic and grey literature, and findings are presented from a large-scale online questionnaire survey (n=103) which was distributed to the relevant public realm managers in English local authorities. Findings – The paper shows that contracting-out of parks and roads maintenance happens across the country in different ways. By and large, local authorities are satisfied with the performance of contractors, particularly as a response to economic constraints. Responsibilities, particularly for parks, are increasingly shared with non-governmental organisations, including community groups, although this is not reflected in budget distribution. Research limitations/implications – Despite the efforts, the response rate was relatively low (32 per cent), potentially due to the e-mail communication and online nature of the questionnaire. Originality/value – The research provides empirical evidence about how contracting-out is currently delivering public services and how it has changed in recent years. The findings suggest that responsibilities (and to a lesser extent, budgets) are increasingly shared in England between different combinations of public, private, third and community sector stakeholders. This marks a shift away from in-house public sector delivery of parks and roads services.

Firm, industry, and country level determinants of capital structure: evidence from Pakistan

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanveer Ahsan ◽  
Man Wang ◽  
Muhammad Azeem Qureshi
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Capital Structure ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Governance Mechanism ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Firms ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Corporate Governance Mechanism

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find out firm, industry, and country level determinants of capital structure of Pakistani listed non-financial firms. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a fixed effects panel data model over a 39 years (1972-2010) unbalanced panel data of Pakistani non-financial listed firms to determine the factors that influence capital structure of these firms. Findings The authors find that Pakistani firms prefer retained earnings to finance their business projects, and debt is easily available for experienced firms. Moreover, socio-economic collusive networks, poor corporate governance mechanism along with weak legal system provide these firms an opportunity to pass on their risk to the creditors (banks). Research limitations/implications The data set does not contain factors characterizing inter-industry heterogeneity, therefore, the authors use mean industry leverage and mean industry profitability to explore if any relationship exists between leverage of firms, and their respective industry leverage/profitability. Practical implications Pakistani non-financial firms are highly leveraged increasing their probability to face financial distress in erratic economic conditions. As such, the policy makers need to develop capital markets of Pakistan to enable a resilient corporate capital structure. Further, erratic economic conditions of Pakistan create uncertain business environment yielding short-term opportunities and to finance them Pakistani firms use short-term debt as a main financing source. The policy makers need to improve corporate governance mechanism and strengthen legal system that will go a long way to develop Pakistani capital market on sound and sustainable footing. Originality/value This is the first study that uses an extended number of variables and discovers financial behavior of firms in a bank-based economy having limited financing options, and facing erratic economic conditions.

Professionalizing public service delivery

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 22-24
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Public Service ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Professional Status ◽  
Public Service Delivery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Ideological Tensions ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – To consider the concepts of amateurism and professionalism, distinguishing these from professional or amateur status. Design/methodology/approach – Outlines the drive for the professionalization of public service delivery in Europe. Explains how the divide between professional and amateur status has developed and considers its implications. Findings – You are about to have an operation: would you prefer a professionally qualified surgeon or an enthusiastic amateur? Professional status provides reassurance about competence, qualifications and standards. The professionalization of service delivery – particularly in the areas of education, health and social care – has been an issue for some time, especially in the UK. But more attention is also now being given to the contribution made by non-professionals such as teaching assistants, family carers and volunteers. Practical implications – Draws attention to the way new technologies are blurring the distinction between amateur and professional in many areas and providing new opportunities for them to work productively together. Social implications – Highlights the ideological tensions underlying the debate about professionalization, qualifications and how public services are delivered. Originality/value – Presents a wide-ranging discussion of the amateur–professional divide, the contributions made by each and the opportunities for further research in this area.

scholarly journals What factors contribute to the effectiveness of public service delivery networks? : the case of community networks of specialized care in Ontario

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Jaskulski
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Network Governance ◽  
Community Networks ◽  
Public Service Delivery ◽  
Specialized Care ◽  
Delivery Networks

The public administration literature in support of network governance has grown in the past two decades. Some empirical evidence suggests that if a range of public services are integrated through a network of service providers, a more coordinated seamless service system will be created, reducing fragmentation, gaps, and replication of services, and increasing capacity to plan for and address complex problems with improved client outcomes. There is limited empirical evidence about the factors that contribute to the effectiveness of public service delivery networks. The Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services moved to a network model of service delivery in 2005 to address the needs of citizens with developmental disabilities and mental health/behaviour problems. Using secondary sources and key informant interviews, this research analyzes the factors that contribute to the effectiveness of social service delivery networks by examining Community Networks of Specialized Care in Ontario four years after implementation.

Burkina Faso leader to accelerate reform programme

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Ivory Coast ◽  
Central Issue ◽  
Rural Roads ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Reform Programme ◽  
The Military ◽  
Positive Results

Subject Prospects for reform. Significance President Roch Marc Christian Kabore's track record -- after six months in office -- has been mixed. In particular, his ability to deliver on his electoral pledges has been curbed by funding constraints and rising insecurity, while critical reforms to the military, judiciary and public service are proceeding slowly. However, some social programmes have produced positive results. Impacts High security spending will likely elicit popular support given widespread concerns over banditry, especially along rural roads. Kabore's links with the former Compaore regime may prove damaging in the future if the opposition drives it as a central issue. Xenophobia against Burkinabe immigrants in Ivory Coast could resurge, especially if that country's economy slows.

State taxes rise to cope with recession in Brazil

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Networks ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Electricity Distribution ◽  
State Governments ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Municipal Elections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Taxes ◽  
The Poor ◽  
State Taxes

Significance The agency noted the likelihood of a worsening debt position and that 'challenging political dynamics' limit prospects for fiscal reform. Meanwhile, state governments have raised taxes on consumption, further crimping short-term economic recovery. In a context of rising unemployment and declining spending, increasing taxation offers another constraint on local businesses, which rely on the sluggish domestic market. Impacts To avoid hitting the poor, tax hikes target non-essential consumer goods, such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco and electronics. However, they also affect electricity distribution and communication providers, including mobile networks and cable. Cities and towns may also raise local taxes on property and services, but only after the 2016 municipal elections.

Turkey's Kurdish guerrilla war will not end soon

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Islamic State ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Guerrilla War ◽  
Turkish State ◽  
State Group ◽  
The Military

Significance This is one of the few successes the military have had on the ground since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ended the ceasefire with the PKK on July 24. Impacts The Turkish state will sustain heavy daily casualties inviting ever-stronger retaliation, although what shape this may take is not clear. Despite attacks on it from government politicians, the HDP will retain enough support to get into the next parliament. The struggle with Islamic State group will take second place in government eyes to fighting the PKK. There will be strains between the PKK and HDP, but probably no overt split between them ın the short term.

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