Citizen Participation and Political Accountability for Public Service Delivery in India

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Blair

A state’s accountability to its citizens for public service delivery constitutes a central component of the democratic polity. But how to assure this accountability? The answer lies in the linkage between citizens and some combination of elected political leaders and those they direct to provide the services. In India over recent decades, a host of mechanisms has emerged to provide that linkage, some of them quite potent. Building on the World Bank’s 2003 principal–agent model of long and short routes to state accountability, this article argues for a distinct third civil society route. It then explores the paths these three routes can take and their potential effectiveness in providing citizens a number of institutional mechanisms to hold political leaders and public service providers accountable, improve service delivery, empower poor people and ultimately enhance well-being.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 355
Author(s):  
Nkrumah K. Osei

Based on qualitative data from Ghana, this article explores the issues of governance and the extent to which its potential affects the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs). The article argues that, although it is largely understood that governance is about the practice of good government, its potential impact on the implementation of SDGs is limited in Ghana. This study advances that, while the implementation of SDGs in Ghana has paved the way for the application of good governance practice, in some cases, it is still trapped in the institutional and network framework that is touted to hamper quality public service delivery development and progress. However, it is suggested in this context that effective implementation of SDGs can be met if the systems and structures of governance are appropriately aligned using proper checks and balances. Additionally, the level of commitment, rule of law, and accountability must be improved to ensure equal participation for all. Finally, corruption must be fought to restore public confidence in the institutions of government and public sector networks while maintaining public trust and performance management with citizen participation to achieve effective public service delivery.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Jaskulski

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2(J)) ◽  
pp. 188-198
Author(s):  
Wadesango N. ◽  
Mhaka C. ◽  
Chikomo T. ◽  
Wadesango V O

 This theoretical paper was undertaken to ascertain the causes of poor service delivery and to establish if outsourcing of public service delivery could be used to improve local Authority services. It interrogated and critiqued documents on what other researchers in their different contexts had established in view of the feasibility of outsourcing as a strategy to improve service delivery. It emerged in this study that political interference, lack of citizen participation. lack of funds and corruption were the main causes of poor service delivery in local authorities. Therefore, outsourcing was seen to bring quality and affordable services for the public while costs savings and emergence of hidden costs were the financial implications unveiled for the local authorities (LAs). Social costs, accountability for public service delivery and quality shading were cited to be the outsourcing challenges.  It also emerged in this study that outsourcing can increase service quality and provide affordable services for the public. Taking into account the information that was accumulated and examined, the researchers came to the conclusion that the current services being offered by local authorities are very poor and this is attributed to many causes such as political interference, lack of citizen participation, lack of funds and corruption. The study therefore, concludes that outsourcing could be a feasible option to use to improve service delivery by local authorities. 


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Jaskulski

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 188
Author(s):  
Wadesango N. ◽  
Mhaka C. ◽  
Chikomo T. ◽  
Wadesango V O

 This theoretical paper was undertaken to ascertain the causes of poor service delivery and to establish if outsourcing of public service delivery could be used to improve local Authority services. It interrogated and critiqued documents on what other researchers in their different contexts had established in view of the feasibility of outsourcing as a strategy to improve service delivery. It emerged in this study that political interference, lack of citizen participation. lack of funds and corruption were the main causes of poor service delivery in local authorities. Therefore, outsourcing was seen to bring quality and affordable services for the public while costs savings and emergence of hidden costs were the financial implications unveiled for the local authorities (LAs). Social costs, accountability for public service delivery and quality shading were cited to be the outsourcing challenges.  It also emerged in this study that outsourcing can increase service quality and provide affordable services for the public. Taking into account the information that was accumulated and examined, the researchers came to the conclusion that the current services being offered by local authorities are very poor and this is attributed to many causes such as political interference, lack of citizen participation, lack of funds and corruption. The study therefore, concludes that outsourcing could be a feasible option to use to improve service delivery by local authorities. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
Ajay Gautam

Governance and delivery of public services are aimed at managing limited available resources to effectively deliver services to the citizens of a country. However, due to lack of coordination management, personal political gains and inclusion of politics, citizens are deprived of the required information and infrastructure. This deprivation not only results in economic losses but also causes deterioration of the state of social well-being. Indian public administration has suffered from the problem of coordination due to which in many aspects the objective of benefitting the citizens is not fulfilled. This study is focused on examining the role of coordination in the public service delivery system. By comparing the Indian public delivery service system with those of  Uruguay and Georgia, this study reveals that presence of coordination among the organizations, agencies, and departments improves transparency, accessibility of information, institutional capacity, and innovativeness of a country. Hence, for effective delivery of public services to citizens, maintenance of coordination is essential.


Populasi ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agus Dwiyanto

Public service delivery in Indonesia has failed to win the hearts of the public. Such a stance is attributed to distortions, which owe their origins to the bureaucratic structure of the organization and administration of public service provision, as well as the haphazard work practices, all of which have undermined the efficiency of public service delivery. The public, as customers of services, has been plagued by accessibility problems, persistent delays, and rampant bureaucratic corruption. The lack of responsibility and authority by those delivering public services imply that strict adherence to rigid rules and regulations takes precedence over serving the interests of the public. Public service bureaucracy in Indonesia is indeed rule rather than customer driven. Besides, customers of public services have a weak bargaining position, which precludes their raising any complaints in case the services received fall short of their expectations and a far cry from fulfilling their satisfaction. In order to revitalize the image of the civil service the government must enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and fairness in the delivery of public services. Nonetheless, making recommendations on the quality improvement is one thing, implementing them is another, even more complex issues. A number of changes must be effected; right from the top brass down to the first-line service providers, if the much cherished more customer-driven work ethics are to be instilled.


Author(s):  
Widyawati Widyawati ◽  
Sulmiah Sulmiah ◽  
Nurlaela Nurlaela

Public service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic face challenges in realizing quality services. At this time, service providers need the support of an organizational culture that is sensitive to change and optimal employee performance. Therefore, to determine the influence of organizational culture and employee performance in public services, this study is directed to analyze organizational culture and employee performance in supporting the implementation of quality public services in agencies engaged in public services in Central Mamuju Regency. In order to obtain objective research results, quantitative methods were used. Research data were obtained from questionnaires distributed to 102 samples, which were then strengthened by the results of interviews and secondary data related to the research topic. The results showed that the relationship between organizational culture and employee performance in influencing the quality of public service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic was inseparable from the leadership and financial management factors of the organization. Leaders who cannot make decisions in favor of employees reduce employee work motivation. In addition, the use of applications as a solution for public service delivery during a pandemic cannot be utilized properly due to a lack of management budget. So that organizational culture and employee performance in public service agencies in Central Mamuju Regency cannot encourage the implementation of quality public services for the community during the COVID-19 period.


Author(s):  
Juliane Jarke

Abstract This chapter reviews key literature and concepts relating to the co-creation of digital public services. For this task, it is firstly important to consider what kind of digital public services may be suitable for co-creation. In order to do so, the first section of this chapter defines what a digital public service is (e.g. with respect to different types of service providers, different types of services and service delivery) and considers what kind of digital public services allow for meaningful citizen participation. To better conceptualise different degrees of participation, the subsequent section reviews Arnstein’s (1969) “ladder of citizen participation” and related work. This allows distinguishing between different degrees of non-participation, (consultative) participation and beyond. Thirdly, the chapter reviews traditional participatory approaches that provide the basis to co-creating of digital public services: (1) co-production of public services, (2) co-design and (3) civic open data use. The chapter summarises and compares the different rationales for participation in these approaches, and reviews how they understand the sharing of control, the sharing of knowledge and the enabling of change.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document