scholarly journals Privatization in an Adverse Institutional Context: The Case of Kosovo

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-30
Author(s):  
Bardhyl Dobra ◽  
Michiel S de Vries
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Critical Case ◽  
Institutional Context ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Strong Argument ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Post Conflict

AbstractRegarding the effectiveness of privatization, two schools of thought are distinguished: a school in favor of privatization in general and a school that judges the success of privatization to be dependent on the institutional context. This article discusses the arguments of both schools and presents a case study on the privatization processes that did take place in Kosovo. The Kosovo case is a critical case as Kosovo was a post-conflict country with a deplorable institutional setting at the time it initiated the privatization processes. If privatization was successful anyway, this would make for a strong argument in favor of privatization in general.The outcomes of the case study show, however, many unintended and negative effects of privatization in the Kosovo context. The conclusion, therefore, disputes the claim that privatization is beneficial in general, irrespective of the institutional setting. Instead, the article makes a plea for creating a favorable institutional setting before starting far-reaching transformations through large-scale privatization.The issues arising from this article are important for policy-makers and international missions considering implementing similar programs to other post-conflict countries.

Assessing Triangulation Across Methodologies, Methods, and Stakeholder Groups: The Joys, Woes, and Politics of Interpreting Convergent and Divergent Data

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Campbell ◽  
Rachael Goodman-Williams ◽  
Hannah Feeney ◽  
Giannina Fehler-Cabral
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Specific Data ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Data Points ◽  
Evaluation Project ◽  
Collection Methods

The purpose of this study was to develop triangulation coding methods for a large-scale action research and evaluation project and to examine how practitioners and policy makers interpreted both convergent and divergent data. We created a color-coded system that evaluated the extent of triangulation across methodologies (qualitative and quantitative), data collection methods (observations, interviews, and archival records), and stakeholder groups (five distinct disciplines/organizations). Triangulation was assessed for both specific data points (e.g., a piece of historical/contextual information or qualitative theme) and substantive findings that emanated from further analysis of those data points (e.g., a statistical model or a mechanistic qualitative assertion that links themes). We present five case study examples that explore the complexities of interpreting triangulation data and determining whether data are deemed credible and actionable if not convergent.

scholarly journals Informal public transport driver behaviour and regulatory policy linkage: An expose

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smart Dumba
Keyword(s):  
Public Transport ◽  
Regulatory Policy ◽  
Urban Transport ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Driver Behaviour ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Urban Public Transport ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Literature on the negative socio-economic and environmental externalities generated by informal public transport (IPT) in developing countries is vast, vibrant and growing fast. These externalities include but are not limited to noise, air and land pollution, accidents and, more importantly, a source of congestion (human and vehicular) because of poor driver behaviour. In this article, the research does not seek to reinstate these, but rather, it argues that poor driver behaviour is a dependent variable to some regulatory policy stimuli. Yet, an extensive literature survey has shown that the driver behaviour and urban transport regulation linkage remain little explored.Objective: The purpose of this article was to unpack the relationship between informal public transport driver behaviour and the prevailing regulatory framework.Method: Based on a case study of Harare, Zimbabwe, the researcher adopted a mixed-methods paradigm and interrogated the prevailing urban public transport regulatory regimes and applied professional judgement, oral interviews backed by some quantitative data and relate these to obtaining IPT driver behavioural characteristics.Results: Poor driver behaviour exhibited by IPT were generated, exacerbated and or eased by the prevailing regulatory policy. This is well depicted through an IPT driver behaviour and regulation loop reinforcing diagram.Conclusion: Following this argument, the article cautions policy makers and urban managers alike that direct approaches and interventions when trying to regulate IPT poor driver behaviour and its secondary negative effects will be futile as long as the regulatory policy remains the same. Failure to recognise and connect the dots between IPT driver behaviour and policy partly explains why globally, the IPT sector has proved difficult in prohibiting, restructuring or even formalising it.

Upscaling Virtual Exchange in University Education: Moving From Innovative Classroom Practice to Regional Governmental Policy

2020 ◽  
pp. 102831532093232
Author(s):  
Pilar Garcés ◽  
Robert O’Dowd
Keyword(s):  
International Education ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Educational Practice ◽  
University Education ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Regional Autonomy ◽  
Intercultural Interaction ◽  
Policy Experiment

Virtual exchange (VE) is an educational practice that involves the engagement of groups of learners in extended periods of online intercultural interaction and collaboration with international peers as an integrated part of their educational programs and under the guidance of educators and/or facilitators. Despite more than 20 years of research and recent large-scale initiatives such as Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange, this approach remains relatively unknown and often misunderstood in international education. Based on the qualitative and quantitative data of an Erasmus+ KA3 European Policy Experiment, which brought together practitioners, researchers, and ministerial policy makers from five European countries and autonomous regions, this article examines the challenges involved in implanting and upscaling an innovative practice such as VE in university internationalization practices. A case study from a Spanish regional autonomy, which took part in the project, is used to highlight barriers to take-up and integration at classroom, institutional, and policy levels. The data also provide a clear illustration of how an international practice such as VE can gain recognition and support though the coordination of bottom-up and top-down initiatives.

scholarly journals National Poverty Eradication Programme in Nigeria (NAPEP): A Case Study of Capacity Acquisition Programme (CAP) in Gombe State 2003 - 2015

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 230
Author(s):  
Babayo Sule ◽  
Umar Adamu ◽  
Muhammad Aminu Yahaya
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Secondary Source ◽  
Skills Acquisition ◽  
Poverty Eradication ◽  
Eradication Programme ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Capacity Acquisition

Poverty is one of the major socio-economic problems in Nigeria which draws the concern of policy-makers in Nigeria of recently. In response to the scourge of poverty in Nigeria, the civilian government of Obasanjo introduced Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) in 2000 but later, PAP was halted and replaced with National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in 2001. NAPEP has a multi-various approach to poverty eradication including Capacity Acquisition Programme (CAP) which is an emphasis on skills acquisition and training for self-reliance. The major problem is the way poverty is increasing in alarming rate despite various efforts by government to eradicate it in the period of this study. This study examined CAP in Gombe state and its impact on poverty eradication effort. The methodology adopted for this research is the use of primary source where interview was conducted with one local government chosen from each of the three zones of the state. Secondary source was also used where literature was reviewed theoretical framework was formed to support the arguments presented. The data obtained were presented and analysed together with the hitherto existing statistics on this area. The research discovered that CAP as a component of NAPEP programme achieved little success in poverty eradication as a result of government’s unseriousness, corruption and negligence. Thus, the policy is not ideal for poverty eradication approach. The best means of poverty eradication is employment generation through provision of small scale and large-scale industries, eradication of corruption and genuine political will from the part of policy makers.

scholarly journals A Technical and Policy Case Study of Large-Scale Rescue and Redistribution of Perishable Foods by the “Leket Israel” Food Bank

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Philip ◽  
Smadar Hod-Ovadia ◽  
Aron M. Troen
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
The Government

Background: Food banks seeking to rescue and redistribute highly nutritious perishable foods to simultaneously alleviate food insecurity and reduce food waste often encounter practical, ethical, and political dilemmas. Objectives: We present a case study of “Leket Israel,” an Israeli food bank that uses an effective large-scale logistical model for the rescue and redistribution of perishable food and discuss the challenges and solutions it offers. Results: The organization operates in a rich country plagued with poverty and inequality, where the government passively encourages nongovernmental organizations to respond to the serious and growing problem of food insecurity. Operating under a business-to-business model, Leket Israel distributes food via intermediary nonprofit organizations (NPOs), enriching the food they provide with fresh produce. Food is obtained through an Agricultural Gleaning project, Self-Growing Farm project, and Meal Rescue project. The partnering NPOs then distribute the food to people in need. Although the rescue and redistribution of highly perishable food is more costly and complex than acquiring, storing, and distributing dried and staple foods and it requires specialized knowledge and infrastructure in order to maintain rigorous safety standards, it improves the nutritional quality of the aid. In 2015, Leket Israel distributed 15 217 389 kg of food, 90% of which was fruit and vegetables, to 180 partnering NPOs nationwide, reaching an estimated 175 000 recipients. Conclusion: “Leket Israel” offers a valuable model that can be studied and emulated by international nutrition scientists, practitioners, and policy makers who are seeking to reduce food insecurity and food waste in other countries.

scholarly journals Examining the Impacts of Mega-Events on Urban Development Using Coupling Analysis: A Case Study of the Boao Forum for Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 730
Author(s):  
Biao He ◽  
Lianxin Zhu ◽  
Xiaomei Cai ◽  
Jun (Justin) Li ◽  
Hong Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Urban Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Coordinated Development ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Mega Events ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
Coupling System ◽  
Theoretical Issues ◽  
Coordination Degree

Mega-events, as a strategic approach taken by entrepreneurial governments, have the ability to transform the image of a city. This study explores mega-events and their relationship to urban development by developing a coupling coordination degree model and using the official statistics of Qionghai, China, from 2010 to 2015. The results of this study show that the dynamic of coordination between mega-events and urban development is a classical S-shaped growth curve. In the coupling system, this study also reveals that relevance index and the economy, as sub-indicators, make significant contributions to mega-events and urban development, respectively. Finally, the researchers concluded that the international large-scale events can significantly promote the urban development in host cities. This study reveals theoretical issues and practical implications for policy makers and event managers to achieve integrated and coordinated development between mega-events and urban development.

scholarly journals Marine litter from beach-based sources: Case study of an Eastern Mediterranean coastal town

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle E. Portman ◽  
Ruth E Brennan
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Institutional Context ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Marine Litter ◽  
Management Intervention ◽  
Survey Results

Marine litter has been a serious and growing problem for some decades now. Yet, there is still much speculation among researchers, policy makers and planners about how to tackle marine litter from land-based sources. This paper provides insights into approaches for managing marine litter by reporting and analyzing survey results of litter dispersal and makeup from three areas along an Arab-Israeli coastal town in view of other recent studies conducted around the Mediterranean Sea. Based on our results and analysis, we posit that bathing beach activities should be a high priority for waste managers as a point of intervention and beach-goers must be encouraged to take a more active role in keeping beaches clean. Further, plastic fragments on the beach should be targeted as a first priority for prevention (and cleanup) of marine litter with plastic bottle caps being a high priority to be targeted among plastics. More survey research is needed on non-plastic litter composition for which amounts and geographic dispersal in the region vary greatly from place to place along Mediterranean shores. In general, findings of this study lead us to recommend exploring persuasive beach trash can design coupled with greater enforcement for short term waste management intervention while considering the local socio-economic and institutional context further for long-term efforts.

Governing roles? Integrating philanthropic foundations with governance boards in German educational collaborative networks

2020 ◽  
pp. 174114322095358
Author(s):  
Franz Koranyi ◽  
Nina Kolleck
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Collaborative Networks ◽  
Educational Goals ◽  
Mixed Methods Design ◽  
Philanthropic Foundations ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Educational Collaborative ◽  
The Relationship

Educational collaborative networks (ECNs), as instruments for achieving educational goals through the integration of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), have become frequent elements of public education worldwide. Despite their contribution of additional resources to the education enterprise, the roles of philanthropic foundations in ECNs are particularly controversial. Research suggests that leaders of ECNs such as policy makers, administrators, and school principals design and coordinate governance structures to guide participants’ behaviour. However, the importance of governance design and coordination in ECNs for governing philanthropic roles is yet to be systematically analysed. This article centres on the relationship between the design and coordination of governance boards and role-related participation of philanthropic foundations. A mixed methods design is implemented based on secondary analysis of a German large-scale standardised survey and an in-depth case study conducted in a south German municipality. Results confirm that leaders of ECNs impact philanthropic engagement via the design and coordination of governance boards. Participation in ECNs can take on diverse roles of representing particular interests, pursuing innovation, or providing services and are explained by underlying governance-related mechanisms. Identified associations within governance boards and role-related participation of philanthropic foundations in ECNs offer valuable insights for leadership in education.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document