Comparing Accountability in the Public and Private Sectors

After the enactment of the Companies Act, 2013 it has become mandatory for Indian companies fulfilling certain criteria to spend a part of their profits towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This paper aims to highlight the current trends of CSR contributions of select public and private sector companies in India towards promoting women empowerment. The study selected a sample of ten companies, five each from the private and public sectors, listed in the National Stock Exchange (NSE)using the study period from 2014-15 to 2021-22. A comparative analysis has been done by segregating the companies into private and public sectors. The findings of the study demonstrate that both private and public sector companies are contributing significantly through CSR contributions towards the empowerment of women in India though, not all companies make their CSR expenditures on women empowerment on a regular basis. Only two private sector companies namely HUL and ITC were spending towards women empowerment regularly out of all ten select sample companies. HUL is the top CSR spender towards women empowerment during the study period while the least CSR spender towards women empowerment among all the ten companies was RIL with no expenditure towards women empowerment. The study concludes that there is a statistically significant difference in CSR contribution made by private and public sector companies towards women empowerment during the period of study.

Best practices, policy and innovations in the administration of healthcare in developing communities and countries. For administrators, academics, researchers and policy leaders. Includes peer reviewed research papers. Edited by Dr. Judith Shamian, President Emeritus, International Council of Nurses, Professor and Co-investigator with the Nursing Health Services Research Unit, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

This study aims to analyze the differences in organizational culture between the public and private sectors in Indonesia. Organizational culture is a crucial aspect that influences work effectiveness, employee satisfaction, and the quality of organizational services and products. The study uses a comparative quantitative approach with a total of 120 respondents, consisting of 60 public sector employees and 60 private sector employees. Data collection was carried out using an organizational culture questionnaire developed based on the theories of Hofstede and Schein. The findings reveal significant differences in the dimensions of organizational culture between the two sectors. The public sector tends to emphasize hierarchy and clan dimensions, while the private sector shows dominance in market and adhocracy dimensions. These results indicate that the public sector prioritizes stability, procedural compliance, and organizational loyalty, while the private sector is more flexible, competitive, and innovation-oriented. These differences have implications for organizational effectiveness, particularly in terms of work efficiency, employee job satisfaction, and adaptability to external changes. Therefore, public sector institutions must undergo cultural reform to align with the demands of modern management and achieve responsive and adaptive governance

"This paper aims to examine the extent of corporate social reporting practices in the annual reports of companies in India and to ascertain the differences if any, between public sector and private sector companies and to investigate what were the determinants of corporate social reporting . The study intends to answer the research questions which include: a) what variables could represent a Conceptual Model of Corporate Social Reporting consists of dependent variables and Independent variables? b) What are the factors of Corporate Social Reporting (COSOR) and how valid and reliable are these factors? c) What is the degree of COSOR by factors in public and private sector companies? d) What are the determinants of COSOR? What is the level of their influence on COSOR? A sample of 120 listed companies of National Stock Exchange of India was chosen and they were stratified in to public and private sector companies. A Corporate social reporting Index was constructed for data collection through content analysis from the annual reports. The results of the study revealed that social accounting information were disclosed in company’s annual reports, chairman’s speech, directors’ reports, notes to accounts, schedule to accounts and auditor’s report. The degree of corporate social reporting varies between public sector and private sector companies. The public sector companies have disclosed more corporate social reporting information than the private sector companies. The study found that higher the level of capital employed, earnings before depreciation and taxes, total assets and total sales higher was the level of corporate social reporting. However, the degree of influence of determinants on corporate social reporting was different among public and private sector companies. Most of the companies have disclosed corporate social information on voluntary basis. To improve the understandably, uniformity, and comparability of corporate social information, this study suggests making it mandatory. A standard format for disclosure of corporate social information shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs by amending the Indian Companies Act. The concept of social accounting is relatively new in India. This study suggests to include it in the commerce curriculum and also in the curriculum of CA/CWA/CS. Corporate Social Reporting is such a vast area of research that no single study can cover different dimensions related to it. Though some studies including the present study have been conducted on Corporate Social Reporting Practices in India, but still there is much potential of research in this area. Future research in this area will hopefully bring more brightening result measuring and analysing social costs and benefits data by manager as well as by other concerned. Since the subject is in the primary stage, an in-depth research is needed to be done in different sectors such as banking information technology, manufacturing etc. The results are specifically applicable to sample companies and generalisations can be made with caution. The results of the study are based on the data collected from published annual reports of sample companies using content analysis method. Corporate social reporting in company websites, brochures etc are not covered. Social cost and benefit analysis is not covered in this study.

The operational efficiency in China's private and public sectors presents significant differences that managers are unaware of, leading to increased turnover intentions. The current research covers the impacts of intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction on turnover intentions within the Chinese public sector. This research investigates the correlation between job satisfaction and employee turnover intentions in the Chinese public and private sectors. Data were gathered via questionnaires distributed to employees from multiple public and private enterprises and institutions. The findings indicate clear differences between employees in the public and private sectors regarding the influence of job satisfaction on intentions to turnover. Specifically, Chinese public employees show less extrinsic job satisfaction and less desire to quit than employees employed in the private sector. Moreover, compared to employees in the private sector, those working in the public sector have a direct but insignificant negative relationship between extrinsic job satisfaction and turnover intentions. To improve employee motivation, it is recommended that public-sector managers prioritize enhancing extrinsic job factors and consider reallocating dissatisfied employees to more suitable roles. Furthermore, managers should evaluate whether their organization’s turnover rate is overly high, as it will deteriorate productivity and efficiency.

PurposeWhile the term “entrepreneurship” is not exclusively a private sector phenomenon, it is usually associated with private sector business activity and more specifically with small to medium enterprises. However, over the last two decades it has appeared in the public administration literature with increasing frequency. The recent research in public sector entrepreneurial activity makes an exploratory comparative analysis of the key components that are applicable from private sector entrepreneurship timely as the topic is emerging as an area of academic inquiry and research. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative analysis of private and public sector entrepreneurship using an analytical model from private and public sector entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approachA clear understanding of the research issues involved requires an appreciation of the nexus between private sector entrepreneurship and the more limited research field of public sector entrepreneurship. The paper identifies and examines the historical and evolutionary research on entrepreneurship as a basis for analysis of public and private sector entrepreneurship.FindingsThe paper provides a comprehensive analysis that highlights key similarities, differences or a combination between public and private sector entrepreneurship and develops an existing model and framework for a systematic approach to the public sector entrepreneurial process.Originality/ valueBased on this exploration, new insights about public sector entrepreneurship are developed, practical implications for public sector entrepreneurs on how to approach public sector entrepreneurship more systematically and effectively are presented and opportunities for further research are identified.

Governments throughout the world are being forced to review how to fund the increasing demand and rising expectations of their citizens. This is especially relevant for developing countries, which often have limited capital resources to meet the soaring needs for essential infrastructure. This has consequently led to increased involvement of the private sector in the provision of public services, using various forms of Public‐Private Partnerships (PPPs). It is, however, important for both the public and private sectors to understand the various risks associated with PPPs throughout the whole life cycle of the projects in order to guarantee long‐term success. This is especially true in Nigeria and other countries where the use of PPPs are still in the early stages of development. Sixty‐one PPP risk factors were identified from literature and classified into exogenous and endogenous risks. This paper presents the results of the questionnaire survey that investigated the perception of Nigerian construction professionals on the relative importance of the identified risks and their preferences of allocation between the public and private sectors. The results show that the three most important PPP risk factors in Nigeria are “unstable government”, “inadequate experience in PPP” and “availability of finnance”. The respondents’ risk allocation preferences show that while most of the endogenous risk factors could be assigned to the private sector partner, the public sector should retain political and site acquisition risks, while relation‐ship‐based risks should be shared between the private and public sector partners

BackgroundSouth Africa has large public and private sectors and there is a common perception that public sector hospitals are inefficient and ineffective while the privately owned and managed hospitals provide superior care and are more sustainable. The underlying assumption is that there is a potential gap in management capacity between the two sectors. This study aims to ascertain the skills and competency levels of hospital managers in South Africa and to determine whether there are any significant differences in competency levels between managers in the different sectors.MethodsA survey using a self administered questionnaire was conducted among hospital managers in South Africa. Respondents were asked to rate their proficiency with seven key functions that they perform. These included delivery of health care, planning, organizing, leading, controlling, legal and ethical, and self-management. Ratings were based on a five point Likert scale ranging from very low skill level to very high skill level.ResultsThe results show that managers in the private sector perceived themselves to be significantly more competent than their public sector colleagues in most of the management facets. Public sector managers were also more likely than their private sector colleagues to report that they required further development and training.ConclusionThe findings confirm our supposition that there is a lack of management capacity within the public sector in South Africa and that there is a significant gap between private and public sectors. It provides evidence that there is a great need for further development of managers, especially those in the public sector. The onus is therefore on administrators and those responsible for management education and training to identify managers in need of development and to make available training that is contextually relevant in terms of design and delivery.

BackgroundThe prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate in developing countries. However, glycaemia control remains suboptimal and insulin use is low. One important barrier is the lack of an efficient and effective insulin initiation delivery approach. This study aimed to document the strategies used and proposed by healthcare professionals to improve insulin initiation in the Malaysian dual-sector (public–private) health system.MethodsIn depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted in Klang Valley and Seremban, Malaysia in 2010–11. Healthcare professionals consisting of general practitioners (n = 11), medical officers (n = 8), diabetes educators (n = 3), government policy makers (n = 4), family medicine specialists (n = 10) and endocrinologists (n = 2) were interviewed. We used a topic guide to facilitate the interviews, which were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach.ResultsThree main themes emerged from the interviews. Firstly, there was a lack of collaboration between the private and public sectors in diabetes care. The general practitioners in the private sector proposed an integrated system for them to refer patients to the public health services for insulin initiation programmes. There could be shared care between the two sectors and this would reduce the disproportionately heavy workload at the public sector. Secondly, besides the support from the government health authority, the healthcare professionals wanted greater involvement of non-government organisations, media and pharmaceutical industry in facilitating insulin initiation in both the public and private sectors. The support included: training of healthcare professionals; developing and disseminating patient education materials; service provision by diabetes education teams; organising programmes for patients’ peer group sessions; increasing awareness and demystifying insulin via public campaigns; and subsidising glucose monitoring equipment. Finally, the healthcare professionals proposed the establishment of multidisciplinary teams as a strategy to increase the rate of insulin initiation. Having team members from different ethnic backgrounds would help to overcome language and cultural differences when communicating with patients.ConclusionThe challenges faced by a dual-sector health system in delivering insulin initiation may be addressed by greater collaborations between the private and public sectors and governmental and non-government organisations, and among different healthcare professionals.

Price, Availability, and Affordability of Antineoplastic Medicines in Harare’s Public and Private Institutions: Implication for Access

Antiretroviral therapy in countries with low health expenditure

Can Cyprus overcome its health-care challenges?

Claim settlement management is the one of the most important service that comes under the crucial quality of life insurance service. The objectives formulated in this study are to study the claims settlement practices of public and select private sector life insurance companies, India and to analyze the effect of claim settlement practices on the operating efficiency and profitability performance of public sector and select private sector life insurance companies, India. The exploratory research design is applied. The convenient sampling technique is used for selecting the companies from the life insurance industry which constitutes 87.07% share in the industry as per IRDA Annual report 2009–10. The LIC of India is the only one state owned firm in the public sector and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, HDFC Life Insurance, SBI Life Insurance and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance companies under private sector were taken as sample. The IRDA annual reports and the selected company annual reports from 2001–02 to 2012–13 were used for collecting the required data. The various benefits such as maturity benefits, death claims, annuity, etc., paid to the policy holders by the select public and private sector companies are analyzed. Operating efficiency of life insurance companies are calculated by using data envelopment analysis tool with the dea online software. The market share (MS), Return on Assets (ROA), Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) and Claim Rejection Ratio (CRR) were calculated. These are analyzed by using statistical tools such as linear growth rates, compound annual growth rates, and coefficient of variance, mean and coefficient of correlation. The analyzed reveals that LIC of India is the industry leader not only in sale of policies but also in the benefit payments. In overall benefit payments among the select private sector life insurance companies, ICICI Prudential Life insurance was the top performer followed by HDFC Life insurance, Bajaj Allianz life insurance and SBI Life insurance. It is concluded that the claim settlement practices of life insurance industry had statistically significant impact on their profitability as well as operating efficiency. More-over, claim settlement practices of select life insurance players had statistically significant positive impact on the profitability but they had statistically significant negative impact on their operating efficiency due to increased operational risk for enhanced sales or more underwritten policies Hence companies should maintain optimum claim settlement practices to achieve good market share and profitability.

USING THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE FOR THE POOR IN KARNATAKA: A ROAD LEADING TOWARD OR AWAY FROM UNIVERSAL CARE?

Both the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) and its embedded technology diffusion exponentially progress and grow in terms of technical change and socioeconomic impact. The aim of this study was the evaluation of research and development efficiency in the public and private sectors in EU countries. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology, within which the slack-based model was applied, was used to achieve this aim. The Malmquist index (MI) was used to calculate changes in research and development efficiency during 2010/2013 and 2014/2017. The results present a decrease in total Research and Development (R&D) productivity in public and private sectors for an average of EU countries (28). However, Spain, Slovenia, and Portugal (in the public sector), and Ireland and Romania (in the private sector) revealed an increase of a total R&D productivity during 2010/2013 and 2014/2017 that was primarily influenced by an increase of technical efficiency (catch-up effect). Similarly, the results confirm the differences in R&D efficiency in private and public sectors in the European countries. The study’s results also provide a valuable platform for creators of national strategic and innovative investment and educational plans, and creators of relevant policies and create a platform for national and international benchmarking indicators.