Empowering Local Government Units with Open-Source Tools: Building A Dynamic Web-Based Information System

Local government is a key feature for the good governance and public service delivery at local level in Pakistan. It provides a means for delivering public services, political representation and budget allocation to local citizens at a grassroot level. Ayub Khan introduced local government by Zulfikar Bhutto, Zia and Musharraf. Musharraf devolution plan was more comprehensive. However, all these initiatives for local governments were regulated by federal government. The introduction of 18th Amendment has abolished federal supremacy on local government system and declared local government as sole of provincial government. The Punjab government has introduced 2019 Act designed to further decentralize the power by creating local councils, enhancing public participation and simplifying its structure. In the same way, Act of 2022 is introduced to simplify and strengthen the local political representative’s role, budgetary control of the local government. This study is design to compares the 2019 and the 2022 Acts and assesses their impact on District Lahore and Kasur’s Local governance and public service delivery.

Local Governance and Public Service Delivery in Ghana and Nigeria

This study investigates the correlation between the conferment of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) and stakeholders' satisfaction with public service delivery in selected cities and municipalities of the First Congressional District of Negros Occidental, Philippines. Anchored in the theories of New Public Management, Public Value Management, and Good Governance, the research evaluates the extent to which Local Government Units (LGUs) fulfill performance standards across ten core governance areas, including financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, and environmental management, among others. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the study integrates quantitative data from 750 respondents, comprising stakeholders and program implementers, with qualitative insights from in-depth interviews. The research instruments demonstrated strong validity and reliability, with a Content Validity Index (CVI) of 0.94, a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.871 for the stakeholders' instrument, and 0.878 for the implementers' instrument. Results reveal a generally high level of satisfaction among stakeholders, indicating that effective implementation of SGLG indicators positively influences public perception and trust. Nonetheless, findings highlight specific areas requiring attention, particularly participatory governance and the sustainability of local programs. These results suggest that while SGLG recognition reflects commendable governance practices, it must be coupled with consistent stakeholder engagement and adaptive strategies to address evolving community needs. The study underscores the importance of transparent, accountable, and community-centered governance. The findings imply that institutionalizing performance-based frameworks like the SGLG can strengthen public administration by aligning service delivery with citizen expectations and governance standards.

Transitioning from a traditional to strategic human resource management (SHRM) has been the primary objective of the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), with the goal of building a culture of excellence within organizations. However, local government units (LGUs) in Palawan face difficulties in effectively adopting the said program. Hence, the study assessed the roles of the Human Resource Management Officers (HRMOs) and Practitioners (LGUs) from LGUs in the province in adopting PRIME-HRM in their respective agencies. The study population is majorly composed of Government Department Heads, involved in PRIME-HRM implementation as board members or technical staff, and have attended the learning and development (L&D) orientation of the program. Findings reveal that the respondents have implemented their roles in adopting PRIME-HRM across the four (4) core HRM systems, showing greatest confidence in implementation when explaining associated concepts with each system within their respective agencies. Common challenges identified in adopting PRIME-HRM include lack of resources, unclear understanding of PRIME-HRM-associated roles, absence of formal training, and difficulty in managing demands from different stakeholders, to name a few. It underscores the need for key implementers of the program to continuously adopt measures to ensure that LGUs can transition efficiently from traditional to SHRM through PRIME-HRM. Moreover, routinary assessment of the quality of implementation, from the jurisdiction of HRMOs and HRMPs, are warranted to improve public service delivery in dynamic and resource-limited environments.

This study examined the efficiency, transparency, and governance of transportation fee record management in Padada, Davao del Sur, and assessed its perceived impact on local transportation services and development. Using a quantitative research design, survey data were collected from 45 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was employed to identify the underlying dimensions of transportation fee management perceptions. The Kaiser– Meyer–Olkin measure (0.698) and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity (χ² = 1931.295, p < .001) confirmed the suitability of the data for factor analysis. The EFA results revealed four distinct factors: (1) Efficiency of Fee Record System, (2) Compliance and Governance, (3) Transparency and Accountability, and (4) Perceived Impact of Transportation Fee Management. These factors collectively explained a high proportion of the total variance, indicating a strong and reliable factor structure. The findings suggest that transportation fee management in Padada is characterized by organized record-keeping, clear regulatory enforcement, accessible financial information, and accountability mechanisms. Moreover, respondents perceived that effective fee management contributes to improved transportation services, infrastructure maintenance, economic activity, and trust in the local government unit. Overall, the results confirm that perceptions of transportation fee management are multidimensional and that financial governance and transparency play a crucial role in the overall effectiveness of the fee record system. Strengthening these dimensions may further enhance public trust and service delivery outcomes.

Macedonia started its transition from a command to a market economy after its declaration of independence in 1991 from the former Yugoslavia. In 1991, ethnic Albanians abstained from voting for the first Macedonian constitution. Soon claims of ethnic Albanians in Macedonia started to aim at proportional representation in all political institutions, more education in the Albanian language at the university level and changes to the constitution proclaiming Macedonia to be a multi-ethnic country made up, on an equal basis, of Macedonians and Albanians. In 2001, immediately after the Macedonian parliament ratified a border treaty with Serbia, ethnic Albanians clashed with Macedonian armed forces. The clashes ended with the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement (OFA) in 2001. Decentralization was a main preferential policy choice out of the OFA. This paper estimates the efficiency of Macedonian municipalities by using the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). We hypothesise that ethnic fragmentation may have a negative impact on the efficiency of Macedonian municipalities. We also hypothesise that political variables at municipalities in Macedonia also have impact on the municipal efficiency.

This thesis investigates Local Area Agreements as a tool for the effective delivery of local public services focusing on three main areas: - Centre-Local Relations and the Vertical Governance of LAAs - Intra Local Relations and the Horizontal Governance of LAAs - Learning from LAAs to improve the future practice of local public service delivery. In exploring these areas, the thesis draws upon several academic theories; principally the Strategic Relational Approach and New Institutionalism. These themes are explored in a two-tiered methodology. The first is a national overview survey of LAA practitioners which then informed the second stage; detailed interviews across two case study areas (Liverpool and St Helens) as well as with civil servants and elected politicians from national government. In relation to vertical-governance, the thesis discusses the national indicator dataset and the ability for areas to adequately focus on local policy priorities, the top-down governance of LAAs and a discussion about the role of Government Office for the regions in negotiating and delivering LAAs. In relation to horizontal governance, the research identifies both stronger and weaker actors within the local governance process, discusses the value of differing actor approaches, investigates how internal accountability affects the relationship with a wider partnership and discusses the role of elected members. The final section discusses how practitioners feel that LAAs could be improved, before discussing how current Coalition policy addresses these concerns, before drawing some final conclusions about the relative success of the LAA project. The findings show that despite initial overtures of greater local discretion over setting priorities, strong central control remained. In particular, this was seen through the indicator selection process, with areas adopting indicators that were not seen as local priorities. At the local level it is shown that a long or short term operating horizon affected how actors worked with the LAA and that those actors that traditionally operated on shorter time scales (i.e. police, fire and rescue service) were more likely to register frustration with longer term bureaucratic processes. It was also found that those actors that viewed partnership working on LAA targets as an investment for long term results were viewed as being more effective than those which simply saw it as a cost. In terms of Coalition policy in the post LAA period, it appears that many lessons have gone unheeded, particularly around the components of effective partnership working. However, the new City Deal programme presents a renewed sense of optimism for effective (and locally responsive) local public service delivery.

Economic and social imperatives of innovation are increasingly becoming intertwined and important, especially in the global South. While South Africa has a nucleus of innovating enterprises, key challenges with respect to poverty and underdevelopment remain. During recent decades, South Africa has experienced a marked decline in the traditional and employment-intensive sectors along with growth in service sectors. However, growth in low-productivity service sectors accounts for most employment growth. It is noted that regional innovation networks are scarce and predominantly found in major cities. A decline in the traditional employment-intensive and largely rural-based sectors of mining and agriculture, along with attempts to redress the socio-economic consequences of apartheid, resulted in a policy emphasis on innovation in distressed rural areas to enhance local economic development and public service delivery. It is concluded that skewed spatial patterns of innovation, as well as research and policy foci in relation to innovation, emerge.

Purpose This study sheds light on the multi-dimensional impact of governance quality on child health outcomes, measured by the infant mortality rate (IMR) and under-5 mortality rate (U5MR), across 63 provinces in Vietnam from 2006 to 2021. The study aims to identify which governance dimensions most significantly influence these health indicators. Design/methodology/approach Using a panel dataset spanning 16 years, this study employs the fixed effects (FE) and the two-step system generalised method of moments (SGMM) estimators to analyse the relationship between various dimensions of governance quality and child health outcomes. Governance dimensions include local participation, vertical accountability, transparency, public administrative procedures, control of corruption and public service delivery. Findings The results indicate that overall governance quality has a stronger impact on U5MR than on IMR. Specific dimensions such as local participation, vertical accountability and public service delivery exhibit stronger effects on IMR, while transparency, public administrative procedures and control of corruption have a more pronounced impact on U5MR. Practical implications Policymakers should prioritize targeted governance reforms, focusing on dimensions with the most significant influence on specific child health outcomes, to optimize resource allocation and intervention strategies. Social implications Improved governance quality can enhance healthcare delivery, reduce mortality rates and contribute to broader social well-being, particularly in vulnerable communities. Originality/value This study offers a concise understanding of how different governance dimensions uniquely affect child health outcomes. It emphasizes the need for a multi-dimensional and tailored governance approach to effectively reduce child mortality rates in Vietnam and other developing countries.

Local governments stand at the frontline of responding to natural hazards, but they often lack the capacity and resources necessary to manage such crises. Disasters can affect local government spending and revenue streams and also trigger land-use changes with enduing fiscal implications. This paper examines the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and the subsequent New York state buyout and acquisition programs, focusing on their impact on the local finances of municipalities and school districts across the state. Utilizing a difference-in-differences model, we found that the storm led to a significant short-term increase in both total revenues and expenditures across the affected municipalities and school districts. The surge in revenues was driven mainly by increased intergovernmental transfers, and the increase in expenditures was manifested largely in general government spending. Our findings also suggest that there were discernible disparities in fiscal responses between wealthier and poorer municipalities and that the state’s buyout program did not affect local fiscal stability, and had negligible effects on local tax bases and public service delivery. These findings offer insights for policymakers and stakeholders as they plan local fiscal strategies and prepare for future disasters.

This study determined the profile of agricultural extension workers in the municipalities of San Jose, Magsaysay, Rizal, and Calintaan (SAMARICA), Occidental Mindoro; their technology transfer modalities utilized in extending organic agriculture; problems encountered in the technology transfer; and the relationship between the profile of the agricultural extension workers and the technology transfer modalities utilized in organic agriculture. The respondents of the study were the 42 front line agricultural extension workers in the Local Government Unit. They were selected using simple random sampling. Mean and the Pearson Moment Correlation were used in data analysis. Result shows the agricultural extension workers in SAMARICA Area, Occidental Mindoro have an average age of 48.76 years, with long extension experience of 18.14 years, and had earned a college degree related to agriculture. They “always” introduce new technologies and practices on organic agriculture with the farmers through individual farm/ home visits, farmers’ groups meetings, and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)). The agriculture extension delivery system in SAMARICA Area, Occidental Mindoro is facing challenges in implementing organic agriculture initiatives in the municipal level. Furthermore, agriculture extension workers’ age is significantly related to the technology transfer modalities utilized in organic agriculture Key words : extension workers, extension modalities, knowledge transfer, organic agriculture

The article is dedicated to the issues of promoting entrepreneurship by local governments on municipal level in Poland. The authors conducted an analysis of the financial policy’s impact of local government units on the development of entrepreneurship. As explanatory variables in the article, the authors adopted instruments of entrepreneurship support that were based on the revenue side and the expenditure side of the budget. The list of these variables is as follows: total tax income on real estate, total tax income on transport, total income from property, total expenditure on property, product of variables describing tax income and property expenditure. As outcome variable, the authors adopted level of entrepreneurship in municipalities measured by the number of newly registered business entities per capita. While the control variable was the ratio called population density. The output dependent variable was divided by the number of working age population, while the output independent variables (revenue and expenditure instruments of financial policy of local authorities) were divided by the total population. Analysis was performed based on logarithmic averages for annual data that was collected at the commune level. Based on collected data, authors had constructed six models that were later estimated. The estimation of parameters of models was done using linear regression. Regression model for averages proved that local government units fiscal policy expressed in tax instruments strongly affect entrepreneurship, with assumption of simultaneous usage of several stimulants. Income instruments most strongly influence the development of entrepreneurship. Among these instruments the biggest impact on entrepreneurship have tax instruments, in particular the real estate tax. Expenditure instruments that most strongly influence entrepreneurship are capital expenditures. Finally, the effectiveness of financial forms of support is conditioned by stability and continuity of fiscal policies implemented by local governments. Analyzed model positively verifies opinions from literature that use by local authorities single instruments of entrepreneurship support (especially taxes) brings weaker results than the use of a set of a tax-including instruments.

E-government’s rise to prominence in the early 1990s was met with great enthusiasm amidst the promise that information communication technologies (ICTs) might fulfill the demands and expectations for improved democratic governance. Since then, significant progress has been made in terms of information provision and delivery of public services; yet, dialogue, a core dimension of democratic governance, remains largely unrealized within the digital context. This study employs content analysis within the frame of a check-off research protocol to determine if the population of state websites has the capacity to support digital democratic dialogue. The key question is whether there is an emphasis within the milieu of state websites to support e-dialogue outside the provision of information and e-services. The analysis suggests that efficiency rather than dialogue is the primary focus in the design of the state websites. Is, therefore, e-government a new development in the historical effort to enforce efficiency as a core value of governance?

At the New Mexico Center for Environmental Health Sciences (NMCEHS), community concerns and relationships are as much at the center’s foundation as the latest research techniques. According to center director Scott Burchiel, the unique populations of New Mexico—including a high number of Hispanics and Native American tribes, pueblos, and sovereign nations—steer the center’s course. “One of the things we have tried to do is to determine what these populations’ concerns are for environmental health, because we want our center to be focused on environmental public health, and we want to work on basic research projects that address issues that people in this region are particularly interested in,” he says. Based in Albuquerque as a partnership of The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute (LRRI), the NIEHS-funded center comprises major research cores in environmental cancer and oxidative stress, cardiovascular toxicology, environmental lung disease, and population health and epidemiology. The center also includes world-class facility cores (particularly for inhalation toxicology), a pilot project program to provide funding for small innovative research studies, and an unusually strong community outreach and education program (COEP). Community input is essential, as is trust. “We have investigators who may have certain interests for certain kinds of projects and want to work with communities,” says Burchiel. “But when we go to the community, we find out that [the community has] a different agenda, different interests. We’ve been learning how to work with communities since we’ve had this environmental health center.” It’s a process that involves a lot of development of community relationships and trust relationships. Burchiel says that investigating environmental health problems such as asthma requires a broad definition of environment. He says, “In our center, we define the environment quite broadly. It includes nutritional, social, behavioral, economic, and built environment components. . . . We have not only environmental epidemiologists [but] also social epidemiologists who help us look at social factors in assessing economic and poverty factors.”

In a simple model of waste management, we analyse the basic aspects of co-production in local public service delivery. Our results suggest that citizen involvement may lead to an expansion of the production possibility frontier, if waste sorting is made sufficiently convenient, relative to work, through an appropriate tax policy. However, by diverting time away from work, this policy may trigger a tax base erosion phenomenon. We find that the incentive power of the tax should be high (low) when local preferences for the service are very high (low) relative to local incomes. In the intermediate situation, two cases arise. First, when preferences are (not very) low relative to incomes, taxation should pursue resource collection purposes and be deprived of its incentive effects. Second, when preferences are middle-to-high relative to incomes, the trade-off between incentive provision and tax base erosion causes the optimal tax rate to first increase, then decrease.