bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The U.K. overseas development administration and non‐departmental public bodies in the field of educational aid
Authors: Moore Christopher , Newbigging Eric
Published: July 2007

The educational aid programme sponsored by the U.K. Overseas Development Administration has been conducted using organizations in which substantial changes have been made in the last ten years. This article analyses the changes in the structure of non‐departmental agencies and in the relations between the Overseas Development Administration and the agencies, and considers the rationale for these. It draws attention to the contrast between the formal independence of these non‐departmental bodies and continuing departmental control, and to the limitations of non‐departmental bodies as a means of securing advice and co‐operation. The article points to the difficulties in organizational terms of marrying the aim of providing a framework for co‐operating with the recipients of aid, and for securing advice, co‐operation and support in its administration from bodies outside central government in the U.K., while preserving ministerial responsibility.
Bureaucracy and development in Saudi Arabia: A behavioural analysis
Authors: Nimir Saud Al , Palmer Monte
Published: July 2007

The objective of the paper is to evaluate the developmental potential of the Saudi bureaucracy in terms of the innovative or developmental attitudes of its members. The paper is divided into four sections: (1) a brief discussion of the research procedures used in the study, (2) an analysis of group perceptions of innovative values within the Saudi bureaucracy, (3) an analysis of the innovative attitudes of Saudi bureaucrats and (4) an analysis of the factors inhibiting the development of innovative behaviour among Saudi bureaucrats. The results of the study indicate low levels of innovative behaviour among Saudi bureaucrats.
India's experience—national, community, public or private health?
Authors: Donald Brian L.
Published: July 2007

India, as the largest democracy, second most populous country, ninth largest industrial power and fifteenth poorest nation, has in respect of health care to be considered as a special case among developing countries. Nevertheless, the identification in India, as an alternative to national welfare provision, of opportunities for returning social and economic responsibilities for health care to local communities is important for both developing and developed countries. This article outlines and comments upon recent developments in providing primary health care in rural communities in India. It concludes by examining possible parallels between self‐sustaining community health schemes and the search in developed countries for community and personal involvement so as to overcome emergent limitations of professionalized and welfare systems of care.
The evaluation of an administrative co‐operation project in North Yemen and its significance for German aid policy
Authors: König Klaus , Bolay Friedrich
Published: July 2007

This case study is based on an evaluation report of a German project for development co‐operation in the field of public administration in the Republic of North Yemen. It describes the history, the efforts and the problems of the project which operated within the framework of the National Institute of Public Administration in Sana'a and in order to understand the project there is an outline of the public administration of North Yemen. The paper also describes the structure of the German side of the administration of development policy, the Ministry of Economic Co‐operation, the German Society for Technical Cooperation and the Public Administration Promotion Centre in Berlin. Both the practical problems of administrative co‐operation and of undertaking evaluation are analysed and a practical approach to evaluation and evaluation techniques is presented for discussion. The paper argues the merits of providing aid in support of training in order to improve public administration, and specifically emphasises the value of preparatory courses which link the educational system within the occupational system of the public sector by preparing university graduates for the profession of public administration.
Organization for development: The politico‐administrative framework of economic activity in Egypt under Sadat
Authors: Ayubi Nazih N. M.
Published: July 2007

The open door (infitah) policy announced in 1974 marked the adoption of a new orientation for economic activity. This article relates the development of this policy towards economic enterprise to trends in the machinery of governmental control. The author argues that in the period of Sadat's presidency there was a contradiction between the liberalization in economic matters and the form and nature of control exercised by government.
The administration of development in emergent nations. The problems in the Caribbean
Authors: Hope Kempe R.
Published: July 2007

The conduct of development administration in Commonwealth Caribbean countries is hindered by weaknesses in government, and, on the basis of many years experience, Dr. Hope points to four approaches to reform which are currently favoured. Changing the nature of political leadership; reasserting the importance of an independent instrumental administration through greater attention to manpower planning, training and staff development; similarly extending the scope of administrative action by achieving a decentralization of authority from political ministers to local professional administators acting with the public; and participatory democracy with a reduced role for professional administration are four approaches with parallels in other parts of the world. The author points, however, to distinctive features in the Caribbean and argues that the small size of the states creates particular problems and challenges.
Implementing decentralization programmes in Asia: A comparative analysis
Authors: Rondinelli Dennis A.
Published: July 2007

Decentralization in development planning and administration is being attempted in novel ways as governments seek to generate economic growth and at the same time achieve greater social equity. Little has been done to assess comparatively the nature and effectiveness of these experiments. This article is based on a selection of eight case studies, each set in a different Asian country, where an innovative approach to decentralization has been adopted by the central government in order to achieve development aims. The stimulus to innovate is considered, the different forms of decentralization compared and a tentative comparative evaluation is made of the effectiveness of decentralizing development planning and implementation. What the analysis shows is that despite diversity in the objectives and differences in the forms decentralized programmes took there were common problems centring on administrative capability. This, the author argues, has important implications for governments and international agencies.
Development problems and planning in a resource‐poor Pacific country: The case of Tuvalu
Authors: Tisdell Clem , Fairbairn T'eo Ian
Published: July 2007

Tuvalu is an independent microstate and this account of its economic circumstances and prospects provides the context for discussion of administrative problems. The paper outlines the economic structure of the country and examines its economic resources and their potential; demographic trends are given attention, and the country's heavy dependence on foreign aid is explained. These features carry implications for the forms of public administration and development planning, and Tuvalu's current development plan and aspects of its public administration are discussed with this in mind. The article serves as a case study of the economy of a micro state and implications for administration in such a state.
Small‐scale irrigation in sub‐Saharan Africa: Sparse lessons, big problems, any solutions?
Authors: Barnett Tony
Published: July 2007

This paper identifies from studies made of specific schemes the major social and administrative problems confronting the improvement and extension of small‐scale irrigation in Africa. The first section reviews the studies and notes the conclusions to be drawn from each separate one. Underlying these separate conclusions six general problems are identified and in the second section of the article each of these six is elaborated and discussed: the relation between the direct producer'S benefit and wider social benefits: problems of control, commitment to hierarchy, the working of production units, and how to learn from farmers in respect of water use; and finally the general problem of how to plan for the further change that follows after irrigation is introduced.
Dimensions of community development projects in Bendel State, Nigeria
Authors: Okafor Francis C.
Published: July 2007

Several communities in the Bendel State of Nigeria have distinguished themselves in their enthusiasm for community development through self‐help efforts. In addition to their contributions in labour and money these communities also make demands on the government for various forms of aid. Because of the uncoordinated nature of the projects and the demands, the government is precipitated into responses without a thorough examination of the development impact and the priority needs of the projects. An analysis of the characteristics of the completed and on‐going community development projects in Bendel State between 1970 and 1982 shows that the prime interest of communities is in the provision of social infrastructure rather than in improved production which will create wealth and employment. Similar mistakes are made by the government in its total funding and in providing matching grants for projects which have doubtful rationales. The paper suggests that planning for community development projects should involve the co‐operation of the government and the people. The enthusiasm for development should be encouraged but not at the expense of co‐ordinated effort which could bring about the much‐desired even development by sorting out priorities and conserving resources.
Evaluation of training. A review of the literature
Authors: Hoyle A. R.
Published: July 2007

The literature on evaluation needs to be classified into education and training. The latter reveals many difficulties as regards evaluation. Scientific and quantitative methods are not popular. Evaluation appears to be undertaken reluctantly and with the simplest methods. Behavioural objects are rarely even set by trainers. Progress in the techniques of evaluation has been slow, though a good deal of research has been done. The literature is small but growing.
Using brain skill assessments to increase productivity in development administration
Authors: Agor Weston H.
Published: July 2007

This article describes how BMS (brain skill and management styles) assessments have and can be used to increase productivity in development administration.

The article starts with a brief outline of the management climate which executives face in developing countries (crisis and rapidly changing environments). The article points out that although developing countries have significantly increased their productivity by using traditional quantitative management tools and techniques, they increasingly find that these approaches need to be supplemented with other techniques more appropriate to the environment they must contend with.

BMS programmes have been found to be one tool which, combined with established training programmes can serve to increase productivity in developing nations with existing personnel. The article describes what a BMS programme is (identifying human brain skills and management styles that exist in organizations, and matching these skills/styles to the management problem at hand where they can be best employed to enhance productivity), and illustrates how this technique has been used successfully in one developing country.

The BMS programme applications in the article are based on the results of testing over 2000 managers and also the experience from implementing in‐depth BMS programmes in several countries in a wide variety of organizational settings (business, government, education, military and health).
Ideology, local administration and problems of rural development in the Republic of Benin
Authors: Ayo S. Bamidele
Published: July 2007

Administration at the grass‐roots level is expected to be a vehicle for local development. This explains why governments in the Third World Countries and even in the industrialized states have always demonstrated their willingness actively to involve their grass‐root administrations in promoting rural socio‐economic transformation. The Republic of Benin is one of the Third World countries where local administration is involved in promoting rural development. However, the local administration has failed to make a noteworthy contribution to rural development, especially since the inception of the regime of Brigadier Mathieu Kerekou.

This paper attempts to explain the minimal contribution of local administration to rural development in Benin. One of the key reasons elaborated is the existence of other institutions charged with the same responsibility of promoting rural development. Finally, attention is drawn to the method used in translating socialist ideology into reality through co‐operatives and the mobilization of human resources. This method conflicts with the interests of the masses which are being alienated, thereby limiting the success recorded by the local administrators.
Omissions and contradictions in an African co‐operative experiment: The case of Nigeria
Authors: Ahwireng‐Obeng F.
Published: July 2007

This brief evaluation of the co‐operative organizational apparatus in Nigeria examines three aspects of a ‘co‐operative ideology’; the basis of the co‐operative idea; the form of economic organization and the organizational structure. The analysis proceeds in the framework of the ‘entrepreneurial approach’ and concludes that such an ideology must reflect among other things, the economically inaltruistic and individualistic nature of human behaviour that is found in Nigerian traditional communities.
Can ministries of health support primary health care? Some suggestions for structural reorganization and planning
Authors: Vaughan Patrick , Walt Gill , Mills Anne
Published: July 2007

Patrick Vaughan is Reader in health care epidemiology, Gill Walt is Lecturer in health policy and Anne Mills is Lecturer in health economics, at the Evaluation and Planning Centre for Health Care, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Gower Street, London WC1, United Kingdom. A previous version of this paper was prepared for the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, for the Conference of Commonwealth Health Ministers held in Ottawa, Canada, in October 1983.
Reorganization for local administration in Zambia: An analysis of the local administration act, 1980
Authors: Chikulo B. C.
Published: July 2007

Analysing the Zambian administrative reforms of 1968 (Chikulo, 1981) we noted the increasing centralism, moves to strengthen party control over government administration and the closer control over local party officials by party appointees from the centre. These trends have been reinforced by the introduction of the Local Administration Act 1980 which came into force on 1 January 1981. The objective of the 1980 Act was to restructure the pattern of local administration in Zambia into an integrated system of administration. As a result, a single politico‐administrative structure has been created in each district to which has been assigned the totality of government and party activity. As a consequence, the structure of local administration will not only bring the decision‐making process to the district level, but also ensure close party control over the mechanism of field administration.
Road to Zambales: Impressions of barrio immersion as a training and development technique in the Philippines
Authors: Shams M. K.
Published: July 2007

The wide range of management training programmes for public servants in the Philippines is closely integrated into career development plans and involves practical work by trainees at village level. Trainees are required to reside in a village for varying periods of time to familiarize themselves with life among the rural poor. The aim is to train local people in self‐reliant project management as well as to train civil servants in rural development. Close relations with villagers provides an invaluable experience for city‐based officials. However, little effort is made to identify the needs of the rural poor. Client groups are selected at meetings dominated by local officials. Officials tend to be “hosted” by relatively wealthy families. Linkages with government agencies at the local level are not made and there is little organizational development among the rural poor to ensure the continuation of projects after the withdrawal of trainees. Nevertheless, the “barangay immersion” approach to management training for rural development has considerable potential.
An innovative approach to metropolitan management in the philippines
Authors: Allport R. J. , Von Einsiedel N.
Published: July 2007

The paper describes the historical development of metropolitan planning and administration in Metro Manila, and identifies five major problems: the sectoral isolation of planning; the inadequate involvement of local government; inadequacies in planning methods; weaknesses in the system of resource management; and institutional fragmentation. The development of the Capital Investment Folio process, its institutional framework and the main characteristics and results of applying the approach are described. The benefits and lessons which have emerged are then set out and their possible application elsewhere discussed. The main achievements of CIF are progress towards a rational system of urban planning; the generation of consensus within government about Manila's investment strategy; a more widespread appreciation of opportunity costs; and a new understanding of how to plan under conditions of uncertainty. It remains for CIF to be integrated into the national resource allocation process, and to be fully accepted by national government agencies. Local government still needs to be positively involved in the planning process.
Performance of the new rural development management system in thailand: A view from the korat development pilot project
Authors: Watjanapoom Poonsiri , Tips Walter E. J.
Published: July 2007

Development management in national rural development has been the subject of much discussion as old‐style integrated rural development planning met with increasing criticism. The Royal Government of Thailand is currently attempting to arrive at comprehensive reform of the development management system within the framework of implementation of its national five‐year plans. This article highlights the reforms and the analysis of past failures. It introduces the new management organization and some procedural highlights. A first experiment with the new system which is currently being carried out in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima is documented, and the opinion of government officials on its performance is reported. The overall reaction is positive: the system does provide a more coordinated implementation. Two bottlenecks remain, however: project monitoring and evaluation should be strengthened; and additional technical training in development planning is needed.
Improving the organization and management of civil service training in Zambia
Authors: Carmichael C. L.
Published: July 2007

This paper describes the first phase (1981‐1984) of a programme being carried out by the Government of Zambia to improve the organization and management of in‐service training for civil servants. General guidelines for an effective training function are outlined. These are compared to the problems of civil service training in Zambia in 1981, where responsibility was fragmented, co‐ordination was poor, work concentrated on routine administration, and the background of training staff was often inappropriate. A set of recommendations was agreed for resolving these problems, including the creation of a central training directorate and a cadre of full‐time training staff. The package of proposals was designed to increase accountability, improve co‐ordination, improve the quality of training staff, and introduce systematic training procedures. The progress with implementing these changes is evaluated; the greatest progress was in setting up the cadre of training staff, although significant progress was also made in other areas. The paper concludes that the conditions for an effective training function have been created and that a longer‐term programme to develop the new training cadre is now required. The Zambian example provides a possible model for any country thinking of introducing similar changes.
The district and support for primary health care: The management experience from large‐scale projects
Authors: Patrick Vaughan J. , Smith Duane
Published: July 2007

With the implementation of primary health care policies the need for more effective management support at the intermediate or district level has become apparent, but experience is poorly documented. This article reviews the management experience of large‐scale district‐level projects in Ghana, India, Iran, Korea, Philippines, Thailand and Zaïre. The lessons point to a strong need to strengthen district‐level management and for greater decentralization. These in turn will require a review of the present organizational health structures and the strengthening of national‐level planning and management capacity.
About pigs?: Decisions, outcomes and project planning
Authors: De Valk Peter , Sibanda Backson M. C.
Published: July 2007

At the heart of a misleading conceptualisation of policy practice is what we refer to as the ‘common‐sense’, ‘mainstream’ or ‘linear’ model of public policy. This model represents public policy as a dichotomous linear process, of two distinct but sequential phases. The process begins with a decision or a sequence of activities which culminate in a decision. The decision also constitutes a ‘policy’. Then there is a break. On the other side of the divide is ‘policy implementation’ … the unthinking acceptance of the mainstream model in policy analysis has … important and dangeous consequences (Clay and Schaffer, 1985, p.3).
Decentralized planning in Kenya
Authors: Cohen John M. , Hook Richard M.
Published: July 2007

In 1983 the Government of Kenya embarked on an accelerated programme of decentralization known as ‘District Focus’. This exercise in devolution is aimed at promoting more effective and efficient use of scarce domestic resources through efforts to strengthen planning capacity at the district level, improve horizontal integration among operating ministry field agents, and expand authority to district heads of operating ministries for managing financial and procurement aspects of local project implementation. Given the importance of this initiative to the economic growth of Kenya and the current search for administrative reforms that could help accelerate rural development in Africa, District Focus merits close attention by development experts. This article reviews the historical background, content, and implementation progress of District Focus.
Rural development management in Nepal, Part II: Implementation in the Karnali—Bheri Integrated Rural Development Programme
Authors: Upadhyay Pradip Prasad , Tips Walter E. J.
Published: July 2007

This paper looks at the implementation of rural development management in Nepal, especially how the implementation of the Karnali—Bheri Integrated Rural Development Programme is managed. The empirical data are provided by the officials themselves, and touch on organizational competence and responsibilities, the role of district line agencies. management mechanisms, inter‐organizational cooperation, local leadership and local support of organizations and people. It is concluded that several reorganizations of power relationships, resource allocation and administrative mandates are needed to improve the feasibility of effectively managed implementation in the Karnali—Bheri programme. In a wider context, rural development management in Nepal will only be possible if the development administration reforms itself for greater management and implementation potential.
Tanzania's expert‐led planning: An assessment
Authors: Armstrong A.
Published: July 2007

In common with most other African nations, a combination of expanding aid inflows and critical manpower shortages in Tanzania has enabled foreign planning experts to exert a growing strategic influence over the design of regional and rural development. Despite certain undoubted benefits attributable to the work of these experts, this broader assessment concludes that their contribution is often ineffective in the shorter term, and frequently damaging and distorting in the longer term. Widespread procedural problems ranging from time and logistic constraints and relative ignorance, together with the difficulties arising from the role of outside experts vis‐à‐vis the local planning bureaucracy, including elitism, poor communication and excessive demands, partly explain this. More fundamental distortions are the result of their tendency to displace rather than supplement local capacity, the perpetuation of dependence mentality, their removal from the implementation process and unfortunate demonstration effects consequent upon their privileged working and personal lifestyles. The negative outcome of Tanzania's continuing expertise dependence is discussed, and doubt is cast on the transferability of planning expertise from rich to poor nations.
Canadian aid for the training of public servants in Ghana and Zimbabwe
Authors: McAllister Ian
Published: July 2007

The Canadian International Development Agency has co‐sponsored a number of training programmes for public servants. In this article two of the larger programmes are examined, one with the Government of Ghana, the other with Zimbabwe. The main work with Ghana was undertaken in that country: much of the work with Zimbabwe was undertaken in Canada—for different reasons and with somewhat different results. Over 400 officials have completed the basic courses (generally of 3 months duration). Others have attended shorter courses, training‐of‐trainers projects, and a workshop for cabinet ministers. In this paper questions are explored about the relevance of such training, the nature of the content and ways to evaluate such activities. Practical issues of aid planning and implementation are raised and, finally, questions of aid targets are examined in the light of the experiences of these programmes.
Environmental planning, administration and management in Nigerian Cities: The example of Benin City, Bendel State
Authors: Omuta Gideon E. D.
Published: July 2007

Third World cities are characterized by weak administrative and managerial capacity for environmental planning. Benin City, Nigeria, is no exception. Benin's environmental problems result largely from its unplanned land use and weak development control. These problems include lack of open space, substandard housing and an increasing volume of refuse. The administrative arrangements to handle environmental problems include the Town Planning Division, which enforces building and housing codes and land use regulations; and the Task Force on Environmental Sanitation, responsible for solid waste management. However, these arrangements have not produced satisfactory results. Failure has been due partly to the ad hoc organization of environmental administration; the overlapping perception of environmental problems; the alienation of the public; dispersal of authority; and the scale of jurisdictional units. Effective environmental planning administration must adopt a holistic approach, which recognizes the need for a comprehensive environmental planning and a concentration of environmental authority. This is based on the premise that environmental issues are the responsibility of one agency but an obligation for all. Structurally, the concentration of environmental authority hinges on the principle of cooperative leadership by the Federal Government. This calls urgently for the establishment of a Federal Environmental Protection Agency at the centre, and Environmental Management Boards at state levels. The Boards would provide an administrative umbrella under which the management of various aspects of the environment are coordinated. In order to maximize the cooperation of the public, the traditional power structure of the Oba (paramount chiefs and community leaders) must be involved in the conception and implementation of environmental planning. Citizen participation would in turn be maximized if the neighbourhood is adopted as the jurisdictional unit, upon which environmental administration and management are systematically built.
The local state and urban local government in Zambia
Authors: Rakodi Carole
Published: July 2007

It is argued, with reference to urban local government in Zambia, particularly in Lusaka, that recent debates on the form and functions of the national state in Africa may be used to illuminate the working of the urban local state. Available evidence on the class interests represented in the urban local state is reviewed, and these interests and their actions with respect to personal accumulation and political clientelism are found to be similar to those found at the national level. The urban local state in Zambia performs functions similar to those which have been revealed by analyses of other countries, although the nature of these functions, and the extent to which they are successfully performed, is influenced by the political and economic context, the institutional framework and especially the constraints imposed by central government on local autonomy. The changes proposed in the 1980 Local Administration Act are outlined, and a preliminary assessment made of the extent to which they are likely to change the form and functions of the urban local state.
Government administration in a very small microstate: Developing the turks and Caicos Islands
Authors: Kersell John E.
Published: July 2007

As in the preceding articles on Bermuda and the Cayman Islands (Kersell, 1985 and 1987), our present purpose is simply to describe how a Commonwealth microstate, the Turks and Caicos Islands, has adapted the principles of the Westminster‐Whitehall model to its particular conditions. It is even smaller than Bermuda or Cayman, and far less prosperous. Thus it has found it necessary to further scale down both jobs (to create employment) and services (to economize). To accomplish the latter, it must also omit altogether a number of government activities. The Turks and Caicos Islands are the least developed as compared to Bermuda, Cayman, or even the British Virgin Islands. It is interesting that they alone have not only tried to conserve their traditional economic base in fisheries, but have also launched vigorously into mariculture on several fronts. Later than Bermuda and Cayman, they have turned to tourism and offshore finance in order to develop economically. The base for such development, as elsewhere, is their people–a resource threatened more seriously than elsewhere by the North American appetite for illicit drugs.
Self‐help training for planning urban development: An innovation in on‐the‐job learning in Nigeria
Authors: Mattingly Michael
Published: July 2007

Forced to be innovative, a short course conducted in Nigeria for urban planners produced good results, although the bulk of the direction and teaching was provided by government town planners with no previous teaching experience. A crucial factor appears to have been the course structure, which was not only based upon learning while performing a project, but also required repetition of the project tasks in two cycles. The learning was enhanced because the project was a piece of work from the current programme of the planning agency which operated the course. This effect, and the utility of the conclusions of the project work, are likely to contribute significantly to the institutional development of the planning agency. There are important implications for further training of this kind in Nigeria, implying that experienced trainers are less in need, that a group capable of conducting future short courses can be built of government planning officers, and that training should be conducted within operating institutions of government.
The military and bureaucracy in Greece – 1967–1974
Authors: Danopoulos Constantine P.
Published: July 2007

This article attempts to examine and analyse the Greek military regime's (1967‐1974) relations with the country's administrative apparatus. After briefly tracing the historical and ecological dimensions of these two institutions the article analyses their relations during the 7‐year period on the basis of Eckstein and Gurr's superordinate‐subordinate theoretical framework. The relevant data, which include interviews with senior civil servants as well as military officers, indicate that due to the nature of their profession, which emphasizes discipline and strict subordination, the military as political governors create an atmosphere to which the less regimented and more give‐and‐take‐oriented bureaucracies have difficulty becoming accustomed. Military regimes and administrators do not enjoy the best of relations.
Local government and development in a regional city: The case of Iloilo City, Philippines
Authors: Rüland Juergen , Sajo Tomas A.
Published: July 2007

The development of urban hinterland centres, known as the Regional Cities Development Project (RCDP), is a key strategy applied by the Philippine government to rectify the country's grave regional imbalances. Yet RCDP has not markedly altered the distorted demographic, spatial and economic growth patterns of the Philippines. Unlike the sizeable body of literature which mainly explains failures of the ‘growth centre approach’ by economic factors emanating from the metropolis‐periphery relationship, this study places greater emphasis on politico‐administrative factors that affect regional city development. The article demonstrates that regional city development in Iloilo City–one of four Philippine secondary centres selected as RCDP sites–is impeded by an elitist, conservative local oligarchy, excessive patronage politics, severe financial constraints, limited managerial capabilities, a low degree of local autonomy, over‐politicization and the impact of an adverse economic environment. Following an in‐depth analysis of the politico‐administrative culture of Iloilo City, the authors present suggestions that in the long run may positively affect the city's developmental path.
Predictors of success in a participatory village development project in Thailand
Authors: Useem Michael , Setti Lou , Kanchanabucha Kanung
Published: July 2007

Participatory development strategies are known to mobilize rural resources, but their effectiveness depends on local conditions. This article evaluates the potential importance of three facilitating factors: competing opportunities, development experience, and local leadership. The impact of these factors on project outcome is examined through study of a rural development project undertaken from 1982 to 1985 in southern Thailand. The project used participatory techniques to build self‐guided problem‐solving groups in 21 poor villages. The village groups launched income‐generating, health, education and related efforts that attracted the participation of large numbers of village residents. Comparison of the village project experiences confirms that: participatory strategies are more effective in villages that (1) are relatively isolated from competing urban opportunities (villagers are more prepared to invest their own resources in the community); (2) have prior experience with development efforts and community endeavours (villagers are more open to learning new approaches); (3) hold greater confidence in traditional village leaders and local government agents. When local leadership is not held in great confidence, participatory strategies are found to encourage the emergence of new leadership that can successfully guide project efforts.
Designing training for development administration: Lessons from India's experience
Authors: Sanwal Mukul
Published: July 2007

This paper is based on a programme being carried out by the Government of India to provide regular in‐service training for administrators. The experience shows that an effective training design is to be based on the requirements of the development paradigm, to improve interaction between government agencies and the public and between agencies themselves. There is need for caution in transposing prescriptions from management, since the nature of the problems, environment and work, all differ. It is also not sufficient to say that the training should improve knowledge, skills and attitudes. There is a need to be more specific in these interventions–how much of each input is needed; for whom and with what objectives; in what manner and by whom; how frequently? The paper argues that the training content for all levels of administrators should concentrate on organizational rather than functional needs. The paper concludes with an outline of a training policy framework for administrative management, and observes that effective demand must be created for such training. The Indian example provides a possible model for developing countries designing training for public administrators.
Developing the British Virgin Islands: The first Crown colony
Authors: Kersell John E.
Published: July 2007

In an analysis of the administration of government in the British Virgin Islands the Deputy Governor's use of team or collective management techniques stands out as an important factor in the success of the Islands in coping with problems of small scale and of sparse resources. This method of reaching general decisions may be rooted in the country's African heritage, which was little touched by the brief attempt of English planters to develop a colony in the Islands. In any event, this heritage may be reinforceable as a bulwark against Americanization.
The rise and fall of the national ‘decentralized agencies’ in Colombia
Authors: Collins Charles David
Published: July 2007

The public sector in Latin America has been characterized by the proliferation of national semi‐autonomous bodies known as ‘decentralized agencies’. This article focuses on such agencies in Colombia from the 1960s onwards. Attention will be paid to their institutional proliferation and how this affected local government, particularly in the fields of water and sanitation. Such changes in state organization have not been problem free. The growth of ‘decentralized agencies’ has been associated with problems of inefficiency, administrative confusion and problems of social and political unrest. Indeed, such contradictions have resulted in the issue of decentralization being placed on the political agenda and the development of innovative and administrative reforms that could breathe new life into local government.
Institutional innovation, development and environmental management: An ‘administrative trap’ revisited. Part II
Authors: Baker Randall
Published: July 2007

The first part of this article [vol 9, no. 1] examined the ways in which the structure and division of responsibilities within public administrations often rendered them unable to perceive or cope with broad problems of environmental decline. In the developing world this is compounded by the contradictions between pressures for economic survival versus the long‐term considerations for sustainability and conservation in the policy arena. In this second part the author reviews and evaluates further areas of administrative innovation in this area and considers the climate for policy and institutional change 25 years after the Stockholm Conference. In conclusion, basic principles guiding policy formulation, methodology and administrative organization are presented to allow administrations to gain some ground in the worsening environmental balance sheet.
Bureaucracy, organization culture and development
Authors: Franks Tom
Published: July 2007

The first part of the paper discusses the concept of organizational culture and highlights its value as an aid to understanding the way organizations work. Using four basic models of organization culture (power, role, task and person) the paper then goes on to describe a questionnaire survey of cultures in development organizations. The questionnaire required two sets of responses: firstly an indication of preferred organization culture and secondly the respondents' perception of the way their organization actually works. Whilst the vast majority of respondents prefer task‐orientated cultures, most actually perceive themselves to be operating in a role culture (bureaucracy), whilst a large minority perceives a power (political) culture. These results demonstrate an inherent tension in many people's working lives. They also indicate the necessity of taking into account the political environment of work when designing training courses; few organizations appear to operate in the rational way upon which many development techniques and practices are posited. In the final part of the paper there is discussion of the need to make a modification to the basic cultural models in order to make them particularly relevant to developing countries.
Evaluation's serendipity: A new approach in evaluating training impact
Authors: Gunesekera Romesh
Published: July 2007

Evaluating training impact is most productive when carried out by means of in‐country interviews. But such interviewing can be distorted by ‘evaluation hospitality’, and therefore needs to develop a flexible comprehensive ‘evaluation habit’. It has not been sufficiently recognized that evaluating impact not only helps develop a training course, but also has a therapeutic value for ex‐trainees and is an effective form of follow‐up. The evaluation process itself can intensify and increase the extent of training impact and therefore should be an integral part of any training package.
The development of small‐scale irrigation in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Carter Richard C.
Published: July 2007

The performance of irrigation schemes in sub‐Saharan Africa has generally been discouraging. This has been particularly true of large‐scale formal smallholder developments. Recently attention has been turning increasingly to small‐scale farmer‐managed irrigation, generally utilizing simple, low‐cost methods of water control. While not yet very prominent in Government planning and policy statements, small‐scale irrigation has been espoused enthusiastically by farmers, non‐governmental organizations and some international agencies. In this approach to rural development external agencies act as catalysts of change, technical advisors, channels for capital funding and intermediaries between farmer groups and other organizations. Although generally limited in physical size and sophistication of technology, small‐scale irrigation nevertheless experiences the complexities inherent in the management of land and water, and of social, political and economic change. Research and development needs are wide‐ranging, and attention to them is likely to be fruitful in terms of increasingly effective rural development strategies.
The relevance of privatization to developing economies
Authors: Heald David
Published: July 2007

Policy design is important for both public enterprise reform and privatization. The obstacles to privatization and the incentives to carry out ‘inappropriate’ privatization are considered. Discussions of privatization as divestiture need to be integrated into a wider policy framework. Privatization also needs to be considered in relation to specific sectors, and not as a blanket panacea. Policy reform should be built on a proper analysis of the weaknesses of the public enterprise sector. Real commitment to public enterprise reform has been lacking in many developing countries. Three dilemmas experienced in the privatization programmes of developed economies are considered for their relevance to developing countries: budgetary stress, competition versus denationalization, and ‘people's capitalism’. The distinctive characteristics of developing economies are considered including the availability of policy instruments, social costs, and the ability to negotiate with multinationals. Two matters in particular require urgent attention: the sponsoring arrangements for public enterprises; and arrangements concerning subsidiaries. The relevance of privatization lies in the promotion of competition and divestiture of enterprises in industrial sectors which can be made competitive, not in the invitation of large‐scale privatizations which raise complex monopoly and regulatory problems.
Challenges of maintaining a management development programme
Authors: Thomason Jane A. , Newbrander William C.
Published: July 2007

The long term success of PNG's experiment with decentralization of health functions depends on the continued improvements in management at the operational levels of the health system. In 1986 the Department of Health initiated a management support programme for the intermediate level of the health system, which combined distance learning modules with periodic on‐the‐job consultation with provincial health managers. The initial results of this process have been encouraging. The primary challenge ahead, if this process is to succeed on a long term basis, is developing a means of institutionalizing the approach, identifying local resources to support the process, and developing the leadership that is necessary to it. This paper addresses the issues of maintaining and improving the management development programme.
Rheology of highly filled natural CaCO3 composites. I. Effects of solid loading and particle size distribution on capillary rheometry
Authors: Kaully T. , Siegmann A. , Shacham D.
Published: July 2007

The rheology of poly(di‐methyl siloxane) suspensions containing various loadings of natural CaCO3 particles, of several particle size distributions, was studied using capillary rheometry. Highly loaded suspensions were investigated, emphasizing the unique behavior of high filler loaded compositions. Mild shear thinning was observed for most suspensions, whereas shear thickening was observed for suspensions containing nearly maximal possible solid loadings. The dominancy of particle size distribution was demonstrated by studying the relative suspensions viscosity as function of shear rate. It was further illustrated by the influence of the filler specific surface area on the flow properties. A seemingly slight changes in the particles‐specific surface area caused significant changes in the viscosity of maximal solid loaded unimodal suspensions. Fair agreement with the Chong and Krieger and Dougherty models was found for unimodal suspensions, while the combined Farris–Chong model showed an improved fit for the bimodal suspensions. Evidence for wall slip was demonstrated, using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry, as a clear difference in the extrudate outer and bulk compositions; although no influence on the flow data was observed. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:512–523, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers