bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Commonwealth programme for applied studies in government: The commonwealth secretariat's division for the development of public management
Authors: Gomez Raja G. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe Programme of Applied Studies in Government in the Commonwealth Secretariat has been in operation for five years, and in this article the Assistant Director reports on the major features of the Programme. The staff of the Programme have arranged conferences and seminars, facilitated training and published bibliographies on topics and in a form that make them useful to civil service practitioners and institutions with small libraries. Matters to which attention has been given include the use in government of advances in science and technology, the functioning and role of public enterprise and among more specialized topics administration in microstates. The article emphasizes the way attention is given to application in the work of the Programme.
Administrative aspects of the Uganda election—December 1980: A comparison with Zimbabwe
Authors: Hardwick Simon 
Published: July 2007

AbstractSince international observers were used to give legitimacy both to the Uganda and Zimbabwe elections in 1980 there is an obvious point of comparison between them. Despite this initial similarity comparing the administration of the elections in the two emphasizes the differences and draws attention to the administrative problems in Uganda resulting from the use of a law and procedures which derived from different circumstances in the country and which assumed an experience in operating elections which was largely lacking. This article explains problems encountered and points to lessons to be learnt.
The place of local social realities in developmental work
Authors: Willson‐Pepper C. R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThere have long been attempts to humanize the conduct of development by taking into account the mental and cultural constitution of those amongst whom it is to occur. Very largely, these have been unsuccessful owing in part to the conception that has been used of the things of which account has to be taken. In consequence, developmental thought has remained mechanistic and impersonal generally and corresponding problems afflict development practice. Seeing this approach exemplified in the two articles by Rondinelli and Mandel (1981a, 1981b) the author takes issue with it. He argues in the light of experience with health planning and medical practice that fresh attention should be given both to understanding local social realities and to the way in which development work could be related to such realities. In the process the author suggests that the value of the approaches characteristic of social anthropology should be more widely recognized.
The Solomon Islands: The experiment in decentralization
Authors: Premdas Ralph R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe Solomon Islands became independent in 1978. Influenced by developments in neighbouring Papua New Guinea, a plan for provincial government has been introduced in order ostensibly to achieve more effective decentralization than operated through local government councils. This article describes the successive attempts at establishing local government councils and discusses the present plan for provincial government in the context of experience with local councils. The plan is seen as an attempt at returning power to the people and avoiding the development of a centralized authority serving the interests of those associated with Central government.
Local Government and decentralization in the Sudan
Authors: Norris M. W. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe establishment of an effective local government system has been imperative in the Sudan both on account of the vast scale of the country and the decentralization policies of successive governments. District councils were initially established in 1951 following the Marshall Report, but were by stages superseded as budgetary authorities, and reduced to unimportance by the People's Local Government System in 1971, which vested responsibility in Councils at the Provincial level. The subsequent difficulties experienced by this system indicate the value of the District, now renamed Area, as a level for a multipurpose local authority in the Sudan, and explain the reemphasis of this level in the 1981 Local Government Act.This article summarizes the experience leading up to the 1981 Act, and examines the extent to which the new legislation offers an effective structure. The finance of local government, a recurrent problem in the Sudan, emerges as a critical issue, together with the future role of the Provincial Commissioner.
Management of forest resources in India
Authors: Bowonder B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractManagement of forest resources is a major problem area in developing countries. Basing discussion of the problem on the situation in India this article recognizes the importance of a rational pricing policy but also argues that forest administration has to be strengthened. Regeneration of forest resources has to be stimulated by price improvements and encouraging investment but regeneration and rural development involving social and agro forestry are also required. Forest administration has to be developed to cope with these different requirements. The article questions the argument concerning institution building for development forestry advanced by Guess (1982).
Organizational structures and the development project planning sequence
Authors: Johnson Keith 
Published: July 2007

AbstractVariants of the project planning sequence or cycle are widely employed to provide the conceptual framework for investment in developing countries. However, the current models attempt to generalize activity sequences across a range of projects with differing objectives. They also tend to abstract project planning from its institutional context, and to make little allowance for the possibility that alternative approaches to organizational and managerial problems may be available. The article outlines a technique that facilitates the analysis of active‐organization patterns. Commencing with the classical tripartite system, a number of standard forms are identified and described. A series of observations are then offered on the organizational choices and control procedures that are available for public sector projects. The paper concludes with some remarks on the relationship between project planning and strategies for the development of indigenous institutional capacity in developing countries.
The government versus management controversy: Ascribing responsibility for the failure of a public corporation in Nigeria
Authors: McHenry Dean E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractEfforts to employ public corporations in African countries to promote development have had limited success. A major controversy has developed over who is responsible for such failure. On the one hand are those who accuse management; on the other hand are those who accuse government. This study seeks to assess the merits of the contending arguments through an analysis of Nigeria'S Cross River State Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC). There is a strong prima‐facie case against management. It failed to sustain the enterprise; it failed to produce any profits; it failed to give employees satisfaction in their work; it failed to give strong direction to the corporation; it failed significantly to advance the technology of the ADC; and it made little contribution to the community. But, on close examination, it is apparent that management'S failure was a consequence of structural and financial constraints imposed on it by government. Thus, real responsibility for the failure of the ADC belongs with the government. The reasons for government ‘killing’ its own public corporation are partly constraints imposed on it and partly the opposition of its supporters to public enterprise.
Quality assessment and assurance in hospitals of developing countries
Authors: Eldar R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractQuality assessment and assurance programmes ‐ although widespread in many industrialized countries, particularly in the United States, and achieving their objectives of improving the quality of care ‐ have not been introduced into hospitals of developing countries. The paper discusses the factors that might have impeded the introduction of such programmes into these hospitals. The structure, process and outcomes of health care in developing countries are compared with those of developed countries. The attitudes of government agencies are analysed. The difficulties in the applicability of the criteria, standards and techniques ‐ designed in developed countries ‐ to the conditions existing in the hospitals of developing areas, and the reluctance of governing agencies of these hospitals to provide initiative because of anticipation of consequently increased expenditure, are considered to be the two main impeding factors. The paper further argues the need to promote such programmes in these hospitals and suggests guidelines for their development and implementation in terms of general principles, criteria for the assessment of hospital care, and standards appropriate to local conditions.
A planning‐centred approach to project evaluation: Women in mainstream development projects
Authors: Staudt Kathleen 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis article describes the process and outcomes of a “planning‐centred” approach to three development projects in the Caribbean. A planning‐centred approach to research involves the collaboration of planners and researchers in evaluation research, special attention to the dissemination and use of information and the promotion of contact between planners, sector specialists and recipients of development plans. The planning‐centred approach to research is also conducive to understanding the role of gender in distributive processes. The paper describes the methodology of this form of project evaluation, alternative evaluation procedures and selected evaluation guidelines used by the agencies involved in the three Caribbean projects. The outcomes of a planning‐centred approach are assessed. In the Caribbean projects the approach resulted in the better use of research information, better communication among planners, officials and project participants, greater sensitivity to women's participation in development and improved consciousness of the significance of gender for redistribute development programmes.
Decentralization and local public finance in Tunisia
Authors: Nellis John R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe Tunisian government has long admitted that its excessively centralized administrative and political systems have generated heavy costs in terms of inefficiency and citizen alienation. A major decentralizing reform effort was launched in the mid‐1970s, the most important parts of which dealt with changes in local taxation powers, and in the sources and size of grants and loans which Tunisian communes receive from national sources. The result to date has been a modest increase in communal revenues from the new or increased taxes, and a more significant increase in central government grants to local governments. Smaller and more rural communes are heavily dependent on grants to undertake development actions, their tax base being negligible. The revised systefn generates more revenue, and distributes resources more equitably, than the previous arrangements. In theory, it gives a greatly increased latitude to elected communal councils. Nonetheless, the local governments‐and the communes in particular‐remain severely constrained by central government authorities. The conclusion is that the decentralization reform has been partial and halting, and will in all probability continue in the same manner.
Administrative conflict and decentralization: The case of Sri Lanka
Authors: Oberst Robert 
Published: July 2007

AbstractDecentralization involves changes in administrative structures which induce conflict as vested interests are affected. Such problems have occurred in Sri Lanka. The responses of the different interests involved in development administration to decentralization are examined. A number of propositions concerning group conflict are applied to the implementation of decentralized development policies in Sri Lanka. Decentralization has restructured power among the Kachcheri officials, Members of Parliament and departmental officers. Consequent conflicts within the administration have led to increased problems in the completion of projects. Power struggles could have been avoided by synchronizing political and administrative decentralization and by making the division of power within the bureaucracy explicit.
Nigeria's bureaucratized ombudsman system: An insight into the problem of bureaucratization in a developing country
Authors: Ayeni Victor 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper is a case study of the bureaucratization process in Nigeria's ombudsman institution, otherwise known as the Public Complaints Commission. Proceeding from the premise that the efficacy of modern bureaucratic organizations is predicated on the ability to control bureau—pathologies, an attempt is made to determine success in keeping the bureaucracy in the Public Complaints Commission at an optimum level and thereby mitigating possible negative consequences. The paper argues that, contrary to the situation in most other places, Nigeria's ombudsman institution has developed into an enormous, wasteful and inefficient bureaucracy. The reasons for this situation are largely sociocultural. The Public Complaints Commission has a long history of close, intimate association with the civil service. This has transformed the Commission, more or less, into an arm of the civil service and virtually eliminated its unique ombudsman features. The situation of the Public Complaints Commission is, of course, not peculiar. It is true of most other non‐civil service institutions, such as public enterprises and educational institutions, in Nigeria and most other developing countries. The paper concludes with a number of policy suggestions.
Politics of administrative reform and reorganization in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Mohammad Mohabbat 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe present military government in Bangladesh has implemented a number of major administrative reform and reorganization measures. The government claims that effectuation of such measures has led to the decentralization of power and authority to the grass‐root level ensuring increasing popular participation in administration; the achievement of cost‐effectiveness by reducing the number of ministries, divisions and personnel from the public pay roll and by quickening of the pace of decision‐making due to elimination of redundant bureaucratic layers. But the implementation, in reality, has contributed among other things to the legitimization and strengthening of the military government, and a weakening of the democratically organized political opposition. It also enables generalist civil servants to preserve, and to some extent strengthen, their position within the civil service system.
Organizational implications of information technology in third world countries
Authors: Adkins Roger 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe effective implementation of IT initiatives within organizations depends on its degree of acceptance at the national level and its rate of absorption within the focal organization. This paper focuses on the latter by addressing the key issues influencing the capacity of organizations to successfully implement IT initiatives. The various issues are investigated based on a case study approach using examples from Tanzania, and organized into a systems framework by considering the role of the psycho‐social, the technical, the structural, the goal and the managerial systems in turn. The conclusion highlights the need of appropriate education if the full benefits of IT are to be harvested.
‘Trainingism’ revisited in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Turner Mark M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractDespite much training in public administration over the past 20 years there has been little improvement in public service management in the Third World. This was anticipated in Schaffer's critical notion of ‘trainingism’. This concept, when applied to Papua New Guinea, helps us to understand why training has been unable to produce dramatic changes in public service performance. Training has been used to perform latent functions and has not been evaluated. The situation is currently under review as new initiatives are taking place to improve training's contribution to public service efficiency and effectiveness.
Developing economics expertise for the evaluation of primary health care
Authors: Drummond Michael , Mills Anne 
Published: July 2007

AbstractGiven that government budgets are increasingly stretched in the face of competing demands, there is a pressing need for evidence on the costs and benefits of public sector investments. Nowhere is this need greater than in the health field, where the benefits of programmes are typically difficult to measure. Within the health sector a key area of interest is primary health care, which is generally regarded as a central function and the most important means by which the health of the population can be improved. This paper reports the results of a recent survey of Commonwealth countries which sought to establish the extent of economic evaluation of PHC programmes, the impact on decision‐making and the level of health economics expertise available in Third World countries. Based on the results of the survey, suggestions are made for improving the commissioning and conduct of economic evaluations, for interpreting and implementing evaluation results, and for developing government expertise in economic evaluation.
Administrative reform in Jamaica: A component of structural adjustment
Authors: Kitchen Richard 
Published: July 2007

AbstractJamaica is currently undergoing a major innovative administrative reform programme (ARP). The impetus for the ARP stems from the realization that weak public administration (as prevailed in Jamaica) is a major obstacle to the implementation of economic reforms. The ARP thus became a significant plank of the World Bank's structural adjustment lending to Jamaica. The Jamaican programme is probably the leading and most ambitious attempt at administrative reform in the Third World, and the experiences and lessons learnt can be applied to the many developing countries which are contemplating or implementing similar programmes. The Jamaican experience indicates that the most important ingredients for success are political commitment at the highest level, a determined external agency, a carefully designed but flexible participatory programme which learns as it progresses, and good communication of the reform proposals. Administrative reform is a long‐term process, and it would be dangerous to pitch expectations too high.
Effect of rubbers on the flame retardancy of EVA/ultrafine fully vulcanized powdered rubber/nanomagnesium hydroxide ternary composites
Authors: Gui Hua , Zhang Xiaohong , Dong Weifu , Gao Jianming , Song Zhihai , Lai Jinmei , Liu Yiqun , Huang Fan , Qiao Jinliang , Wang Qingguo 
Published: July 2007

AbstractTwo flame retardant ternary composites of ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/ultrafine fully vulcanized powdered rubber (UFPR)/nanomagnesium hydroxide (MH) were studied in this article. It has been found that carboxyl acrylonitrile butadiene UFPR (CNB‐UFPR) and acrylonitrile butadiene UFPR (NB‐UFPR) have different effect on the flame retardancy of related materials when they are used together with nano‐MH. CNB‐UFPR is in favor of lowering the material's heat release rate during its combustion, while NB‐UFPR benefits the material on the resistance to ignition. Observation on the microstructure of the composites by transmission electron micrograph revealed that the aforementioned two ternary composites have quite different morphology. EVA/CNB‐UFPR/nano‐MH composite exhibits partial encapsulation structure, while EVA/NB‐UFPR/nano‐MH composite has full separation structure. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:479–483, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis and asymmetric polymerization of (S)‐N‐maleoyl‐L‐leucine propargyl ester
Authors: Gao Huajing , Isobe Yukio , Onimura Kenjiro , Oishi Tsutomu 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA kind of N‐substituted maleimide (RMI), chiral (S)‐N‐maleoyl‐L‐leucine propargyl ester ((S)‐PLMI) with a specific rotation of [α]435 = −27.5° was successfully synthesized from maleic anhydride, L‐leucine, and propargyl alcohol. (S)‐PLMI was polymerized by three polymerization methods to obtain the corresponding optically active polymers. Asymmetric anionic, radical, and transition‐metal‐catalyzed polymerizations were carried out using organometal/chiral ligands, 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and (bicyclo [2,2,1]hepta‐2,5‐diene) chloro rhodium (I) dimer ([Rh(nbd) Cl]2), respectively. Poly((S)‐PLMI) obtained by [Rh(nbd)Cl]2 in DMF showed the highest specific rotation of −280.6°. Chiroptical properties and structures of the polymers obtained were investigated by GPC, CD, IR, and NMR measurements. Two types of poly((S)‐PLMI)‐bonded‐silica gels as the chiral stationary phase (CSP) were prepared for high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their optical resolution abilities were also elucidated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3722–3738, 2007
Kinetics of radical copolymerization of [1‐(fluoromethyl)vinyl]benzene with chlorotrifluoroethylene
Authors: Kostov G. , Tredwell M. , Gouverneur V. , Ameduri B. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe synthesis of [1‐(fluoromethyl)vinyl]benzene (or α‐(fluoromethyl)styrene, FMB) and its radical copolymerization with chlorotrifluorethylene (CTFE), initiated by tert‐butyl peroxypivalate (TBPPi) are presented. The allyl monomer [H2C = C(CH2F)C6H5] was obtained by electrophilic fluorodesilylation of trimethyl(2‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)silane in 93% yield. A series of seven copolymerization reactions were carried out starting from initial [CTFE]0/([FMB]0 + [CTFE]0) molar ratios ranging from 19.6 to 90.0 mol %. The molar compositions of the obtained poly(CTFE‐co‐FMB) copolymers were assessed by means of 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Statistic copolymers were produced with molar masses ranging between 13,800 and 25,600 g/mol. From the Kelen and Tudos method, the kinetics of the copolymerization led to the determination of the reactivity ratios, ri, of both comonomers (rCTFE = 0.4 ± 0.2 and rFMB = 3.7 ± 1.8 at 74 °C) showing that FMB is more reactive than CTFE as well as other halogenated or nonhalogenated monomers involved in the radical copolymerization with CTFE. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3843–3850, 2007