JPAS (Journal of Public Administration Studies)

Capital Grants For Local Infrastructure Provision In Perspective Of Allocative Efficiency: Evidence From Indonesia

Naufal Azaki, Achmad Lutfi — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This paper points out reflection on theoretical and empirical literature on the implementation of capital grants or specific purpose transfers as the conceptual basis of Dana Alokasi Khusus (DAK) in Indonesia. As one of the types of intergovernmental transfers, DAK plays a significant role in the local infrastructure provision, particularly in basic services such as roads, housing, drinking water, sanitation, education, irrigation, and tourism. This study uses a literature review approach of (and with no limits on) 16 empirical research results. The paper aims to analyze how far capital grant (DAK) is implemented, the challenges and problems that arise, and the dynamics of policy from the perspective of Allocative Efficiency. The study notes some practical suggestions for improving the DAK design and agenda for future research needed, including the adoption of MTEF in DAK planning for local government, reshaping the formula & criteria used in DAK allocation, possibility of giving relaxation on reallocation authority to spending unit, developing evaluation indicators with a focus on the efficiency & effectiveness of DAK, and directing the influence of political actors & process to improve the quality of policy.

Non-State Actor's Strategy in Advocating the Movement to Reject Development Policy

Hidayatul Fajri, Historis Soterman Halawa, Nila Wahyuni — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Geothermal is one of the potential renewable energy sources in Indonesia. This great potential makes the government try to develop geothermal energy development, one of which is in Mount Talang. However, the development received a rejection from the community, including non-state actors. This study looks at the strategy of the YLBHI Padang Legal Aid Institute in advocating the movement against the construction of geothermal energy-powered power plants. The studying conducted for 6 (six) months. This research design uses qualitative methods. The data sources we collect are interview data, observation results, official texts or policies, journal articles, websites on the internet, newspapers, social media, and youtube. The advocacy strategies carried out by LBH YLBHI Padang are; understanding strategic issues, building opinions and facts to the public, building coalition networks with civil society such as local communities, NGOs, students, national networks, and academics, designing goals and strategies as well as monitor and assess movements. The result of the advocacy carried out by LBH YLBHI Padang was the "temporary" suspension of constructing a geothermal energy power plant in Mount Talang. This research ends with research recommendations such as the need for inclusive stakeholder involvement in the formulation of development policies and 2) the need to grow civil society in the regions to become non-structural control for the government.

Cultural Heritage Accounting for Participatory Governance: A Participatory Action Reseach in Pata'padang Village

Gustin Tanggulungan, Eko Ganis Sukoharsono, Ali Djamhuri, Lilik Purwanti — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The study analyzes the practices of community participation in the initiation of sustainable cultural-tourism development. It will examine the accounting process in this field. In participatory action research, academics, local social actor and local government were collaboratively working as research teams. Actions that are also research methods are FGDs, interviews, and a study tour. The result of the project was a list of cultural heritage as accounting information for the development of tourist attractions and the formation of the Tourist Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) institution which marks the establishment of cohesion among research participants. Data analysis involves thematic analysis and reflection. The research indicated that activities related to the accounting process can serve as a participatory governance mechanism when designed as a value-added process and facilitated by the government's willingness to accept community-initiated activities.

The Relative Influence of Leadership Factors on Employee Retention in Local Government

Wilfred Lameck — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The success of any organization depends on better retention of its employees. Studies on employee retention have reported on how best the organization can devise strategies for retaining its employees. Accordingly, individual and organizational factors have received significant attention over leadership style as a tool for inducing employee retention, particularly in remote areas. This study explores the existing leadership style and its influence on employee retention at Ikungi District Council Tanzania. Qualitative enquiry using a case study was carried out at Ikungi District. Documentary review and interviews were used to collect data. The data were analysed using content analysis and a thematic approach. The findings indicate that leadership style matter the most in employee retention as the decision to remain with the organization is highly determined by how well the subordinates interact with their supervisors.

Perception of Quality Service Provision in Local Government Authorities in Tanzania: A Citizen Participation Perspective

Sospeter Muchunguzi — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Citizen participation is regarded as a process which provides private individuals an opportunity to influence public decisions and has long been a component of the democratic decision making process. The study sought to resolve the puzzle of citizen participation in Tanzania by attempting to decipher why public participation is said to be ample but the quality of health and education services provided is still perceived questionable. The study is conducted within the theoretical lens of the decentralization by devolution model and Stigler’s theory to come up with a more refined approach which envisages that increasing the number of actors in governance may probably help to resolve why decentralization by devolution does not necessarily lead to quality service delivery. The study is basically based on qualitative research design with the aim of seeking to get a deeper information regarding the issue in the two areas under study. The major findings of this study is that in instances where citizens effectively participated there were positive results but in most cases where citizens were not given chance to meaningfully participate dissatisfaction with the kind of social services provided by the government was high. Thus, strengthening local participation is an indispensable ingredient for successful provision of quality services to the citizens. The findings from this article make a valuable contribution towards understanding public participation strategies in both rural and urban areas so as to promote joint decision-making to provide effective and efficient service delivery. Consequently, recommendations are proposed to enhance quality social service provision through effective community engagement.

Implementation of Federal Constituency Projects and the Development of Infrastructure in Kogi State (2012-2022)

Joseph Adeshola Adekeye, Chinedu Valentine Ofoma — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This paper assesses the impact of the implementation of federal constituency projects on the development of infrastructure in Kogi State from 2012 to 2022. The main objective of the study was to determine the contributions of federal constituency projects to the development of economic and social infrastructure in each Senatorial District of Kogi State. Methodologically, a descriptive survey was adopted for the purpose of data collection, analysis and interpretation. Out of 321 questionnaire administered to selected respondents in the 3 Senatorial Districts of Kogi State, 302 were completed and returned appropriately. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) as a tool for data presentation and hypotheses test. Also, the study made use of secondary data sourced from Tracka, journal articles, empirical studies, newspaper publications among others. The findings of the study reveal that the implementation of federal constituency projects has significantly impacted on the development of economic and social infrastructure in some communities in Kogi State while others are yet to benefit. However, the level of constituency projects implementation in Kogi State from 2012-2022 is a far cry from annual budgetary allocation and specifications. This paper therefore recommends that members of each respective constituency in Kogi state must be carried along from the period of project initiation to its completion so as to hold all relevant stakeholders accountable for any lapses. Likewise, the press and Civil Society Organizations are to ensure that legislative oversights are properly carried out in order to ascertain whether project implementation is in line with approved budget.

The Efficacy of Community Participation Towards Land Use Planning in South African Local Municipalities

Malesela Jim Masenya, France Kgobe — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of the paper to examine the efficacy of community participation in land use planning and logically conceptualize it. Participation in the society is understood to be the advantage of a group of citizens to engage in matters that express their eventual growth. As a policy to increase community participation at the community level, the current democratic government has implemented comprehensive municipal planning. For the municipality, land use planning has many significances, especially in resolving human settlement debacles, fostering citizen engagement to decide needs and goals, and addressing the historical spatial inequality brought on by apartheid spatial planning. The execution of land use planning, however, has faced several obstacles, including weak cooperation in areas under the jurisdiction of conventional authorities, unlawful land possession and political intervention, among others. The study argues that if land use planning in South Africa can be well integrated and coordinated the spatial justice can be reached and imbalances of the past can be redressed efficaciously. Nonetheless, the study concludes that communities are also upset with their extent of engagement. Despite the many municipalities general success in achieving citizen engagement, there is already an incomplete backlog in civic interaction owing to unethical activities, budget constraints, lack of capacity and improper targeting.