Journal of Public Administration and Governance最新文献

{"title":"Strategic Initiatives for Public Service Modernization: The Case of Key Focus Activities (KFAs) in Sarawak, Malaysia","authors":"E. B. Aeries, Superi Awang Said, Pei Nei Chong, Perez Ibai","doi":"10.5296/jpag.v14i1.21303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v14i1.21303","url":null,"abstract":"Governments worldwide recognize the necessity of modernizing their public administration systems to adapt to evolving socioeconomic and technological landscapes. In Sarawak, Malaysia, the Key Focus Activities (KFA) is part of the Sarawak Civil Service initiatives to transform and optimize the civil service. The KFA initiative aims to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness by developing, reviewing, improving, and reengineering policies, regulations, processes, systems, and procedures. An analysis of 67 Rakyat KFA project reports evaluated the reliability of data captured and the contribution of KFA projects to Sarawak Government objectives. Findings highlighted the need for improved data capture and user-friendliness of the KFA system. Many KFA projects focused on tactical, isolated achievements rather than broader, inter-agency solutions. To maximize the impact of KFA projects, recommendations were proposed. These include enhancing KFA project report’s clarity, fostering knowledge sharing and inter-agency collaboration, and promoting public participation. The KFA initiative showcases the Sarawak Government's commitment to enhancing its civil service, in line with global trends. By addressing the identified areas for improvement, the initiative can optimize service delivery, resource utilization, and responsiveness to citizen needs. As the transformation journey continues, reevaluating and realigning the KFA initiative is essential to maintain its relevance and effectiveness in fulfilling the Sarawak Government's long-term priorities and strategic goals.","PeriodicalId":360263,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Administration and Governance","volume":"344 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141012100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The US Department of Veterans Affairs: Disparities in Disability Compensation Approval Rates for ethnic minority Veterans, what is the Way Forward?","authors":"J. N. Anyu, Yolandra A. Plummer, Duvalier J. Malone","doi":"10.5296/jpag.v14i1.21483","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v14i1.21483","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction and Background: The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) provides social services to eligible military veterans, including education, rehabilitation, healthcare, and compensation payments. However, the VA has faced challenges in administration management claims, with significant disparities in initial claim approval rates between racial and ethnic groups. Minority veterans, including African Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, Native Americans/Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, may qualify for numerous benefits. Briefly describe the research problem or question, providing context for the study. Objectives or Research Questions: How disparities in disability compensation approval rates among ethnic minority veterans compared to white veterans within the US Department of Veterans Affairs and mitigate strategies?\" The study's main objective is to address disability compensation approval rate disparities for ethnic minority veterans by identifying causes, assessing impact, recommending solutions, ensuring equity, and monitoring progress. Methodology: The study analyzed disability compensation approval rates for minority veterans within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) using a quantitative research design. Data was collected from VA administrative records and databases. A representative sample of 100 claim applications was selected. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed significant disparities in approval rates, controlling for age and disability severity. Results: The study found that minority veterans had the lowest approval rate for disability claims, at 61%, compared to 75% for white veterans. Conclusion: The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has been criticized for racial disparities in disability compensation claims, with white veterans receiving the highest approval rates and African American veterans receiving the lowest. The VA's leadership's negligence and failure to address these disparities have led to systematic benefit obstruction for minority veterans. The study recommends enhancing training programs, implementing an equity action plan, and developing standardized guidelines for all veterans.","PeriodicalId":360263,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Administration and Governance","volume":"311 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141012527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Work Environment and Job Performance: The Mediating Role of Office Ergonomics","authors":"Mashala Lameck Yusuph, Lazaro Alman Kisumbe","doi":"10.5296/jpag.v14i1.20125","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v14i1.20125","url":null,"abstract":"This study aimed to address the influence of the Work Environment on employees’ health and safety, comfort, and task accomplishment by investigating office ergonomics as the possible underlying mechanism. The study was conducted in Dodoma City Council, specifically in the ward and Mitaa offices. Data were collected from 79 respondents through a questionnaire. Data were analyzed quantitatively using the Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis, and the Sobel test was performed to assess if the mediator variable was significant enough to mediate the relationship between variables. The study has found that work environment and ergonomics have a linear and positive relationship (r = 0.5433, p < .0001). The results have also indicated that ergonomics is related to employee health and safety, comfort, and task accomplishment. The study revealed that most offices in lower local government authorities in Dodoma City Council need ergonomically designed chairs and tables, adequate quality air, and lighting. Inadequacy of these elements risks the office bearers' health and safety, comfort, and performance. Therefore, ergonomics should be a strategic aspect in enhancing work efficiency and productivity in lower local government in Tanzania.","PeriodicalId":360263,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Administration and Governance","volume":"237 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141012843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of Local Elected Leaders’ Roles in Promoting Community Participatory Development: A Case Study of Kidegembye Ward in Njombe District Council, Tanzania","authors":"Lazaro Alman Kisumbe, Mashala Lameck Yusuph","doi":"10.5296/jpag.v14i1.18640","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v14i1.18640","url":null,"abstract":"The study examined the influence of elected leaders' roles in promoting community participatory development. The study was undertaken at Kidegembye ward in Njombe district council. The study area was purposively selected because, in 2018, it ranked second nationally in terms of environmental sanitation and cleanliness. This resulted from collective community efforts to enhance cleanliness in the area. A total of 11 respondents were purposely selected for the study, including village leaders, women's groups dealing with handicrafts, and members of the school and health committee. A case study was applied to get insights regarding the influence of the elected leaders' roles in promoting community participatory development. Interview guide and observations were used to collect data. The findings revealed that elected leaders play some roles in influencing participatory development. The roles include community mobilization for construction infrastructures for education and health services at Kidegembye ward. However, no evidence was registered regarding the influence of leaders’ roles in supporting community initiatives related to economic activities. This raised a question on the prevalence of effective community participation. If effective community participation could be in place, projects beyond the push of the ministries would be enhanced. The study recommended that leaders play a part in social and economic activities. Likewise, the political party should establish mechanisms that can be used to assess the elected leaders' performance to improve their creativity in enhancing community participation for development.","PeriodicalId":360263,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Administration and Governance","volume":"164 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141013306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Influence of Political Memes on Political Marketing Strategy in Malaysia","authors":"Mohd Azmir Mohd Nizah, Afi Roshezry Bin Abu Bakar, Mohamad Afzanizzam Zahran, Munirah Aayuni Mohd Mokhtar","doi":"10.5296/jpag.v14i1.21881","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v14i1.21881","url":null,"abstract":"Rapid development and quick-moving media not only change how people behave and communicate but also completely alter the marketing approach used to promote politics to maintain political power. The usage of memes in politics has also altered the agenda-setting of social groups that are concerned with Malaysian politics. This study aims to examine the impact of political memes on Malaysian youth, particularly on their decision to vote in general elections at the age as early as of 18. It also tries to examine the elements that make memes effective political marketing tools. Using a quantitative study involving 400 young people, it discovered that politics and memes had an impact on the younger generation. Further study is imperative to investigate on the young people preference that influenced their political decision making.","PeriodicalId":360263,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Administration and Governance","volume":"96 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141015941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Five-year Performance Contracts and Service Delivery in Local Authorities in Zimbabwe: The Case of Ruwa","authors":"Brenda Mutengambiri, Daniel Somane, Chipo Joyce Chigome, Gay Gweshe, Mervis Chiware","doi":"10.5296/jpag.v14i1.21880","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v14i1.21880","url":null,"abstract":"Globally, public sector institutions are struggling to offer public services effectively and efficiently. Zimbabwe has introduced five-year performance contracts in the public sector in order to address challenges bedeviling the public sector institutions. This study sought to analyse the impact of five-year performance contracts on local authorities’ service delivery. The literature reviewed showed that Zimbabwe’s public sector organization have a long-standing history of under performance. Performance contracts were therefore, introduced to rectify performance challenges in the public sector. A qualitative inquiry of a case study indicated that political interference, financial challenges, lack of skills of the employees and lack of commitment of the leaders are among the factors leading to poor implementation of performance contracts. As a way forward research recommends the transformation of the structural mechanisms underlying the implementation of performance contracts, training of employees, reimbursement of local authorities by the central government and inclusion of the lower-level employees in setting of targets. Widespread awareness-raising campaigns of both the need for performance contracts and the benefits of such measures are needed.","PeriodicalId":360263,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Administration and Governance","volume":"1 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141020901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parenting Styles, Self-Efficacy and Pornography Addiction: A Correlation Study Among Malaysian Higher Private Educational Institution Students","authors":"Nora Adeeb Abdul Razak, Muhammad Asyraf Che Amat","doi":"10.5296/jpag.v13i4.21599","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v13i4.21599","url":null,"abstract":"Parenting styles are essential to meeting children's developmental needs, enhancing their overall life quality, and ensuring they grow up as responsible and competent adults. Pornography addiction has been examined in numerous studies in relation to parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive); however, there is little information available on Malaysian students attending private universities. The current study analysed the correlation between parenting style, self-efficacy, and pornography addiction among 295 private university students. Students were asked to respond to self-administered online questionnaires. The instruments adopted in this study include the Pornography Addiction Screening Tool, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Parental Authority Questionnaire. The findings showed that there are significant relationships between parenting styles, self-efficacy, and pornography addiction. Further analysis of Spearman’s correlation found positive and statistically significant relationships between both fathers’ and mothers’ authoritarian and permissive parenting styles and pornography addiction. The correlation between both fathers’ and mothers’ authoritative parenting styles and pornography addiction was negligible and statistically insignificant. The relationship between fathers’ parenting styles and pornography addiction was weaker compared to mothers’. Self-efficacy had a significant and positive correlation with pornography addiction. This study suggests that parenting styles and self-efficacy are crucial criteria for early psychological growth, with self-efficacy increasing students’ confidence to strive in chosen activities and resist destructive behaviours. Implications for university educators and counsellors, academicians, community leaders, and lawmakers are highlighted to help overcome the growing addiction to pornography among Malaysian youths, particularly at the university level.","PeriodicalId":360263,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Administration and Governance","volume":"5 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139450893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Innovation in the Development of Teaching Aids among Prospective Teachers for the Implementation of Assessment of Reading Skills","authors":"Halimah Jamil","doi":"10.5296/jpag.v13i4.21601","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v13i4.21601","url":null,"abstract":"The use of teaching aids during the teaching and learning process (T&L) is very important for teachers to ensure that the delivery of information related to the subjects taught is more clear, systematic and can be followed by students better. Educators of the 21st century are advised to innovate in developing teaching aids to improve in the Malay language skills continuously as contained in the Malaysian Education Development Plan (PPPM) 2013-2025. The research question of this study is i) what kind of teaching aids are developed by prospective teachers in teaching and learning Malay language?, ii) what is the challenge of developing innovative teaching aids among prospective teachers for teaching and learning the Malay language, and iii) what are the skills of innovation in the development of teaching aids among prospective teachers for teaching and learning the Malay language?. The qualitative survey involved a total of seven prospective Malay Language teachers. The results of the study through interviews and observations found that the development of teaching aids showed that the participants have high skills and knowledge, the participants have creative and innovative skills by combining various materials, can move the T&L process more effectively in developing teaching aids for Malay language and Malay literature. The results of teaching aids innovations that they develop help students to easily understand the topics taught in class. The diversity in the selection of teaching aids in this study can be applied to other subjects in future studies.","PeriodicalId":360263,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Administration and Governance","volume":"42 26","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139451696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges of Rural Teachers' Development in Remote Areas of Western China","authors":"Yong Zhongzhuoma, Nor Azni Abdul Aziz","doi":"10.5296/jpag.v13i4.21598","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v13i4.21598","url":null,"abstract":"This paper discusses the challenges of rural teachers' development in Western China. Rural teachers are the backbone of China's basic education as well as the key and future of rural basic education development. How to inject and retain rural teachers as well as stabilize the ranks of rural teachers is fundamental to improving the quality of rural basic education, including promoting rural revitalization. Via the investigation of rural schools in Western China, this paper discovered that there are still several challenges in the development of rural teachers, for instance, teacher structure deviation, low overall educational background, serious substitute teachers, few training times, simple training methods, poor training effect, and serious teacher loss. According to the interview results, the existing challenges among rural teachers are analyzed, and recommendations are given, which include obtaining a rational allocation of teacher resources, optimizing the teacher structure, strengthening teacher training, enhancing the overall quality of teachers, and improving the incentive system in detail.","PeriodicalId":360263,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Administration and Governance","volume":"53 22","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139451820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Student Experiential E-Learning in Higher Learning Institutions","authors":"Norliza Ghazali, Ahmad Fauzi Mohd Ayub, Maizura Yasin, Marzni Mohamed Mokhtar, Farah Damia Nasir, Fadzilah Abd Rahman","doi":"10.5296/jpag.v13i4.21600","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5296/jpag.v13i4.21600","url":null,"abstract":"The main objectives of this research are to develop the items of students’ experiential e-learning scale, to verify and construct validate the psychometric properties of students’ experiential e-learning measurement model. The study also aimed to investigate the experiential e-learning of students in higher learning institutions in Malaysia. This research is quantitative in nature employing the cross-sectional survey design. The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing will be adapted in the development of the instrument. Content validity ratio (CVR) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) will be used to analyze the corresponding items of experiential e-learning constructs. The psychometric properties of experiential e-learning measurement model will be empirically tested via Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). This will be accompanied by a descriptive study to explore the students’ experiential e-learning. Exploration of students’ experiential e-learning in higher learning institutions can provide further insights into what works in an open online environment. This research will produce an adequate measurement model and a psychometrically sound instrument of students’ experiential e-learning as well as the publications and intellectual properties (IP).","PeriodicalId":360263,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Administration and Governance","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139451617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}