Study on the Impacts of Emergency on Economic, Environmental and Social Areas Using Mixed Methods Research

Mixed methods research methodology appears to be a suitable approach for researching complex phenomena such as emergencies. Researchers study the impacts on different areas such as economy, society, or environment, mostly in separate studies. To better understand the reality of emergencies, it is necessary to study the problem in the broadest possible context. So, examining those impacts in one single study is a challenge. The objective of this article is to process a comprehensive assessment of an emergency that has the potential to establish the basis of a robust tool for public managers to support their decision-making, using mixed methods research methodology. The crisis is an explosion of an ammunition storage site in the Czech Republic - the former satellite country of the Soviet Union. The sub-methods used in mixed methods research are analysis of data, interviews, questionnaire surveys, and field research. The main findings include that in the economic area, growth of public budget expenditures was found; in the environmental area, primary and inducted impacts have been proved. Survey also confirms that the emergency reduced the personal sense of security and trust in public institutions in the affected community. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2022-06-01-07 Full Text: PDF

Value generation from open government data in the public sector: Development and validation of a multidimensional scale

The use of open government data by governments can create opportunities and drive the digital transformation of the public sector. However, there is no integrative measure that assesses the factors that enable public organizations to effectively utilize open government data. The objective of this research was to develop and validate an instrument to assess the factors related to value generation from the use of open government data in the public sector. The construction of the scale was a three-step process. First, the items were structured. Next, a pilot study was performed. Lastly, the instrument was validated. The results indicate that the measure of value generation from the use of open government data is a multidimensional construct, which presents promising implications for future research. This study contributes by developing an instrument that can serve as an analysis tool that will aid public managers who are interested in utilizing open government data.

A meta-analysis of how the culture and technical development level influence citizens’ adoption of m-government

With the popularity of mobile Internet technology, mobile government has become the mainstream of current government affairs management, which highlights the growing importance of exploring citizens’ intention to adopt m-government. To find the important driving factors of m-government adoption and understand what roles the cultural and technical development level play in it, this study conducted a meta-analysis to search for important factors in m-government adoption from 42 studies from 17 countries. Based on the socio-technical theory, this study applied a meta-regression to explain the differences in the effects of these factors, from the perspective of culture and technical development level. The results show that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, social influence, perceived compatibility and trust all play important roles in m-government adoption. Culture and technical development level play moderating roles on the above relationships except for the perceived ease of use–perceived usefulness path. Our findings also reveal that the joint moderating effect of cultural and technical development level can better explain the impact of environmental factors on m-government adoption and consequently provide suggestions for the future implementation of m-government in different countries with diverse cultures. Points for practitioners This study proposes a research model of m-government adoption. Public managers should focus on citizens’ perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, social influence, perceived compatibility and trust, so as to improve citizens’ intention to use. The results also confirm that culture and technical development level have a specific moderating effect on m-government adoption, which means that public managers should not only consider service quality, but also note environmental factors. They especially should consider the flexible mobile government development strategies in different countries.

Challenges in curriculum development process aimed at revising the capabilities of future public financial managers

Traditionally, civil servants and public officials are highly educated and have strong administrative expertise. Public financial managers have been regarded as ‘guardians of the public purse’, who have solid budgeting, accounting and auditing skills. However, the development of ‘mega-trends’ such as digitalization and e-government affect the future of the public sector by challenging the traditional competencies of public managers. This paper examines an attempt to redefine the capabilities of future public financial managers as part of the curriculum development process at Tampere University, Finland. The study reflects the tensions and institutional pressures between what is traditionally taught and what will be needed in the public sector in the future. Although in our teaching we emphasise the constant changes happening in public administration, we may be failing to provide our students with the broader skills they will need for dealing with the dynamics of change in a complex working environment.

Collection and Disposal of Waste in Small Towns

This work seeks to analyze the profile, volume produced and disposal of solid waste in small towns in the west of Santa Catarina. To operationalize the study data was collected in the municipalities of west region of Santa Catarina. Scripts were applied questionnaires for public managers, presidents of associations of pickers, waste collection points and individual collectors. For analysis of the results was considered in those with less than 25,000 habitants. The results show that: I) The population density explains more than 80% of the budget destined for household solid waste collection and recycling; II) Spent with collection and disposal services is R$ 44.22 per capita; III) Recycling provides a monthly gross income of R$ 2,286.98 for dung; IV) That 61% of municipalities have waste management plan, but the data did not demonstrate the effectiveness thereof;; V) The main difficulty pointed out by prefectures refers awareness of the population. This leads to the conclusion that the integrated solid waste management requires more than public policy. This study contributes to the understanding of the area by reinforcing that the solid waste management should (and can) be treated in an integrated manner, considering all aspects of sustainability.

The impact of public managers' leadership styles on results-based planning practices in Vietnam

<p>Over past decade, there has been increased use of results-based management in Vietnam and other countries, but little empirical research exists on results-based planning (RBP) in the planning functions of public organizations. Some experiences suggest that managerial leadership may be among the determinants of success, affecting whether and how RBP is used. This thesis answers the following question: What is the impact of leadership styles by public managers on the practices of RBP? Using empirical observations of current RBP in Vietnamese public organizations and a multiphase mixed method design, this study finds that transformational, transactional, and autocratic leadership styles are often concurrent among public managers (but in varying intensities), and these ‘combined’ leadership styles have a direct, positive, and strong effect on the use and outcomes of RBP practices. This study also finds that leadership effects on RBP are stronger than other organizational factors examined (RBP-related training, bureaucratic culture, funding). Furthermore, among three components of these combined leadership styles, transformational leadership has the greatest contribution to the higher performance of RBP practices. The findings of this research also show the specific leadership behaviors by public managers that are most associated with the increased RBP. This study contributes to the literature by offering empirical evidence of the role of leadership in deploying reforms such as results-based planning in a context of a developing country. It also provides public organizations with knowledge of leadership styles for implementing such reforms.</p>

The impact of public managers' leadership styles on results-based planning practices in Vietnam

<p>Over past decade, there has been increased use of results-based management in Vietnam and other countries, but little empirical research exists on results-based planning (RBP) in the planning functions of public organizations. Some experiences suggest that managerial leadership may be among the determinants of success, affecting whether and how RBP is used. This thesis answers the following question: What is the impact of leadership styles by public managers on the practices of RBP? Using empirical observations of current RBP in Vietnamese public organizations and a multiphase mixed method design, this study finds that transformational, transactional, and autocratic leadership styles are often concurrent among public managers (but in varying intensities), and these ‘combined’ leadership styles have a direct, positive, and strong effect on the use and outcomes of RBP practices. This study also finds that leadership effects on RBP are stronger than other organizational factors examined (RBP-related training, bureaucratic culture, funding). Furthermore, among three components of these combined leadership styles, transformational leadership has the greatest contribution to the higher performance of RBP practices. The findings of this research also show the specific leadership behaviors by public managers that are most associated with the increased RBP. This study contributes to the literature by offering empirical evidence of the role of leadership in deploying reforms such as results-based planning in a context of a developing country. It also provides public organizations with knowledge of leadership styles for implementing such reforms.</p>

The contribution of state web portals to the transparency of the vaccination process against COVID-19 in Brazil

The article aimed to characterize the contribution of Brazilian state web portals to the transparency of the vaccination process against COVID-19. This research is descriptive, undertaken through a documentary study with a quali-quantitative approach. The purpose of the investigation comprises the web portals of the 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District. The study was guided by the application of the COVID-19 Vaccination Transparency Index (ITVC-19). The study data were obtained in six surveys carried out from the analysis of the portals, using content analysis as the processing technique. The constancy of some states at higher and lower levels (i.e., the extremes) and the evolution of others going from lower to higher levels was observed. Although the vast majority of web portals of Brazilian states contribute to the transparency of the vaccination against COVID-19, there are still states the portal of which, for being at opaque, low, or intermediary levels, seem to exist more due to a dominant technological imperative and less to favor the transparency of government actions. The study has a direct theoretical implication when it enables the development of an index that contributes to analyzing the transparency in the vaccination process against COVID-19. It is assumed that, in the future, the index may also be used for new studies on vaccination campaigns, not just this one restricted to the pandemic context. Consequently, it contributes to bridging the gap in the literature, notably the national literature. The practical contribution is also demonstrated by the provision of a diagnosis that, albeit specific, may be used by public managers interested in advancing vaccination transparency.

Connected Cities in Social Isolation: Impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution facing Pandemic / Cidades Conectadas em Isolamento Social: Impacto da Quarta Revolução Industrial diante da Pandemia

The evolutionary process of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has faced the Coronavirus Pandemic and its challenges in combating the disease. Thus, this article aimed to reflect and indicate how disruptive technological advances allow society to readjust and adapt. In that regard, a revision was carried out which enabled an in-depth analysis of current references on the topic. It was observed that, even in times of social isolation, the community made important publications on the subject. It was also noted the emergence of new knowledge that brings new concepts and points out challenges to be faced and transformations to be carried out. These concepts can be used by public managers, urban planners, engineers and society as a whole to build smart and sustainable future cities.