International Journal of Public Sector Management

Sibylle Heilbrunn; Nonna Kushnirovich

2008 International Journal of Public Sector Management

doi: 10.1108/09513550810904514

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine governmental support to immigrant entrepreneurs and its impact on their businesses. The study seeks to explore the needs of immigrant entrepreneurs as to government support schemes, and the impact of government policy upon mobilization of resources and growth of immigrant businesses. Design/methodology/approach – Combining convenient and snowball sample, 218 former Soviet Union immigrant entrepreneurs from all over Israel and all business spheres were surveyed via a questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted by quantitative statistical methods. Findings – Entrepreneurs who encountered more problems at business start‐up are more likely to receive government support. Receiving support facilitates mobilizing resources and compensates for fewer opportunities of initially weak businesses. Research limitations/implications – Further research might focus upon comparing the impact of policy on immigrant entrepreneurs between countries. Utilization of the findings by policy makers may improve the impact of policy and help to focus the allocation of resources more efficiently. Originality/value – The paper provides valuable insight for academics and practitioners who are interested to foster immigrant entrepreneurship as mechanism of economic integration.

Dorit Tubin; Miri Levin‐Rozalis

2008 International Journal of Public Sector Management

doi: 10.1108/09513550810904523

Purpose – Interorganizational cooperation (IOC) is like harnessing a swan, a crab, and a pike to a single wagon and still expecting it to go. One issue that appears significant under such conditions is building trust and inscribing it into the structure of IOC. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships between trust and IOC structure. Design/methodology/approach – Trust‐structure relationships are studied by drawing upon a case study of complex and effective IOC in The Early Childhood Center in Israel. Findings – The analysis reveals several structural factors that support the building and maintenance of trust: choice of contribution, involvement in decision making, committee configuration, IOC culture, the director's role, and the representatives' high‐ranking positions and professional background. Research limitations/implications – Three conditions help to inscribe trust into IOC structure: Low risk and minor expectations from the IOC, a leader willing to share information throughout the IOC structure, and high positions and professional representatives. Originality/value – The study contributes to IOC literature by highlighting the fact that trust between organizations cannot depend on the goodwill of particular people, but must have an organizational structure to enable and support it.

Ailsa Kolsaker; Liz Lee‐Kelley

2008 International Journal of Public Sector Management

doi: 10.1108/09513550810904532

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to further understanding of citizens' attitudes towards electronic government (e‐government) and e‐governance. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative study was conducted of 3,000 citizens of a relatively prosperous town in South‐East England. A 10 per cent response rate provided 302 completed questionnaires; 216 users of e‐government portals and 86 non‐users. Findings – Findings indicate that whilst interest in e‐government is generally low overall, users appreciate personalisation, user‐friendliness and the ability to communicate. Users and non‐users perceive moderate value in e‐government for knowledge acquisition and communication, but little as a vehicle of democratic engagement. Those using e‐government frequently are more positive than other groups. Research limitations/implications – The relatively low‐response rate (though not unusual for quantitative methods) suggests a general lack of interest; however users of e‐government are appreciative of a few, key benefits. In relation to enhancing participation, the findings suggest that Government ambitions far outstrip those of its citizens. To improve usage, the authors propose that non‐users need to be tempted online in a secure environment, that users should be provided with personalised pages in line with their expectations, that elected members should be encouraged to view with web as a means of reaching out to voters and that citizens should be educated in exploiting the potentially valuable online tools to enhance participation. The study is limited by the exclusive use of quantitative methods; the outcomes suggest that further, qualitative, research could be valuable in exploring user needs, motivations, competence, and level of political engagement. Originality/value – The paper adds insight into citizens' attitudes towards e‐government and e‐governance.

Habib Zafarullah; Redwanur Rahman

2008 International Journal of Public Sector Management

doi: 10.1108/09513550810904541

Purpose – This paper aims to assess state capacity in Bangladesh and to analyse the reasons for the apparent failure of public agencies in creating the conditions for and in enhancing sound governance in the country. Conflicts between political parties and the government's lack of clear policy goals have led to a political situation, which is fragile and largely dysfunctional. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the main conceptual literature on governance and state capacity and assesses the status of state institutions in Bangladesh – how they fare, the way they operate and their implications for governance. Findings – The paper points to the failure of the state machinery in formulating and implementing sound policies. Successive governments have politicised the administrative system and compounded the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the government. Corruption, nepotism, and clientalism have produced flaws and shortcomings at both political and administrative level. Political instability in government and poor governance has produced a state that is weak and fragmented. Research limitations/implications – It is mainly focused on one country and is a general overview of key developments, trends and flaws in the functioning of the state. Practical implications – It is relevant for understanding the general trends and dynamics of state capacity building within a broad framework of governance in a developing country. The findings may be useful for policy makers in reform initiatives. Originality/value – It provides an assessment of the practical problems of political and administrative management in an unstable political environment.

Peter E.D. Love; Peter R. Davis; David J. Edwards; David Baccarini

2008 International Journal of Public Sector Management

doi: 10.1108/09513550810904550

Purpose – Choosing the appropriate procurement system for construction projects is a complex and challenging task for clients particularly when professional advice has not been sought. To assist with the decision‐making process, a range of procurement selection tools and techniques have been developed by both academic and industry bodies. Public sector clients in Western Australia (WA) remain uncertain about the pairing of procurement method to bespoke construction project and how this decision will ultimately impact upon project success. This paper seeks to examine “how and why” a public sector agency selected particular procurement methods. Design/methodology/approach – An analysis of two focus group workshops (with 18 senior project and policy managers involved with procurement selection) is reported upon. Findings – The traditional lump sum (TLS) method is still the preferred procurement path even though alternative forms such as design and construct, public‐private‐partnerships could optimize the project outcome. Paradoxically, workshop participants agreed that alternative procurement forms should be considered, but an embedded culture of uncertainty avoidance invariably meant that TLS methods were selected. Senior managers felt that only a limited number of contractors have the resources and experience to deliver projects using the non‐traditional methods considered. Practical implications – The research identifies a need to develop a framework that public sector clients can use to select an appropriate procurement method. Learning from previous experiences with regard to procurement selection will further provide public sector clients with knowledge about how to best deliver their projects. Originality/value – The paper adds insight as to how public sector agencies select particular procurement methods.

William De Maria

2008 International Journal of Public Sector Management

doi: 10.1108/09513550810904569

Purpose – The paper aims to examine how the measurement of African “corruption” has been manipulated to serve western economic interests. Design/methodology/approach – In depth secondary source analysis within a post‐colonial framework. Findings – The most popular measure of corruption, Transparency International's corruption perception index (CPI), is a flawed instrument. Capable only of calculating proxies of corruption, the measure is oblivious to cultural variance and is business‐centric in style. The CPI is embraced in good faith by African governments and donor organisations oblivious to its deeper purpose of serving western economic and geo‐political interests under the guise of weeding out something falsely portrayed as a universal negative. Practical implications – The paper will assist efforts to ground the anti‐corruption effort in the realities of Africa. Originality/value – The paper is part of a minority scholarship that seeks to provide space for the consideration of alternatives to the dominant conceptions of corruption and its measurement.

Alaa‐Aldin Abdul Rahim A. Al Athmay

2008 International Journal of Public Sector Management

doi: 10.1108/09513550810904578

Purpose – The paper seeks to explore the argument for performance auditing and its place in financial management in the Brunei public sector. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on the literature on financial management, the author's own experience teaching public sector financial management in Brunei, and interviews with audit staff in Brunei. Findings – Although performance auditing is envisaged in the legislation, the main thrust of auditing is still on financial and procedural compliance; the paper discusses why this is so and in what circumstances it might change. Practical implications – Examining the experience of performance auditing in Brunei case shows the nature of the contextual factors which underlie the performance‐oriented approach which is assumed in the new public management, and the implications for its application outside the western liberal democratic world. Originality/value – The value of the paper lies in clearly delineating the nature of the change which the implementation of performance auditing would mean in Brunei public sector and the implications for non‐western countries, particularly oil economies.