Podcast
Questions and Answers
What primarily drives organizational investment in new skills and knowledge according to the characteristics of institutional change?
What primarily drives organizational investment in new skills and knowledge according to the characteristics of institutional change?
Which of these is NOT one of the three organizational processes that support dynamic capabilities?
Which of these is NOT one of the three organizational processes that support dynamic capabilities?
According to Douglass North, how does the institutional framework influence organizations?
According to Douglass North, how does the institutional framework influence organizations?
What was the term used to refer to 'capacity building' before the 1990s?
What was the term used to refer to 'capacity building' before the 1990s?
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Which characteristic emphasizes the importance of perception in institutional change?
Which characteristic emphasizes the importance of perception in institutional change?
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What concept describes the overwhelmingly incremental and path-dependent nature of institutional change?
What concept describes the overwhelmingly incremental and path-dependent nature of institutional change?
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Which of these statements best describes capacity building?
Which of these statements best describes capacity building?
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How does competition affect institutional evolution according to North's characteristics?
How does competition affect institutional evolution according to North's characteristics?
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What is a key factor in the learning process according to dynamic capabilities?
What is a key factor in the learning process according to dynamic capabilities?
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What is the primary focus of anticorruption strategies when corruption is rated high and governance quality is poor?
What is the primary focus of anticorruption strategies when corruption is rated high and governance quality is poor?
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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a component of the anticorruption strategies for societies with medium corruption levels?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a component of the anticorruption strategies for societies with medium corruption levels?
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Which successful approach is noted for enhancing service delivery in the public sector of Malaysia during the early 1990s?
Which successful approach is noted for enhancing service delivery in the public sector of Malaysia during the early 1990s?
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Which factor is identified as a significant determinant of corruption in the public sector?
Which factor is identified as a significant determinant of corruption in the public sector?
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Which of the following countries is highlighted as having had success with an anti-corruption agency?
Which of the following countries is highlighted as having had success with an anti-corruption agency?
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What characterizes grand corruption?
What characterizes grand corruption?
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What defines state capture?
What defines state capture?
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Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to public sector corruption?
Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to public sector corruption?
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Which of the following is an outcome of corruption being driven by patronage and clientelism?
Which of the following is an outcome of corruption being driven by patronage and clientelism?
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In Principal-Agent Models, what role does the principal typically assume?
In Principal-Agent Models, what role does the principal typically assume?
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Which approach is likely to fail in combating corruption when applied uniformly across different contexts?
Which approach is likely to fail in combating corruption when applied uniformly across different contexts?
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What is a common misconception about public sector corruption?
What is a common misconception about public sector corruption?
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Which of the following best describes influence peddling?
Which of the following best describes influence peddling?
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Which theoretical perspective emphasizes the government's role in motivating officials toward integrity?
Which theoretical perspective emphasizes the government's role in motivating officials toward integrity?
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What role does transparency play in combating corruption?
What role does transparency play in combating corruption?
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What typically results from the blurred line between public and private interests in corrupt societies?
What typically results from the blurred line between public and private interests in corrupt societies?
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Which of the following is a common symbol of the breakdown of the rule of law in highly corrupt countries?
Which of the following is a common symbol of the breakdown of the rule of law in highly corrupt countries?
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What is a key factor that contributes to the persistence of public sector corruption?
What is a key factor that contributes to the persistence of public sector corruption?
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Which institutions typically help control abuses of power in societies with low public sector corruption?
Which institutions typically help control abuses of power in societies with low public sector corruption?
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What characterizes the enforcement of law in scenarios where public sector corruption is rampant?
What characterizes the enforcement of law in scenarios where public sector corruption is rampant?
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What is one of the macro-fiscal costs associated with public sector corruption?
What is one of the macro-fiscal costs associated with public sector corruption?
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Which of the following best describes the judiciary in highly corrupt countries?
Which of the following best describes the judiciary in highly corrupt countries?
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How do weak institutions of participation and accountability affect a corrupt society?
How do weak institutions of participation and accountability affect a corrupt society?
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What may be a consequence of public officials facing minimal accountability?
What may be a consequence of public officials facing minimal accountability?
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Which factor is least likely to contribute to public sector corruption in a society?
Which factor is least likely to contribute to public sector corruption in a society?
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What is a key characteristic of institutions in society?
What is a key characteristic of institutions in society?
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Which of the following best describes the dual nature of institutions?
Which of the following best describes the dual nature of institutions?
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According to Douglass North, what do institutions provide in terms of societal behavior?
According to Douglass North, what do institutions provide in terms of societal behavior?
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What role do institutions play in shaping individual identity according to the content?
What role do institutions play in shaping individual identity according to the content?
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How does the concept of institutions relate to economic transactions?
How does the concept of institutions relate to economic transactions?
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What is one of the two types of game rules identified by Douglass North?
What is one of the two types of game rules identified by Douglass North?
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What is meant by institutions being described as 'self-sustaining'?
What is meant by institutions being described as 'self-sustaining'?
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Study Notes
Governance, Institutions and Public Sector Reform (GaDS 3035)
- This course covers governance, institutions and public sector reform, specifically focusing on the concepts, definitions, types and dynamic governance.
Chapter One: Institutions – An Introduction
- Institutions are structures and mechanisms of social order and cooperation governing the behavior of individuals within a human collectivity.
- Institutions are identified with social purpose and permanence.
- The term "institution" is commonly applied to customs, behavior patterns, and formal organizations of government and public service.
- Institutions are a core topic of study in sociology, political science, and economics.
- Institutions are defined by the social rules and legal framework governing activities in society, and by organizations coordinating and enforcing these rules.
- Institutions shape individual identity and behavior, making certain behaviors possible or impossible.
- Institutions assign responsibility, demand accountability, and provide the standards for judging success.
- Institutions are the rules of the game in a society, or the constraints imposed by humans.
- Institutions are the incentive structures of a society (Douglass C. North, 1993).
- Formal rules include constitutional/property rights rules, and contracts; informal rules include norms and customs.
- Institutions incentivize people and organizations to invest their knowledge and assets to address societal problems.
1.2 Types of Institutions
- Institutions are manifest in objectively real, formal organizations (e.g., US Congress, Roman Catholic Church).
- They are also in informal social order and organization, reflecting human psychology, culture, habits and customs.
- Institutions can be categorized as social, economic, or political.
- A social organization, or social institution, is a group of social positions linked by social relations performing a social role. (e.g., education, government, families, economic systems and any social interactions).
- These institutions are interconnected.
1.3 Dynamic Institutions and Governance
- In an uncertain and changing world, current achievements are not guaranteed for future success.
- Static efficiency and governance practices can eventually lead to stagnation and decay.
- No amount of careful planning assures continuous relevance & effectiveness in a volatile global environment.
- Governments are often not regarded as dynamic, entrepreneurial organizations and instead appear as slow/stodgy bureaucracies.
- Dynamic institutions enhance country development and prosperity by adjusting to socio-economic changes.
1.3.1 The Need for Dynamic Government
- Government institutions significantly impact a country's economic competitiveness/social development.
- Governments shape the interaction between society and business, potentially facilitating or impeding development.
- Governments influence business environments and are important for attracting foreign investment.
1. Thinking Ahead
- Exploring future trends/developments impacting policies is crucial.
- Perceiving how these developments affect current goals and strategies.
- Strategizing options for addressing emerging threats and exploiting opportunities.
- Influencing decision-makers and stakeholders on emerging issues.
2. Thinking Again
- Confronting current realities regarding strategies, policies, and programs to achieve better outcomes.
- Considering the present situation in an inside-out perspective.
- Utilizing data, measurements, and feedback to surface problems and look beyond the past to improve policies/programs. - Even with expertise, political will and resources may be lacking.
3. Thinking Across
- Learning from the experiences of others to adapt good ideas and customize them to the local context.
- Adapting rules and practices that have worked elsewhere while taking into account cultural/historical needs.
- Introducing new ideas/innovation to society to better meet the challenges of today.
1.3.2 Governance, Institutions and Capabilities
- Governance encompasses the processes/systems through which a society makes policy decisions and accomplishes objectives.
- Government refers to structures and functions of public institutions.
- Governance is the way a government runs.
- The World Bank defines governance as the traditions/institutions by which authority in a country is exercised.
- Process by which governments are selected, monitored and replaced.
- Capacity of government to effectively formulate and implement sound policies.
- Respect of citizens by the government.
- Six dimensions include Voice/accountability, political stability, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption.
2.1 Concepts and Definitions: Corruption
- Corruption is defined as the misuse of public power for private benefit, abuse of public office for private gains, or the exercise of official powers against public interest.
- Public power is exercised by elected officials and appointed bureaucrats.
- Types include bribery, embezzlement, fraud, extortion, abuse of power, conflict of interest, insider trading, and favoritism.
- Corruption is as old as government itself, concerns and issues mount in tandem with development, it slows GDP, affects public services and reduces effectiveness of development assistance.
2.3 Forms of Corruption
- Corruption is not limited to a single form.
- Petty corruption involves isolated transactions by individual officials (bribes, kickbacks, favors).
- Grand corruption includes vast amounts of public resource theft or misuse by high officials.
3. New Public Management (NPM)
- Focuses on the centrality of citizens/customers and accountability for results.
- Borrows management approaches from private sector (e.g., competition).
- Emphasizes efficiency through private sector-style management.
- Public sector responsibilities are often restructured to improve efficiency/customer satisfaction.
3.4 Organizational Mechanisms for PSR
- Inter-organizational mechanisms (such as decentralization, contracting out, and partnerships with civil society) are needed to improve public service delivery.
5. Challenges of Public Sector Management Reforms
- Africa's economic recovery/development struggles are partly because of significant weaknesses in public sector institutions.
- These institutions often suffer from problems like corruption, nepotism, inefficiency, poor coordination, weak/non-existent salary policies and political interference.
6. Strategies for Improving Public Sector Performance
- Strategies for improving public sector performance involve total quality management,performance-oriented civil service, customer-oriented government and quality standards.
5.4 Access to ICTs
- Access to ICTs is a significant barrier in many African countries preventing efficient service delivery.
- This can be addressed by creating a more efficient telecommunication infrastructure and developing related skills.
6.3 Training and Human Resource Capacity Building
- Training/development is key to reshaping attitudes/behaviors of public officials and developing the capacity of public servants, improving services and increasing efficiency.
- Such training should emphasize attitude changes along with acquiring needed skills.
5.2 Multiple Accountability
- Public servants should be accountable to multiple actors including citizens, the government, and the judicial system.
5.3 Declining Public Service Ethics
- Traditional public service values, such as equity, probity and integrity, help maintain trust in the public service/government.
- Strengthening personal values (integrity, honesty) can help improve the public service.
Declining Social Values
- A societal lack of traditional ethics such as integrity/honesty hinders the effectiveness of public service reform efforts.
- This weakens the systems meant to ensure accountability.
Declining Civil Service Morale
- Low morale in the civil service is related to low pay, inappropriate performance measures/inconsistent management practices and inappropriate working conditions
- Improving morale will likely improve the efficiency of the service.
Corruption
- Corruption undermines the effectiveness of public services in Africa and increases income inequalities and poverty.
- It reduces the effectiveness of development aid and increases income inequality.
- Corruption in the public service is typically “behind the screen”, rendering it often undetected.
Requirements for Better Human Resource Capacity Building
- Effective human resource development requires adequate budgetary allocations and funding for training and educational institutions.
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