Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons^™

Examining Policy Innovation Process And The Roles Of Policy Entrepreneurs: A Case Of Smart City Initiative In Khon Kaen, Thailand, Thitisak Duadsuntia

Dissertations and Theses

Innovation is a necessary process for public sector organizations and governments to adapt to social and economic changes. Innovation helps governments improve public service performance and address wicked challenges. Although the significance of public sector innovation has long been realized, how it occurs, and how it is influenced by contextual factors is not well explored. Particularly, policy innovation that emerges in an open and dynamic social system is understudied. Policy entrepreneurs mobilize policy change in their social systems, but their roles in a public sector innovation process still needs further investigation.

This study explores the policy innovation process and explicates …

Exploring Policies & Practices For The Private Sector To Advance Women’S Economic Empowerment And Prevent Gender Based Violence In Post-Conflict Countries, Amina Helal

Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to investigate the role of the private sector in advancing women’s economic empowerment and gender-based violence prevention with a focus on post-conflict countries. It explores challenges facing them, and opportunities to be seized by governments and other stakeholders in this regard. The study also sheds light on the gap in the private sector’s awareness and commitment to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to implement the UN Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in post-conflict countries. It explores the different possible engagements of the private sector in response to the research question. The thesis also …

What The World Has Learned About Their Governments During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Olga Shvetsova

Political Science Faculty Scholarship

As we take stock of all aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic history, one important lesson to be learned concerns government behavior. While defense by immunity was in the works in vaccine research labs, defense by government action took the front seat, and political incumbents in every country and locale became "doctors to the public.” Did some governments perform better than others? Were there any predictable or explainable shortcomings in their crisis responses? Will governments and countries that underperformed in this crisis fall short in other crises where responsible leadership might be required? The contributors to this volume compare and contrast …

Commonalities And Differences In Governments’ Covid-19 Public Health Responses Around The World, Olga Shvetsova, Andrei Zhirnov

Political Science Faculty Scholarship

As the world enters the era of increased frequency of global health crises and natural disasters, with climate change looming as an ever-present threat, how we govern ourselves matters for the ways in which we will live through these difficult times. The authors in this volume provide observations backed by mixed methods of analysis on the many ways in which government organization and political realities affect crisis response and crisis management. In this chapter, we further strengthen the validity of their findings with large N global sample analyses where the timing and stringency of the adoption of public health policies …

The Impact Of Prior Pandemic Planning On Health Outcomes During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Study Of Local Government Pandemic Planning In The United States, Karissa D. Bergene

Theses and Dissertations

In late 2019, scientists discovered a novel strain of coronavirus originating out of Wuhan, China. By January 2020, the United States (U.S.) saw its first positive case of coronavirus and the public was still unsure how serious of an epidemic this would be. By the time the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic a “global pandemic” on March 11, 2020, world leaders, public health experts, scientists, and public administrators kicked into high gear to start serious pandemic response efforts. The public sector is typically the responsible authority for the preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery of such …

Stronger Regulations On Air Pollution Could Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Rates, Yue Sun

Center for Policy Research

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, but there are large disparities in CVD death rates across the country. Air pollution also plays an important role in shaping geographic disparities in CVD mortality, as air pollutants can become absorbed in human circulation systems, and cause inflammation, damage nervous systems, and trigger poor CVD outcomes. This brief reports the results of a study that used data on air pollution and from death certificates to estimate the association between fine particulate matter and cardiovascular disease mortality rates in the U.S. in 2016-2018. Results show that cutting …

The Spectrum Of Federal Funding's Impact: A Texas-Vermont Case Study, Nicholas Lupone

Washington Semester Program

This multivariable analysis of the Economic Development Administration’s allocation decisions examines the EDA’s post-pandemic impact through cross-state funding discrepancies. This research uses a comparative case study design focusing on two states, Texas and Vermont, that have different economic characteristics and receive varying levels of EDA funding. The key variables analyzed include the amount and programmatic category of EDA funding received, and the relationship between funding and broad economic indicators, such as employment statistics, economic output, and industry growth. Additional variables will be impact-based and include private leveraged funding, jobs created or retained, and industrial base pre- and post-funding. The study …

The Benefits And Challenges To Cycle-Based Adoption Of The International Code Council’S Model Building And Energy Conservation Codes, Hailey M. Mattingly

Commonwealth Policy Papers

This green paper, written in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and applicable to any jurisdictions in the U.S. and abroad, provides policy guidance to state and local authorities that wish to bring their building and energy conservation codes to more current technological and methodological standards. Specifically, this green paper presents the case for cycle-based adoption of model building and energy conservation codes published every three years by the International Code Council (ICC). In doing so, the paper also discusses the numerous benefits and challenges to implementing such a policy.

Charter School Funding: Did Initial Pandemic Relief Advance Equity In The City?, Alison H. Johnson, Josh B. Mcgee, Patrick Wolf, Jay F. May, Larry D. Maloney

School Choice Demonstration Project

In early 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic closed schools for the rest of the 2019-20 school year (fiscal year 2020 or FY20). The United States Congress deployed funds to help K-12 schools adjust and plan for reopening via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including the initial $13.2 billion installment through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER I) and initial $2.95 billion installment through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER I) Fund. Private sector and non-profit organizations, including charter schools, were also eligible for loans through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), …

Exploring Local Elected Officials' Capacity To Govern Effectively, Mario King

Dissertations

A successful local government exemplifies inclusivity, innovation, and deliberate decision-making, all advancing responsible management of taxpayers' resources. In this qualitative investigation, a phenomenological approach is employed to delve into the lived experiences of local elected officials. The aim of this study was to gain insights into the capacity of these local elected officials for success in governance. Subsequently, the insights from these local elected officials' experiences are harnessed to evaluate their influence and impact on municipal performance.

The management of municipal performance encompasses the provision of social services, the maintenance of fiscal operations, and adherence to statutory obligations (Avellaneda, 2008). …

What Is The Potential Of Non-Battery Energy Storage To Increase Grid Resilience?, Andrew Withers

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This paper seeks to evaluate different technologies in energy storage to determine which ones have the most potential to benefit the energy grid. Technologies like pumped hydro, thermal, gravity, hydrogen, and compressed air storage will be evaluated based on overall costs, marginal costs, unique applications, and efficiency. This paper compares the technologies to batteries on the previous criteria. I also provide a discussion on the policy and economic barriers to the further use of non-battery technologies to support grid reliability during the transition to a cleaner grid that is more reliant on variable renewable generators.

The Perpetuation Of Hiv Risk In Latinx Immigrations: A Cross-National Perspective, J. M. Aleman

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Research indicates that migration is a social determinant of health that increases the risk of acquiring HIV. What is less understood, however, are the pathways through which immigration influences HIV risk. This study employed a cross-national perspective and utilized a social determinants of health framework to understand how structural factors, such as economic conditions and immigration policies and their enforcement, influence HIV risk among migrants. While mobility, migration and displacement are associated with increased HIV risk, they are not inherently the cause but rather a condition under which vulnerability is increased indicating that other distal, upstream, or structural forces are …

Greening The Cement Industry In Egypt: Exploring Decarbonisation Policies For The Cement Industry, Saleh Elghamrawi

Theses and Dissertations

The cement industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 7% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Cement is the most consumed material on earth, second only to water, and its demand is fueled by continuous urbanization and the lack of alternative materials. In Egypt, the cement sector is responsible for 14% of CO2 emissions, emitting over 800 kilograms of CO2 per ton of cement, surpassing the global average of 600. In 2016, Egypt ratified the Paris agreement to address climate change and has committed in its National Determined Contributions (NDC) to reduce CO2 emissions. However, …

Power Projection And Counter-Terrorism: Strategies For Small States Like Brunei Darussalam, Brice Tseen Fu Lee, Gulshan Bibi Ms

Journal of Terrorism Studies

This study delves into the intricacies of power projection strategies and counter-terrorism measures, emphasizing their relevance to small states, with a specific focus on Brunei Darussalam. Using a dual matrix model, the research categorizes various strategies based on risk-reward parameters, offering a structured insight into potential approaches these states can employ against potential aggressors. The counter-terrorism matrix is the initial focal point, recognizing the contemporary significance of terror threats and their unique challenges for small nations. Subsequently, the power projection matrix offers a broader view of defense tactics beyond counter-terrorism. By synthesizing information from primary academic sources, the study aims …

Social Media And Mental Health: The Public Health Impact And Future Policy Directives, Renae A. Merrill

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between social media use among young people and the increasing concerns of mental health problems in the U.S. and globally is on systemic agendas. Furthermore, research on social media use and mental health indicate reasons to suspect a causal relationship, but more work needs to be done. Therefore, this three-article dissertation seeks to explore (1) associations between social media use, personality, and depression; (2) associations between social media emotional support, anxiety, and personality; and (3) the relationship between social media use and mental health using Deborah Stone’s causal stories framework. Findings from this study provide an improved understanding …

"Takings" And "Givings" In Singapore: Land Law And Policy In The Search For Justice, Rachel Phang

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

In the United States and globally, cities are increasingly plagued by deepening housing crisis and widening economic inequality. In the face of these crises, this Article focuses on the potentially powerful role for land law and policy in the search for justice. Specifically, it does so by reference to two unusual yet illuminating choices of theory and application: the case study of Singapore, and the school of thought of Georgism, both of which accord inordinate and paramount importance to land. Singapore’s land law and policy have been characterized by extensive takings and givings of land. In consequence, the State owns …

A Policy Evaluation For California’S Care Act And The Application Of The Social Determinants Of Health, Adelina Mercedes Lang

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

In 2022, California passed a legislative bill, SB 1338: the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, which created a new statewide procedure for treating mentally ill homeless adults diagnosed with psychotic disorders through a court-ordered CARE plan. SB 1338 intends to alleviate the mental health and homeless crisis. This capstone project provides an early assessment of SB 1338 using a modified formative policy evaluation methodology, including a scoping literature review and applying a policy assessment using the CDC's Policy Evaluation Framework. A stakeholder survey was also applied to gather stakeholders' perspectives on SB 1338. The literature review supported the …

The Landscape Of Community-Based Giving Days In The United States, Abhishek Bhati, Andrew Burk

The Foundation Review

Within the last decade there has been an exponential growth of community foundation- led giving days, credited in general to the ease afforded by online giving, the social media presence of nonprofits, and the sense of community these events widely impart. However, current academic literature on these events remains sparse. This article addresses this gap with a longitudinal examination of the growth of community foundation-led giving days from 2009 to 2022.

The study found only two giving days led by community foundations in 2009, peaking at 78 in 2020, and plateauing to 71 giving days in 2022. In 2020, the …

Executive Summaries

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.

Leading With Shared Values: Developing A Charter Of Principles For Philanthropic Partnerships, Cheryl A. Maurana, John R. Raymond, Christopher Stawski, Joseph E. Kerschner, James C. Rahn

The Foundation Review

The rise of greater individuality in giving — in diversity of beliefs and donor preferences — has resulted in a need to ensure alignment of values and expectations between those entering into funding relationships, and therefore a need to return to giving that recognizes the importance of conditions and considerations that undergird the partnership between the philanthropic organization and awardee.

The Kern Family Foundation’s nearly $88 million investment in the Medical College of Wisconsin represents one example where creating a charter was pivotal to a partnership’s effectiveness. Their charter describes a commitment to shared values, including character, caring, and practical …

Place-Based Philanthropy With An Adaptive Lens: Actively Balancing Community-Driven And Foundation-Driven Orientations, Douglas Easterling, Tanya Beer, Kristen Burwell Naney, Mina Silberberg, Laura Gerald, Adam Linker

The Foundation Review

With place-based philanthropy, a foundation provides extensive, long-term support for a comprehensive mix of programs within specific communities, with the expectation that this will produce benefits at a communitywide level. One of the key questions in designing a place-based initiative is how much the foundation will control local decision-making.

In some initiatives, the foundation dictates the issues that community groups must address and/or the nature of the planning process that will be used to develop solutions. This sometimes produces ineffective or irrelevant solutions. In contrast, other initiatives allow local groups considerable discretion in naming the issues and choosing the solutions, …

Front Matter

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.

Coopen: An Open Innovation Process Triggering Collaboration Between Ngos And Innovators In Africa — The Case Of Fondazione Cariplo And Fondazione Compagnia Di San Paolo, Fulvio Bersanetti, Alessandro Masciadri, Ilaria Caramia, Cristina Toscano

The Foundation Review

This article explores how the two main Italian foundations of banking origin, Fondazione Cariplo and Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, are internationally contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals agenda through Coopen, a cross-fertilization process between nonprofit organizations and the innovation ecosystem.

Guided by the United Nations 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals, which identify innovation as a focal point in SDG 9, the foundations recognize the value that product, process, and methodological innovation can bring to Italy’s international development cooperation sector and its partnerships.

Coopen encourages the development and implementation of innovative solutions in Africa to respond to specific …

Risks In Grantmaking: A Study Of Australian Foundations, Daniel Archibald, Reza Tajaddini, Mary Dunkley

The Foundation Review

In the pursuit of more effective giving, the nonprofit sector has been increasingly advocating for foundations to take on more risk in their grantmaking. This article investigates the risk experience in the charitable funding process and the approaches taken to mitigate unwanted risks. Failure to adequately manage such risks can negatively influence the legacy of a foundation and the effectiveness of the programs and projects it funds.

Particularly, this article contributes to the improvement of managing the risks that arise in the grantmaking process by identifying those key risks faced by different types of foundations, thus helping to prioritize the …

Philanthropy’S Uneasy Journey Into Mental Health Grantmaking, Mallet R. Reid, Robert J. (Bob) Reid, Ximena Murillo, Anna Bobb

The Foundation Review

The increasing prevalence of mental illness and addiction in the United States has drawn considerable attention from grantmakers, which could catalyze the development and delivery of innovative approaches to these complex and difficult-to-treat behavioral health disorders. Relatively little is known, however, of the perspectives of these funders on how best to undertake this work.

To assist foundations in meaningful engagement with the field of behavioral health, this article shares the responses of 17 highly experienced behavioral health grantmakers to two research questions: What are the experiences of foundations that have funded behavioral health initiatives? What issues should be considered by …

Why Foundations? The Theory And Strategy Of The General-Purpose Foundation, Samsher (Sam) Singh Gill

The Foundation Review

As foundations increasingly grapple with the penetration of socioeconomic dissension into every facet of our country’s public culture, it has become difficult to evade the moral salience of whether philanthropic wealth aggregation and allocation reflect or even entrench the structures of material accumulation many now see at the root of declining support for liberalism across advanced economies.

This essay argues that contrary to growing internal and external anxieties about the role and legitimacy of general-purpose foundations in the United States, there is a sound theoretical expression of them as an essential institution in a liberal democracy. The core principle of …

Editorial, Teresa R. Behrens

The Foundation Review

No abstract provided.

A Framework For Creating Systems Change, William Brown, Wynn Rosser

The Foundation Review

This article draws on a system-change framework developed by the Nicholson Foundation as part of a 20-year initiative to substantively change the state of New Jersey’s health and social welfare systems, and modifies and expands a single case study on system change to align with related ideas and concepts. A results-based accountability approach is integrated into the model to draw attention to the importance of monitoring and evaluation of population-based outcomes.

Drawing on extensive literature from systems change and performance management, the discussion provides insight and perspective on contemporary frameworks in systems change and the role of grantmaking foundations. The …

Reconciling Philanthropy’S Role In Disruption And Revolution: Hard Lessons From A Community-Driven Power-Building Strategy To Achieve Health Equity, Kien S. Lee, Courtney Ricci, Mia Ramirez

The Foundation Review

This article shares The Colorado Trust’s experience with Community Partnerships for Health Equity (CPHE) after initiating a resident-led strategy for systems change and encountering the myriad challenges to its implementation that ultimately led to exiting the initiative.

The CPHE strategy intended to fund community members directly instead of working through the nonprofit sector in the state, and thereby shift power from nonprofit organizations to residents. It eventually involved more than 20 communities across Colorado and created change in certain communities — from filling service gaps and creating local partnerships to shifting local systems.

The Trust had good intentions in its …

Impact Management Discipline: The Key To Effective Impact Investing And Grantmaking, Sarah Gelfand, Carli Roth, Mya Stanislas, Alexandra Zoueva

The Foundation Review

Foundations have a long history of putting impact at the center of their decision-making when allocating resources for grantmaking. Effective grantmaking follows clear processes that have similarities to the best practices employed by the impact investing community for effectively deploying and managing an impact investing portfolio. This is exemplified by the Operating Principles for Impact Management, a leading market standard for how to integrate impact considerations throughout the investment life cycle.

As a growing number of foundations embrace impact investing, understanding and comparing the impact management approach for grants (where it is enabled through monitoring, evaluation, and learning) versus that …