Public Administration Commons^™

Evaluating Compliance With Nfpa 1710: Grapevine Fire Department, Abigail Azima, William Bader, Michael Hennig, Pero Kerkula, Heather Parker

Public Administration Capstone Reports - Archive

The project for the Grapevine Fire Department (GFD) has been undertaken in order to examine their fire response data in correlation to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Their set standards that they produce are not mandatory; however, they are ideal when measuring the efficiency of an organization, specifically fire departments. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to research and determine the level of compliance the GFD has within these set standards and to address any shortcomings. The people this research will affect includes the members of the GFD, citizens of Grapevine, and various areas the GFD also covers …

The Identification Of Participation Barriers Associated With Employment Testing In The Ontario Constable Selection System, Glenn Hadley

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the Ontario Constable Selection System (OCSS) to assess whether barriers within the process discourage candidates from competing for a career in policing. Interviews with 11 newly sworn police officers and 12 individuals who chose not to participate in the OCSS testing were conducted. The findings reveal that factors related to the perceived validity of the test, financial cost, and perceived fairness discourage potential applicants from competing.

Policy Process In Ontario: An Analysis Of The Process For The Implementation Of A By-Law To Restrict Or Limit The Number Of Cats In A Household In An Urban Municipality, Lois O’Neill

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines the policy process for the implementation of a by-law to restrict or limit the number of cats in a household in Owen Sound. An analysis of the policy process and the identified problem was conducted, in addition to a consideration of the external factors that influence the municipal policymaking process and a survey of other small urban municipalities to determine if they had encountered a similar problem and considered implementing a similar by-law. The findings reveal that the policy process for the implementation of this type of by-law was alike in all municipalities with the outcome depending …

Venture Philanthropy In 2009: Developments In The Field Since "Virtuous Capital", Annika Many

Master in Public Administration Theses

This study will examine the evolution of the field of venture philanthropy since the late 1990s and will provide an updated guide to the types of organizations utilizing venture philanthropy strategies across the United States and internationally. The purpose of this research is to investigate how the field has changed as it has matured, to identify the key players and learnings of organizations across the field, and to develop a framework for the types of organizations that have been the most successful in implementing the venture philanthropy model.

Integrated Citizen Survey Plan For The City Of Southlake, Katie Bailey, Orisa Durggin, Anaiah Johnson, Chris Smith, Amanda Thomas

Public Administration Capstone Reports - Archive

The City of Southlake conducts a Citizen Survey every two years. The purpose of the survey is to measure resident’s satisfaction levels in the community and opinions on city services and policy issues. Since 2005, Southlake began incorporating their strategic plan into the survey to attempt to measure their success with meeting the goals of their strategies. This project was undertaken in an effort to ensure alignment of the survey questions with the strategy map, to analyze survey administration tools and techniques being used, and to provide a report of best practices within the realm of citizen surveys. The data …

Issues, Assets And Opportunities: A Survey Of Service Satisfaction For The Kennedale Fire Department And Municipal Court, Crystal Anderson, Kentesheia Dockery, Stephanie Portugal, Arthur Vasquez

Public Administration Capstone Reports - Archive

The City of Kennedale proposed that the University of Texas at Arlington's School of Urban and Public Affairs investigate customer satisfaction of services offered by the Fire Department and the Municipal Court. The City of Kennedale's mission is aimed at exemplifying excellence. A survey tool was researched, developed and implemented to customers who have received services from the Fire Department and the Municipal Court within the last six months.

Ict Usage In Microfinance Institutions In Uganda, Joseph Kaumba Ssewanyana

The African Journal of Information Systems

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are always often faced with high operating costs to provide financial services to the poor people and Small and Medium Enterprises. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has been found to promote the dual objective of microfinance - sustainability and outreach to the poor people. Using a quantitative survey and descriptive research approach, this paper has established the extent to which ICT has been used in the microfinance institutions in Uganda. Despite the barriers, ICT usage in MFIs has been on the rise; and different applications and technologies have been adopted by some MFIs to control costs, create …

The Obama Administration's Challenges After The 'War On Science': Reforming Staffing Practices And Protecting Scientific Integrity In The Executive Branch, Justin Vaughn, José Villalobos

Selected Works Temporary Series

In this article, we examine the difficult leadership position President Barack Obama inherited as he took office with respect to science and technology policy making and implementation, particularly following the Bush administration and years of the so-called "war on science." We contend that the Obama administration's challenge is not only to take substantive policy action, but also to reform certain administrative practices, particularly in light of the previous administration's practice of the politics of strategic vacancies, a managerial technique that rearranges an agency's ideological inclinations not through the usual forms of active politicization (i.e., by filling the appointee ranks with …

The Obama Administration's Challenges After The 'War On Science': Reforming Staffing Practices And Protecting Scientific Integrity In The Executive Branch, Justin Vaughn, José Villalobos

Departmental Papers (PS)

In this article, we examine the difficult leadership position President Barack Obama inherited as he took office with respect to science and technology policy making and implementation, particularly following the Bush administration and years of the so-called "war on science." We contend that the Obama administration's challenge is not only to take substantive policy action, but also to reform certain administrative practices, particularly in light of the previous administration's practice of the politics of strategic vacancies, a managerial technique that rearranges an agency's ideological inclinations not through the usual forms of active politicization (i.e., by filling the appointee ranks with …

Strategic Management Of Three Critical Levels Of Risk, Christine G. Springer

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

The financial crisis that erupted in 2007 revealed a major gap in the management systems of government and business. For the most part, governments focused on revenue growth, productivity, cost control and quality. There were many interrelated factors involved with the failures but two in particular stand out in my mind: a failure to explicitly account for risk when formulating organizational strategies and a failure to monitor and manage the risks that they had identified and assumed. Organizations face many different types of risk but often they can be categorized into three types based upon their predictability, controllability and management. …

The Kenyan Woman: Her Historical Relationship With The State, Rosalia Wanja Ngugi

Theses and Dissertations

The historical relationship between the Kenyan state and women provides lessons and insight as to how women in a colonized state relate to the government and the gains, or lack thereof, that exist. Kenyan women were critical in the nationalist movement that intensified in the 1950s, culminating in independence in 1963. Some women fought in the forests and others were information and food distributors. Many women played a role in furthering the nationalist movement. Independence promised fruits that few women received. Through a historical analysis and an understanding of two women's organizations in Kenya, Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization and The …

Public Entities & Political Control, Ishrat Husain Dr.

Faculty Research - Newspaper and Magazine Articles

A SERIOUS concern expressed in the media these days pertains to the losses, inefficiency and corruption of public-sector corporations. The dissatisfaction with their performance is attributed to political control.

This article demonstrates that these corporations can be turned around and at the same time political control over them can be effectively exercised.

The only difference in the present situation and the proposed solution is that control is shifted from whimsical politicians to a collective system of checks and balances by parliament and the executive.

According to a survey carried out in 2007, the federal government had more than 411 organisational …

Spanning Policy Silos In Urban Development And Environmental Management: When Global Cities Are Coastal Cities Too, Herman L. Boschken

Faculty Publications, School of Management

No abstract provided.

The Future Of The Oecd, Richard Woodward

Books/Book Chapters

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is one of the least written about and least understood of our major global institutions. This new book builds a well-rounded understanding of this crucial, though often neglected, institution, with a range of clearly written chapters that:

• outline its origins and evolution, bringing its story fully up-to-date

• present a clear framework for understanding the OECD

• set the institution within the broader context of global governance

• outline key criticisms and debates

• evaluate its future prospects.

Given the immense challenges facing humanity at the start of the 21st century, the need for the OECD …

Giving Up The Single Life: Leadership Motivations For Interorganizational Restructuring In Nonprofit Organizations, David A. Campbell

Public Administration Faculty Scholarship

This paper addresses a gap in our understanding of why leaders of nonprofit organizations pursue interorganizational restructuring (defined as mergers and similar arrangements). It draws on several theories that explain interorganizational relations as adaptive responses to environmental conditions. The study analyzes four examples of interorganizational restructuring involving 11 nonprofit human service organizations. The research finds that theories emphasizing single-factor motivations (such as the need for resources, power, legitimacy, or greater efficiency) are incomplete; a multiple-factors approach suggested by Oliver's (1991) integrated theory of interorganizational relations provides a more satisfactory basis for theory development. Researchers can use this work to develop …

Strategic Management In A Networked World, Christine G. Springer

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

The article provides guidelines to an effective approach of managing employees in the U.S. These include the ability to both detect a problem and to effectively respond to it. It is also considered important when strategies are adopted, where a collaborative action among network partners can be promoted. The author also stresses the importance of valuing and nurturing organizational learning and development.

The Role Of Tuition In Financing Higher Education, Jay Craddock, Amjad Kisswani, Krista Kurvers, Hillery Leslie, Kumiko Primm, Abigal Sills

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In May 2009, six students enrolled in a graduate level policy analysis course at the University of Nevada- Las Vegas engaged in discussion concerning the effects of recent trends in the financing of higher education within the State of Nevada. This discussion was further narrowed down to the effects of tuition revenues. To what extent the University of Nevada-Las Vegas exercises control of their individual tuition revenues (how tuition revenues are expended and/or invested), and the amount of tuition revenues retained (to be expended and/or invested to maintain institutional operations) became the basis of this paper. While comparing the University …

Network Governance And Health Care Policy, M. Ernita Joaquin, Nathan Meyers

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

As a paradigm, network governance is trumping “public administration” or traditional models of government. Policies taking a network governance approach seem to have a greater chance of goal
/="/">attainment. Is network governance in health care policy a means of bridging the ideological divide, what with national health policy initiatives tripping on partisan hurdles? One example of network governance (as expounded by Stephen Goldsmith and William Eggers in their 2004 book) at the state level is high-risk health insurance programs (HRPs).

Talking Us Into War: Problem Definition By Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson And George W. Bush, Barbara Ellen May Warner

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

How presidents talk us into war merges the study of problem definition in public policy with the study of rhetoric in communications. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, this research analyzes the key words used by two presidents, Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush, to persuade us into escalating a war in Vietnam and engaging in a pre-emptive war in Iraq, respectively. The findings indicate that presidents repeat words that are patriotic, emotive, metaphorical, symbolic and religious, tapping into American themes of Manifest Destiny and even predicting dire outcomes if we do not accept their definitions of the dangers …

City Management Theory And Practice: A Foundation For Educating The Next Generation Of Local Government Administrators, Scott Douglas Lazenby

Dissertations and Theses

Due to the retirement of the baby boom generation, many individuals, in a relatively short period of time, will need to be trained and educated to step into local government senior leadership positions. Ideally, the education and training of this new leadership cadre should be guided by a well known and proven body of theory that helps us understand the competencies the next generation of public service need to possess in order to be effective in their work. The purpose of this research is to assess whether such a body of work exists and, if so, whether it is successfully …

Electoral Cycles In Ontario Municipalities: Does Election Proximity Make Local Politicians More Competitive?, Mathew Daley

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines whether an electoral cycle is present in Ontario municipal governments and whether the proximity of an election causes municipal councillors to become more competitive. An analysis of 18,675 municipal council votes between 2003 and 2006 was conducted for the following municipalities: Ottawa, Hamilton, Brampton, London, Markham, Vaughan, Windsor, and Kitchener. The findings reveal a positive correlation between time and competition in three-quarters of the observed municipal councils, indicating the presence of an electoral cycle in Ontario.

A Test Of Direct And Partially Mediated Relationships Between Leader Member Exchange, Job Embeddedness, Turnover Intentions, And Job Search Behaviors In A Southern Police Department, Mark D. Bowman

School of Public Service Theses & Dissertations

Job embeddedness has been found to predict turnover intentions, job search behaviors and turnover, and job embeddedness researchers assert, but have not tested, that job embeddedness is a mediator of other organizationally significant factors relative to organizational outcomes. A relationship not previously explored is the role of a supervisor in job embeddedness, which was operationalized in this study as leader-member exchange. A single panel survey was conducted in a police department in the southern United States with 276 current members holding the rank of police officer. Usable surveys were completed by 128 of those police officers, which is a response …

The Corruption Enigma: Understanding Success And Failure Of Corruption Reform Programs In Highly Corrupt Countries, Matthew T. Hall

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

There exists a corruption enigma. Experts and analysts largely agree on the institutional reforms that constitute successful corruption reform programs—this is the 'Corruption Consensus.' Unfortunately, the well-designed and resourced reform programs created from this consensus and intended to improve national institutional capabilities rarely work. Yet the reform programs patterned on the Corruption Consensus continue on. Everyone agrees what to do in order to reform corruption but everyone also agrees that it will not work. This is the Corruption Enigma.

This dissertation employs a structured, focused analysis to determine the reasons for varying success levels between otherwise similar countries in order …

Analysis Of Boys Hope Girls Hope Of Nevada, Andrea Sundberg, Brad Giles, Cedric Pittman, Imelda Delatorre, Rebbeca Morris Fridley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

One of the most important components of any business is the ability to effectively market the organization. Marketing is critical in shaping the public's knowledge of services offered and how an organization distinguishes itself from other organizations within a community. This type of recognition ultimately affects an organization's sustainability. To effectively conduct outreach and create an effective marketing strategy nonprofit organizations are increasingly becoming reliant on volunteers to meet these missions. With nonprofit organizations taking on larger caseloads with limited staff, organizations are becoming more reliant on volunteers, which include the Board of Directors, to assist in marketing and fundraising. …

The Use Of Policy Analysis In Southern Nevada Planning And Development Departments, Dawn Barlow, Shane Dillon, Lynn Hunsinger, Ted Lendis, Neo Vidal, Wendy Yada

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of policy analysis by planning and development departments throughout the Southern Nevada region. The data for this study was collected from interviewing eight planning and development department heads within various jurisdictions. The interviews consisted of twelve questions that were designed to explore the roles of department heads with respect to the policymaking process as well as whom is conducting policy analysis to assist in Decision-making. The main research question this study attempts to answer is, do Southern Nevada planning and development agencies conduct and use policy analysis?

The data was …

Municipal Voter Turn-Out In Ontario: An Analysis Of Community Theories And Their Application To A Prescription For Higher Voter Turn-Out In Municipal Elections, Stephen Chait

MPA Major Research Papers

This paper examines voter turnout as a proxy for civic engagement by applying the analytical lenses of Robert Putnam’s social capital theory and Richard Florida’s creative capital theory to test critical assumptions regarding the impact of size (population), diversity (immigration), creativity (education and employment), and mobility (length of residency) on voter turnout. A sample of 30 Ontario urban municipalities was analyzed based on data from the 2006 Census. The findings reveal that there is a negative correlation between voter turnout and population size and density; a negative correlation between voter turnout and non-official mother tongue and immigrant status; a negative …

A Confused Federalism, Ishrat Husain Dr.

Faculty Research - Newspaper and Magazine Articles

Pakistan continues to suffer from ‘confused federalism’ where weak provincial and local bodies are unable to match the ability of the central government to mobilise resources or provide services. Provinces and districts where most interactions take place between citizens and the government have ended up with weak authority and inadequate financial resources but a heavy burden of responsibilities. The more remote federal government enjoys most of the authority, substantial financial resources and the main responsibilities of defence, communications and foreign affairs. Other responsibilities have been assumed along the way on the plea that the provinces do not have the capacity …

Evaluating The New Fema Post Pkemra, Christine G. Springer

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Presentations

In 2002, with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and more than 20 other agencies/entities became part of a new organizational entity. Subsequent performance failures by FEMA, specifically preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina, led to a number of internal and external reviews and investigations to determine the causes of these failures and to identify potential solutions. Congressional concern led to the passage of PL109-295, the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, which set in motion a series of expectations and provided considerable resources for FEMA’s ‘transformation’. Since then, …

Case Study: Saving Money Through Alternative Disposal Of Street Sweeping Debris, Town Of Natick, Massachusetts, Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center For Public Management, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Edward J. Collins Center for Public Management Publications

In 2004, Natick submitted a Beneficial Use Determination Application for a restricted use determination by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for a pilot project to demonstrate that debris collected from sweeping Town roads could be reused to the benefit of the Town. By doing this, the Town would avoid the associated high landfill disposal costs of the sweeping debris, as well as of the cost of disposing excess compost that the Town could now mix with the debris. The majority of the “sweeping debris” is sand the Town uses on its roads during the winter. This pilot tested …

Motivated To Serve: An Empirical Examination Of Motivation And Consequences In The Public And Nonprofit Organizations, Sung Min Park, Jessica Word

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

This article draws upon a sample of nonprofit and state government managers to examine the role that service motivation plays in both sectors. The research addressed three main questions: 1) what are the main motivational types and constructs of managers in the public and nonprofit sectors? 2) what differences exist between these sectors in terms of level of motivation? And 3) what are the long-term and short-term consequences of different types of motivation? Our findings suggest that in many ways public and nonprofit managers are similar in terms of the importance of intrinsic versus extrinsic rewards. Public and nonprofit managers …