Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2012 Edition
An Assessment of Contracted Out Parking Services: A Case Study
Deepak Sharma
Abstract
Over the past two decades the trend of privatizing local government services has increased significantly. The reliance on private sector is considered as a paramount solution to the rising problems of local government as it aims at providing quality services in a cost effective manner. Thus, contracting out is globally becoming a common strategy for local governments. With the help of primary and secondary data the present study examines the process and performance of contracting out by the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh. The study assesses the success through analysis of the citizen satisfaction responses of local paid parking services that have been contracted out. Through this analysis the study also provides suggestions which will help in improving contracting out as a viable solution for providing services in cost effective manner.
Key words: Contracting out, Municipal Corporation, Citizen Satisfaction
Urban Governance of Disease
Rebecca Katz, Sangeeta Mookherji, Morgan Kaminski, Vibhuti Haté and Julie E. Fischer
Abstract
Rapid population growth, urbanization, and the growing challenges faced by the urban poor require redefining the paradigm for public health interventions in the 21st century, creating new approaches that take urban determinants of health into consideration. The widening disparity between the urban poor and the urban rich further exacerbates health inequities. Existing tools for global governance of urban health risks fall short, particularly in the lack of formal mechanisms to strengthen collaboration and communication among national and municipal agencies and between their local and international non-governmental partners. There is also a clear disconnect between governance strategies crafted at the international level and implementation on the ground. The challenge is to find common ground for global goods and municipal needs, and to craft innovative and dynamic policy solutions that can benefit some of the poorest citizens of the global urban network.
Key words: global health governance; urban health governance; poverty; urbanization
Empowerment of Science, Techonology and Mathematics (STM) Teachers: A Strategy for the Realisation of the Millenium Development Goals
Mgbomo, Tubonemi
Abstract
Nigeria has always had commendable education programmes which often times die natural death due to poor implementation. This paper gives an overview of some teacher related problems which can impede the attainment of the MDGs as well as the general goals of education. The paper also suggest individual teachers commitment by way of belonging to STAN and other professional bodies, and government interventions in some of the challenges facing teachers as the way forward.
Key words: strategy, educacation programmes, MDGs
Socio-Statistical Research on the Internalization of European Administrative Space Principles in the Romanian Public Administration
Ani Matei *, Lucica Matei and Diana-Camelia Iancu
Abstract
The authors propose an analysis of the public administration reform in Romania by assessing whether the Romanian civil servants perform their duties according to the regulations of the European Administrative Space. The paper offers a socio-statistic perspective on the internalization of the European Administrative Space principles, namely, the rule of law, openness towards citizens, and public administration responsibility in a Romanian context, after the European Union accession. Designed within the framework of modern theories of organizational sociology that see internalization as a process of organizational learning and change, and using a relevant sample of Romanian civil servants, the paper offers important and useful results for the future Romanian policies and strategies in an integrated European arena.
Key words: European Administrative Space; rule of law; internalization of norms
Antecedents and Consequences of Psychological and Team Empowerment in Organizations: A Meta-Analytic Review
Scott E. Seibert, Gang Wang, and Stephen H. Courtright
Abstract
This paper provides meta-analytic support for an integrated model specifying the antecedents and consequences of psychological and team empowerment. Results indicate that contextual antecedent constructs representing perceived high-performance managerial practices, socio-political support, leadership, and work characteristics are each strongly related to psychological empowerment. Positive self-evaluation traits are related to psychological empowerment and are as strongly related as the contextual factors. Psychological empowerment is in turn positively associated with a broad range of employee outcomes, including job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and task and contextual performance, and is negatively associated with employee strain and turnover intentions. Team empowerment is positively related to team performance. Further, the magnitude of parallel antecedent and outcome relationships at the individual and team levels is statistically indistinguishable, demonstrating the generalizability of empowerment theory across these 2 levels of analysis. A series of analyses also demonstrates the validity of psychological empowerment as a unitary second-order construct. Implications and future directions for empowerment research and theory are discussed.
Key words: empowerment, teams, high-performance work systems, job satisfaction, performance
A Study on Promoting Inclusive Growth with Reference to Axis Bank
Rakesh H M
Abstract
Axis Bank was formed as UTI when it was incorporated in 1994 when Government of India allowed private players in the banking sector. The bank was sponsored together by the administrator of the specified undertaking of the Unit Trust of India, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and General Insurance Corporation ltd. and its subsidiaries namely National insurance company ltd., the New India Assurance Company, the Oriental Insurance Corporation and United Insurance Company Ltd. Promoting inclusive growth has been top priority area of the Axis Bank Foundation. They try to make the difference to their customers, to the society and to the nation’s development directly through the products and services, as well as through developmental initiatives and community outreach its main areas of focus is for promoting inclusive growth consisting of education, public health and medical relief, sustainable livelihoods and improving access to financial services and technology initiatives. These can be achieved through active collaboration with the government and independent organizations.
Key words: Axis Bank, inclusive growth, developmental initiatives, community outreach
Supervisory Functions of Secondary School Principals and Factors Competing With These Functions
Osakwe, Regina N.
Abstract
Educational supervision has passed through various phases in Nigeria. It is regarded as one of the essential functions which principals perform to achieve the objectives of the school system. This study focuses on issues related to the supervisory functions or secondary school principals and factors competing with them. It highlights the required skills and personal traits, the techniques of supervision and the basic principles for effective supervision by principals. Finally, the study drew conclusions and made recommendations that will improve the supervisory functions of principals despite the existence of competing factors.
Key words:Supervision, Principals, Supervisory functions, Competing factors, Secondary schools, Delta State, Nigeria.
Advances in the Research of Melatonin in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Literature Review and New Perspectives
Sylvie Tordjman, Imen Najjar, Eric Bellissant, George M. Anderson, Marianne Barburoth, David Cohen, Nemat Jaafari, Olivier Schischmanoff, Rémi Fagard, Enas Lagdas, Solenn Kermarrec, Sophie Ribardiere, Michel Botbol, Claire Fougerou, Guillaume Bronsard and Julie Vernay-Leconte
Abstract
Abnormalities in melatonin physiology may be involved or closely linked to the pathophysiology and behavioral expression of autistic disorder, given its role in neurodevelopment and reports of sleep-wake rhythm disturbances, decreased nocturnal melatonin production, and beneficial therapeutic effects of melatonin in individuals with autism. In addition, melatonin, as a pineal gland hormone produced from serotonin, is of special interest in autistic disorder given reported alterations in central and peripheral serotonin neurobiology. More specifically, the role of melatonin in the ontogenetic establishment of circadian rhythms and the synchronization of peripheral oscillators opens interesting perspectives to ascertain better the mechanisms underlying the significant relationship found between lower nocturnal melatonin excretion and increased severity of autistic social communication impairments, especially for verbal communication and social imitative play. In this article, first we review the studies on melatonin levels and the treatment studies of melatonin in autistic disorder. Then, we discuss the relationships between melatonin and autistic behavioral impairments with regard to social communication (verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction), and repetitive behaviors or interests with difficulties adapting to change. In conclusion, we emphasize that randomized clinical trials in autism spectrum disorders are warranted to establish potential therapeutic efficacy of melatonin for social communication impairments and stereotyped behaviors or interests.
Key words: melatonin; biological clocks; circadian rhythm; synchrony; autism spectrum disorders; social communication; stereotyped behaviors
An Assessment of Contracted Out Parking Services: A Case Study
Deepak Sharma
Abstract
Over the past two decades the trend of privatizing local government services has increased significantly. The reliance on private sector is considered as a paramount solution to the rising problems of local government as it aims at providing quality services in a cost effective manner. Thus, contracting out is globally becoming a common strategy for local governments. With the help of primary and secondary data the present study examines the process and performance of contracting out by the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh. The study assesses the success through analysis of the citizen satisfaction responses of local paid parking services that have been contracted out. Through this analysis the study also provides suggestions which will help in improving contracting out as a viable solution for providing services in cost effective manner.
Key words: Contracting out, Municipal Corporation, Citizen Satisfaction
 [Abstract-PDF]
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5.1.1.2012.1
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Urban Governance of Disease
Rebecca Katz, Sangeeta Mookherji, Morgan Kaminski, Vibhuti Haté and Julie E. Fischer
Abstract
Rapid population growth, urbanization, and the growing challenges faced by the urban poor require redefining the paradigm for public health interventions in the 21st century, creating new approaches that take urban determinants of health into consideration. The widening disparity between the urban poor and the urban rich further exacerbates health inequities. Existing tools for global governance of urban health risks fall short, particularly in the lack of formal mechanisms to strengthen collaboration and communication among national and municipal agencies and between their local and international non-governmental partners. There is also a clear disconnect between governance strategies crafted at the international level and implementation on the ground. The challenge is to find common ground for global goods and municipal needs, and to craft innovative and dynamic policy solutions that can benefit some of the poorest citizens of the global urban network.
Key words: global health governance; urban health governance; poverty; urbanization
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
5.1.1.2012.2
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Empowerment of Science, Techonology and Mathematics (STM) Teachers: A Strategy for the Realisation of the Millenium Development Goals
Mgbomo, Tubonemi
Abstract
Nigeria has always had commendable education programmes which often times die natural death due to poor implementation. This paper gives an overview of some teacher related problems which can impede the attainment of the MDGs as well as the general goals of education. The paper also suggest individual teachers commitment by way of belonging to STAN and other professional bodies, and government interventions in some of the challenges facing teachers as the way forward.
Key words: strategy, educacation programmes, MDGs
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
5.1.1.2012.3
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Socio-Statistical Research on the Internalization of European Administrative Space Principles in the Romanian Public Administration
Ani Matei *, Lucica Matei and Diana-Camelia Iancu
Abstract
The authors propose an analysis of the public administration reform in Romania by assessing whether the Romanian civil servants perform their duties according to the regulations of the European Administrative Space. The paper offers a socio-statistic perspective on the internalization of the European Administrative Space principles, namely, the rule of law, openness towards citizens, and public administration responsibility in a Romanian context, after the European Union accession. Designed within the framework of modern theories of organizational sociology that see internalization as a process of organizational learning and change, and using a relevant sample of Romanian civil servants, the paper offers important and useful results for the future Romanian policies and strategies in an integrated European arena.
Key words: European Administrative Space; rule of law; internalization of norms
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
5.1.1.2012.4
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Antecedents and Consequences of Psychological and Team Empowerment in Organizations: A Meta-Analytic Review
Scott E. Seibert, Gang Wang, and Stephen H. Courtright
Abstract
This paper provides meta-analytic support for an integrated model specifying the antecedents and consequences of psychological and team empowerment. Results indicate that contextual antecedent constructs representing perceived high-performance managerial practices, socio-political support, leadership, and work characteristics are each strongly related to psychological empowerment. Positive self-evaluation traits are related to psychological empowerment and are as strongly related as the contextual factors. Psychological empowerment is in turn positively associated with a broad range of employee outcomes, including job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and task and contextual performance, and is negatively associated with employee strain and turnover intentions. Team empowerment is positively related to team performance. Further, the magnitude of parallel antecedent and outcome relationships at the individual and team levels is statistically indistinguishable, demonstrating the generalizability of empowerment theory across these 2 levels of analysis. A series of analyses also demonstrates the validity of psychological empowerment as a unitary second-order construct. Implications and future directions for empowerment research and theory are discussed.
Key words: empowerment, teams, high-performance work systems, job satisfaction, performance
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
5.1.1.2012.5
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A Study on Promoting Inclusive Growth with Reference to Axis Bank
Rakesh H M
Abstract
Axis Bank was formed as UTI when it was incorporated in 1994 when Government of India allowed private players in the banking sector. The bank was sponsored together by the administrator of the specified undertaking of the Unit Trust of India, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and General Insurance Corporation ltd. and its subsidiaries namely National insurance company ltd., the New India Assurance Company, the Oriental Insurance Corporation and United Insurance Company Ltd. Promoting inclusive growth has been top priority area of the Axis Bank Foundation. They try to make the difference to their customers, to the society and to the nation’s development directly through the products and services, as well as through developmental initiatives and community outreach its main areas of focus is for promoting inclusive growth consisting of education, public health and medical relief, sustainable livelihoods and improving access to financial services and technology initiatives. These can be achieved through active collaboration with the government and independent organizations.
Key words: Axis Bank, inclusive growth, developmental initiatives, community outreach
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
5.1.1.2012.6
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Supervisory Functions of Secondary School Principals and Factors Competing With These Functions
Osakwe, Regina N.
Abstract
Educational supervision has passed through various phases in Nigeria. It is regarded as one of the essential functions which principals perform to achieve the objectives of the school system. This study focuses on issues related to the supervisory functions or secondary school principals and factors competing with them. It highlights the required skills and personal traits, the techniques of supervision and the basic principles for effective supervision by principals. Finally, the study drew conclusions and made recommendations that will improve the supervisory functions of principals despite the existence of competing factors.
Key words:Supervision, Principals, Supervisory functions, Competing factors, Secondary schools, Delta State, Nigeria.
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
5.1.1.2012.7
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Advances in the Research of Melatonin in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Literature Review and New Perspectives
Sylvie Tordjman, Imen Najjar, Eric Bellissant, George M. Anderson, Marianne Barburoth, David Cohen, Nemat Jaafari, Olivier Schischmanoff, Rémi Fagard, Enas Lagdas, Solenn Kermarrec, Sophie Ribardiere, Michel Botbol, Claire Fougerou, Guillaume Bronsard and Julie Vernay-Leconte
Abstract
Abnormalities in melatonin physiology may be involved or closely linked to the pathophysiology and behavioral expression of autistic disorder, given its role in neurodevelopment and reports of sleep-wake rhythm disturbances, decreased nocturnal melatonin production, and beneficial therapeutic effects of melatonin in individuals with autism. In addition, melatonin, as a pineal gland hormone produced from serotonin, is of special interest in autistic disorder given reported alterations in central and peripheral serotonin neurobiology. More specifically, the role of melatonin in the ontogenetic establishment of circadian rhythms and the synchronization of peripheral oscillators opens interesting perspectives to ascertain better the mechanisms underlying the significant relationship found between lower nocturnal melatonin excretion and increased severity of autistic social communication impairments, especially for verbal communication and social imitative play. In this article, first we review the studies on melatonin levels and the treatment studies of melatonin in autistic disorder. Then, we discuss the relationships between melatonin and autistic behavioral impairments with regard to social communication (verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction), and repetitive behaviors or interests with difficulties adapting to change. In conclusion, we emphasize that randomized clinical trials in autism spectrum disorders are warranted to establish potential therapeutic efficacy of melatonin for social communication impairments and stereotyped behaviors or interests.
Key words: melatonin; biological clocks; circadian rhythm; synchrony; autism spectrum disorders; social communication; stereotyped behaviors
| [Abstract-PDF]
|
5.1.1.2012.8
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