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Research Article
Navigating Meritocracy and Political Influence in Regional Bureaucratic Recruitment: Insights from Indonesia
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
214-223
Received:
15 August 2025
Accepted:
28 August 2025
Published:
10 October 2025
Abstract: This study examined the interplay between meritocracy and political influence in recruiting local bureaucrats in Indonesia, a process with significant consequences for governance and public service delivery. Meritocracy, emphasizing competence and qualifications, is widely recognized as the normative civil service (PNS) recruitment principle. However, in practice, political intervention frequently undermines merit-based procedures, fostering nepotism and weakening the quality of public services. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, this study analyzed primary and secondary data to evaluate how meritocratic principles have been integrated into regional recruitment practices. The findings revealed that while policies supporting meritocracy are formally in place, their implementation was consistently constrained by pervasive political interference. This eroded fairness and transparency, contributing to inefficiencies within local bureaucracies. The study recommends strengthening governance mechanisms, improving transparency, and encouraging community participation in recruitment to address these challenges. This research contributes to the broader discourse on bureaucratic reform by highlighting the persistent gap between policy and practice. It offers insights for policymakers seeking to enhance recruitment systems and governance quality in Indonesia.
Abstract: This study examined the interplay between meritocracy and political influence in recruiting local bureaucrats in Indonesia, a process with significant consequences for governance and public service delivery. Meritocracy, emphasizing competence and qualifications, is widely recognized as the normative civil service (PNS) recruitment principle. Howev...
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Research Article
Impact of Devolution on Service Delivery in Rural Areas in South Sudan
Bec George Anyak*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
224-233
Received:
11 September 2025
Accepted:
24 September 2025
Published:
10 October 2025
Abstract: This study examined the effects of devolution on service delivery in South Sudan through a mixed-methods approach combining household surveys (n = 450), key informant interviews (n = 32), and focus group discussions (n = 12) across four counties including Bor, Rubkona, Wau, and Torit. Descriptive statistics reveal that only 38% of respondents perceived improvements in health services and 41% in education, while satisfaction with water and sanitation services remained low at 29%. Correlation analysis shows a moderate positive relationship between fiscal transfers and perceived service delivery outcomes (r =.46, p <.01), and between community participation and accountability perceptions (r =.52, p <.01). Regression models indicate that fiscal autonomy significantly predicts improvements in local service delivery (β = 0.37, p = .002), whereas political interference and corruption negatively influenced outcomes (β = -0.42, p =.001). Qualitative findings underscore county-level disparities: Bor demonstrated stronger institutional capacity and better service outcomes, Rubkona revealed how oil revenues fostered elite capture, Wau highlighted the effects of remoteness and weak infrastructure, and Torit illustrated the impact of conflict exposure on service delivery. Across all sites, inequitable resource allocation, fragile governance, and inconsistent fiscal flows emerged as critical barriers. Overall, the evidence suggests that while devolution has opened limited spaces for local responsiveness, its transformative potential remains constrained by weak institutions and political interference. Strengthening transparency mechanisms, ensuring equitable resource distribution, and enhancing county-level capacity are essential for realizing the developmental promise of devolution in South Sudan.
Abstract: This study examined the effects of devolution on service delivery in South Sudan through a mixed-methods approach combining household surveys (n = 450), key informant interviews (n = 32), and focus group discussions (n = 12) across four counties including Bor, Rubkona, Wau, and Torit. Descriptive statistics reveal that only 38% of respondents perce...
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Research Article
Patient Satisfaction: An Empirical Study in Nghe An Mental Hospital
Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy*,
Nguyen Thi Hanh Duyen,
Nguyen Thuy Van
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
234-243
Received:
12 September 2025
Accepted:
5 October 2025
Published:
30 October 2025
Abstract: Improving the quality of medical examination and treatment plays an important role in protecting and improving public health. To improve the effectiveness of medical examination and treatment quality management at the facility, it is necessary to clearly understand the current situation, analyze the factors affecting patient satisfaction, and then propose appropriate solutions. Patient satisfaction is a measure of the quality of medical services in general and hospital quality in particular. Therefore, hospital quality will be one of the factors that greatly affect patient satisfaction. The purpose of this article is to assess the level of influence of hospital quality factors on patient satisfaction at Nghe An Psychiatric Hospital. Based on the results of the investigation and survey of 448 patients/relatives of patients undergoing inpatient and outpatient treatment at Nghe An Mental Hospital, the article uses quantitative research methods including: Cronbach's Alpha reliability testing, EFA exploratory factor analysis, CFA confirmatory factor analysis, correlation testing and Multivariate linear regression analysis with the support of SPSS software. The research results show that there are 05 factors that positively affect the overall satisfaction of patients, respectively: (i) Patient orientation; (ii) Quality improvement activities; (iii) Professional activities.
Abstract: Improving the quality of medical examination and treatment plays an important role in protecting and improving public health. To improve the effectiveness of medical examination and treatment quality management at the facility, it is necessary to clearly understand the current situation, analyze the factors affecting patient satisfaction, and then ...
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Research Article
Managing Change in Cities: Transition Kampala Capital City to Kampala Capital City Authority
David Lwanga*,
Stella Koyohairwe,
Isaih Eitu
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
244-257
Received:
6 January 2025
Accepted:
26 January 2025
Published:
14 November 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.jppa.20250904.14
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Abstract: Kampala city was formally governed as a local government entity under Kampala city council (KCC), due to maladministration characterized by failure in city service delivery, mismanagement of funds among others ignited various institutional pressures to push for its transformation into a semi-autonomous entity that's Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). The transformation of KCC to KCCA encountered a lot of resistance from different sources that necessitated divergent strategies for positive receptivity for reforms that enabled it to attain institutional legitimacy. The study explores the various sources of resistance during the transformation period and change management practices that were adopted to create positive receptivity for reforms—thus KCCA's attainment of institutional legitimacy. Through an exploratory sequential design, a sample of participants was sequentially selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques until the saturation point was reached. Data generated through interviews was analyzed using a blend of grounded theory analysis and the Gioia cording method. The findings reveal that the KCCA Act, the populist agenda of elected leaders, and mixing politics and work were major sources of resistance. Secondly, both institutional oriented strategies such as creating a cultural shift, asserting, character of the team leader, galvanizing a team that could deliver, etc and community-oriented strategies such as walking with the community, identifying key stakeholders, and harmonizing power centers were adopted to create positive receptivity for the reforms. The study draws the attention of administrators and policy makers to the need for thorough scrutiny of any law to be made on the transformation of public entities but also to the need for continuous amendment of the KCCA Act, to streamline political activities in the city and regulate the mixing of politics with technical work. In addition to that since the city manager model has proven to be effective in the management of the city, it can be adopted by new cities and develop succession planning for the leadership of KCCA as frequent changes in the leadership had a negative effect on the progress.
Abstract: Kampala city was formally governed as a local government entity under Kampala city council (KCC), due to maladministration characterized by failure in city service delivery, mismanagement of funds among others ignited various institutional pressures to push for its transformation into a semi-autonomous entity that's Kampala Capital City Authority (...
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Research Article
Preparation of Composite Budgets in the Tamale Metropolis: Determinants, Effects and Challenges of Participation
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
258-268
Received:
26 September 2025
Accepted:
13 October 2025
Published:
14 November 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.jppa.20250904.15
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: The process of composite budgeting necessitates the integration of all financial plans and initiatives from dispersed agencies or units into the district, municipal, and metropolitan assembly budgets (MMDAs). To maintain uniformity, the planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and auditing processes are done for all the units to ensure harmony. The causes, consequences, and difficulties of composite budgeting in Ghana are investigated in this study. The study chose 90 respondents from the Tamale Metro Assembly. Data were collected using questionnaires, in-depth interviews, a systematic review of the Assembly's expenditures, budget allocations, auditor reports from 2013 to 2019, and observations. The study found that the expertise, age, transparency, and inclusivity of stakeholders affect their involvement in the budgeting process. Two-thirds of the expenses were recurring costs. Social services, income generation, and empowerment receive the least amount. Even though composite budgeting is mandated by law, non-state actors' influence and contribution—such as women's organizations and non-technical groups—are not given enough weight. The challenges to composite budgeting, include apathy, lack of information, partisanship and politicization of the process, and insufficient funding. To maintain trust and objectivity in budgeting, the study recommends rigorous adherence to composite budgeting procedures and minimizing partisanship in the processes.
Abstract: The process of composite budgeting necessitates the integration of all financial plans and initiatives from dispersed agencies or units into the district, municipal, and metropolitan assembly budgets (MMDAs). To maintain uniformity, the planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and auditing processes are done for all the units to ensure harmony. Th...
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