Public Management

Governance and administrative reforms

United States -  An overlooked factor in calculating spending as a ratio of GDP

Spending as a ratio of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is frequently considered a reliable indicator of how big a government is. However, this indicator does not account for the size of spending as the result of fiscal policies concerning deductions and credits, which effectively constitute spending programs. Such preferences, if added to federal outlays and receipts, makes the government appear about 4 percent of GDP larger. This observation prompts the authors of the present report to urge adopting a more comprehensive approach to accounting for budgetary and tax measures, so as to better inform the government’s financial choices.

Urban Institute

http://www.urban.org/publications/412528.html
http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412528-How-Big-Is-The-Federal-Governm...
Reference document
By : Benoît Rigaud - L'Observatoire

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International -  First world forum on governance and anti-corruption

In November 2011, politicians, private investors, representatives of non-governmental advocacy groups and journalists gathered in Prague to analyze the link between governance and corruption and to find practical solutions that can begin improving the situation. This forum culminated in the formulation of 10 principles for controlling the most problematic dimensions of this phenomenon. These principles concern, in particular, the regulation of lobbying, the protection of whistleblowers, the financing of political parties and the role of media.

The World Forum on Governance and The Brookings Institution

http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2012/0321_prague_declaration_mann.asp...
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By : Benoît Rigaud - L'Observatoire

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Public organization management

United States -  Guide to performance measure management

With a view to supporting public organizations in measuring their performance, an integral component of the strategic planning and performance budgeting processes, the Texas State Auditor recently published a guide setting out the modalities of this system. The guide highlights the expectations of elected representatives concerning performance measures and the role of central organizations. In addition, it describes the audit cycle which public organizations are required to undergo.

State Auditor Office

http://www.sao.state.tx.us/reports/main/12-333.pdf
Reference document
By : Nicolas Charest - L'Observatoire

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United Kingdom -  Relationships between departments and arm’s length bodies

What kind of relationships should be established between a department and the arm’s length bodies (ALBs) coming under its responsibility? In response to this question, the authors of the present report begin by noting that harmonious relationships between these entities results in greater effectiveness. In order to make this goal a reality, they put forward a series of recommendations, including the adoption by departments of a differentiated approach to managing their portfolio of arm’s length bodies and a more transparent and public accountability framework for big ALBs.

Institute for Government

http://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/it-takes-two
http://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/publicati...
Reference document
By : Nicolas Charest - L'Observatoire

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Public service delivery

France -  Measuring the satisfaction of social security beneficiaries

User satisfaction surveys are regularly used by public administrations, in particular to assess the appreciation of the overall social security system by beneficiaries. To better understand how this tool works, the authors of the present report present a comparison with other administrations that have broad experience in direct service to citizens and in measuring satisfaction. Twenty recommendations are included in this document, which discusses the objectives, methodologies and implementation of these surveys.

Inspection générale des affaires sociales
(in French only)

http://www.igas.gouv.fr/spip.php?article250
http://www.igas.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/RM2011-098P_-_DEF_sans_signature.pdf
Reference document
By : Nicolas Charest - L'Observatoire

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United Kingdom -  The impact of budget cuts on third sector organizations

The current economic situation has had a decisive impact on the delivery of certain public services. While administrations are the first actors to be affected, a number of private and community sector organizations have also been hard hit. A recent analysis by the Scottish Government specifically discusses the influence of economic context on third sector organizations. In particular, the authors note that current budget cuts may impair the long-term capacity of third sector organizations to provide quality services.

Scottish Government

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/02/6320/0
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0038/00388123.pdf
Reference document
By : Mathieu Carrier - L'Observatoire

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Human resources management

Australia -  State of the Service report 2010-11; workforce trends

Each year, the Australian Public Service Commission is required to produce a report on the state of public services. The 2010-11 edition discusses new trends regarding workforce composition and training, with a special focus on: leadership; employee engagement, health and well-being; and workforce planning. According to the report’s findings, all public organizations acknowledge the importance of developing the knowledge of their employees over the next three years.

Australian Public Service Commission

http://www.apsc.gov.au/stateoftheservice/1011/index.html
By : Marie-Claude Jean - L'Observatoire

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Italy -  Talent management systems

The main objective of this article is to more fully understand the decision of some businesses to adopt talent management systems and, particularly the practices used to manage talent. The results show that the sector is still relatively recent in the field of human resource development. In the four case studies taken from the Italian context, new talent management practices were implemented between 2003 and 2006. The authors also note that adopting a talent management system also triggers a change in the organizational culture of the companies involved.

GUERCI, M. and L. SOLARI. “Talent Management Practices in Italy: Implications for Human Resource Development,” Human Resource Development International, vol. 15, no. 1, 2012, pp. 25-41. Available for viewing at Informaworld.


By : Marie-Claude Jean - L'Observatoire

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Financial resources management

United States -  An analysis of the President’s 2013 budget

The authors of this report analyze the proposals contained in President Obama’s budget request for fiscal year 2013. The analysis is based on the Congressional Budget Office’s economic projections and estimating techniques. This report also contains updates of the CBO’s budget projections, estimating the deficit at $1.3 trillion in 2012, or 8.1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For 2013, the deficit is projected to decline to $977 billion, or 6.1% of GDP.

Congressional Budget Office

http://www.cbo.gov/publication/43083
http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/03-16-APB1...
Reference document
By : Marie-Claude Jean - L'Observatoire

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European Union -  The costs of compliance with taxation

This paper reviews the economic literature pertaining to the definition and measurement of the compliance costs of taxation, with a special focus on value-added tax (VAT), including evasion and fraud. Based on their analysis, the authors put forward some proposals for making the administration of VAT more effective and improving compliance.

Center for Social and Economic Research

http://www.case-research.eu/en/node/57573
http://www.case-research.eu/sites/default/files/publications/CNR_2011_...
Reference document
By : Marie-Claude Jean - L'Observatoire

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Information resources management

Australia -  Adoption of a digital information management plan

The National Archives of Australia adopted a “digital continuity plan” for managing digital information. Structured around six main principles, this plan sets out the steps to be taken in order to ensure that digital records remain accessible in the future, regardless of changes in the ways information is digitized and conserved. This plan is framed by the Australian government’s policy on public data access.

National Archives of Australia

http://www.naa.gov.au/records-management/agency/digital/digital-contin...
http://www.naa.gov.au/Images/12.02.05%20Digital%20Continuity%20Plan%20...
Reference document
By : Marc Demers - L'Observatoire

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United States -  Directive on implementing access and sharing procedures for classified documents

The objective of this directive by the Department of Homeland Security is to standardize the procedures surrounding access to and the sharing of classified information between federal, State, local, tribal and private sector entities. In particular, the directive is aimed at implementing processes established by the National Security Advisor to ensure the security and protection of information during communications between various bodies.

Department of Homeland Security

http://www.dhs.gov/files/publications/classified-national-security-inf...
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/mgmt/mgmt-classified-national-secur...
Reference document
By : Marc Demers - L'Observatoire

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Administrative law, public ethics and accountability

Canada -  Spring report by the Auditor General

This recent report by the Auditor General of Canada sets out several of the challenges currently confronting the federal government. Among the issues addressed is that of border controls to ensure that consumer goods imported for commercial purposes but presenting a risk for health and safety comply with the laws and regulations in effect in Canada. The report also discusses the replacement of the country’s fighter jets, interest-bearing debt, non-filers and non-registrants at the Canada Revenue Agency, and special examinations of Crown Corporations.

Office of the Auditor General of Canada

http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/Francais/parl_oag_201204_f_36455.htm...
http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_201204_e_36455.html
By : Marie-Claude Jean - L'Observatoire

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Public Policies

Analysis, development and evaluation of public policies

Europe -  A look at the selection of Cohesion Policy programs

This report presents the findings of a comparative study of the procedures used to select projects that receive funding under European Cohesion Policy programs. The authors note that, on the whole, these procedures serve to winnow out projects that do not comply with program conditions. However, they identify some areas for improvement, including increasing the participation of local authorities in the selection process.

European Commission

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/newsroom/detail.cfm?LAN=FR&id=188&...
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/studies/pdf/selec...
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/newsroom/detail.cfm?LAN=EN&id=188&...
Reference document
By : Estelle Mongbé - L'Observatoire

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International -  Concept mapping methodology: assessing validity and reliability

What characteristics are important for developing a reliable concept mapping methodology? By way of response to this question, the authors of the present article perform a comparative analysis of 69 concept mapping studies. They describe each of the concepts identified and define the indicators serving to assess their validity and reliability.

ROSAS, S. R. and M. KANE. “Quality and Rigor of the Concept Mapping Methodology: A Pooled Study Analysis,” Evaluation and Program Planning, vol. 35, no. 2, 2012, pp. 236-245. Available for viewing at ScienceDirect.


By : Marc Demers - L'Observatoire

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Healthcare system management

Denmark -  A case study of the Danish health system

The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies has been gathering data on European health systems since 1999. The present publication examines the case of Denmark. This profile notes that the country has moved from a tradition of decentralized care to a more highly centralized health system as the result of numerous healthcare reforms and policies. The authors of the present report note that Denmark’s system will soon be faced with numerous challenges, including the added pressures stemming from an ageing population.

European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies

http://www.euro.who.int/en/who-we-are/partners/observatory/health-syst...
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/160519/HIT_Denmark...
Reference document
By : Marie-Noëlle St-Pierre - L'Observatoire

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France -  An overview of end-of-life issues

Founded in 2010, the Observatoire national de la fin de vie (National observatory on end-of-life issues) has published its very first report on end-of-life care in France. This document is divided into three main sections: the cultural and social context surrounding the end of life, including public opinion concerning euthanasia; end-of-life issues for the health system (palliative care, for example); and the training and research needs of health professionals.

Observatoire national de la fin de vie
(in French only)

http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/rapports-publics/124000093-obse...
http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/var/storage/rapports-publics//1...
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By : Marie-Noëlle St-Pierre - L'Observatoire

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Education system management

United States -  IT technologies in schools: from infrastructure to superstructure

The most recent issue of “Converge” discusses IT infrastructures in American schools. The authors strive to aid education leaders to find solutions to their most pressing inquiries. They thus tackle such issues as networking, cloud computing, data centre virtualization, storage and security as well as human resources, IT management and leadership. All of these key areas make up what can be called the education superstructure, which plays a key role in the performance of schools.

Center for Digital Education and Converge
(free registration compulsory in order to view document)

http://www.convergemag.com/paper/Converge-2012-Q1-Special-Report-Campu...
By : Patricia Caron - L'Observatoire

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United Kingdom -  e-Safety: protecting children online

This report provides an analysis of teachers’ responses to a survey on the topics of e-safety, cyberbullying, pupil use of mobile phones and social networking. According to the results, 87% of teachers feel pupils are e-safe at school and 74% think that the prevalence of smart phones is making it easier for their pupils to access inappropriate material at school. Cyberbullying continues to be a problem, with 91% of secondary teachers saying pupils at their school have been victims.

National Foundation for Educational Research

http://www.nfer.ac.uk/nfer/publications/95001/95001_home.cfm?publicati...
http://www.nfer.ac.uk/nfer/publications/95001/95001.pdf
Reference document
By : Patricia Caron - L'Observatoire

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Regional and local governance

The Netherlands -  Barriers to collaborative regional governance

Once considered an innovation in the Netherlands, regional governance has been confronted with declining credibility. Working from the case studies involving four regions, the authors of this article have sought to identify barriers to this collaboration. According to their findings, these barriers include internal conflicts of interest, poor institutional design, and external intervention (by provincial authorities).

METZE, T. and M. LEVELT. “Barriers to Credible Innovations: Collaborative Regional Governance in the Netherlands,” The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector Innovation Journal, vol. 17, no. 1, 2012.

http://www.innovation.cc/scholarly-style/tamara_metze_v17i1a8.pdf
By : Stéphane Bernard - L'Observatoire

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Nordic countries -  Regulation and self-regulation in network governance

This article examines the paradoxical relationship between regulation and self-regulation in network governance. To this end, the authors analyze both these elements in relation to regional development structures in the Nordic countries. Their results show that regulation and self-regulation can coexist, producing varying but simultaneous impacts on network operations.

TOLKKI, H. et al. “Governance in Regional Development: Between Regulation and Self-regulation,” Public Organization Review, vol. 11, no. 4, 2011, pp. 313-333. Available for viewing at Springerlink.


By : Stéphane Bernard - L'Observatoire

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Economic development

Australia -  Economic trends and projections

Published by the Melbourne Institute, the present bulletin is devoted to economic trends in Australia. This issue sets out the economic data of the last few months as well as projections concerning national economic activity. Inflation, which stood at 2.2% in March 2012, should rise to 2.6% by December. The unemployment rate, currently pegged at 5.2 %, should also nudge up by the end of the year.

Melbourne Institute

http://melbourneinstitute.com/downloads/macro/2012/MBET/MBET_Mar2012.p...
Reference document
By : Marie-Helen Brisebois - L'Observatoire

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Canada -  Identifying the role of intermediary organizations in innovation

Working from a survey on innovation conducted by Statistics Canada in 2003, the authors of this article examine the role of “intermediary organizations,” such as professional associations and chambers of commerce. Intermediaries contribute to the creation and support of social dynamics within networks of innovations and could be used more extensively in order to enhance public policy and introduce innovation in the public sector. In particular, the results of this study show that innovation performance relies on sources of information and highly skilled labour.

DOSSOU-YOVO, A. and D.-G. TREMBLAY, “Public Policy, Intermediaries and Innovation System Performance: A Comparative Analysis of Quebec and Ontario,” The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector Innovation Journal, vol. 17, no. 1, 2012.

http://www.innovation.cc/scholarly-style/angelo_dossou_yovo_17i1a3.pdf
By : Marie-Claude Jean - L'Observatoire

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Social policies

Asia -  Charting the future of pensions in Asia

Rapid population ageing and economic transformation in Asia present major challenges concerning ways of ensuring income security in old age. Questions arise as to the best social policies to adopt in this context, including the potential role of social pensions. This document by the Asian Development Bank Institute weighs the pros and cons of social and non-contributory schemes.

Asian Development Bank Institute

http://www.adbi.org/working-paper/2012/04/11/5044.role.social.pensions...
http://www.adbi.org/files/2012.04.11.wp351.role.social.pensions.asia.p...
Reference document
By : Dave Bussières - L'Observatoire

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Australia -  The influence of social factors on access to extracurricular activities

While the benefits of “outside school hours care” (i.e., extracurricular activities) have been amply documented, the challenge nevertheless remains of providing all children access to them. In this context, it would appear useful to understand the social factors that influence access to this type of activity or care. Such is the objective of this study, which examines statistics from New South Wales and other Australian States. According to its findings, social background has an influence on patterns of use: for example, children from more affluent areas are much more likely to use this care than those children who are not – 40 percent compared with 19 percent.

National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling

http://www.childrenyoungpeopleandfamilies.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_fil...
Reference document
By : Dave Bussières - L'Observatoire

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Sustainable development

France -  A new structure to enhance public participation in environmental issues

The objective of this report by the President’s Office of France is to enable the public to provide greater input on environmental matters. The document takes up three main subjects: public access to environmental information, enhancing public participation in decisions, and restructuring mechanisms of consultation and concerted action. It also contains a proposal to establish a new agency, known as the Agence française de l'information environnementale et de la participation citoyenne, for implementing this new form of governance.

Présidence de la République
(in French only)

http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/rapports-publics/124000098-la-c...
http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/var/storage/rapports-publics//1...
Reference document
By : Nicolas Charest - L'Observatoire

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OECD -  The challenges of water sector reform

The OECD recently published a report stressing the urgent need to reform water policies. Whatever reform agendas are adopted by governments, three main challenges must be faced: financing of the water sector; the governance and institutional arrangements that are in place; and coherence between water policies and policies in place in other sectors of the economy. The last chapter of the report contains practical advice and policy tools designed to enable governments to pursue reform in their water sectors.

OECD. “Meeting the Water Reform Challenge,” Paris, OECD, 2012, 172 pp. Available for viewing at OECDiLibrary.

http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/environment/meeting-the-water-reform-chal...
By : Patrick Pollefeys - L'Observatoire

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International and intergovernmental relations

United States -  The spread of eDiplomacy

A relatively new concept, “eDiplomacy,” can be broadly defined as the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies to achieve foreign affairs objectives. eDiplomacy was first implement by the US State Department in 2002, and the American government has since invested considerable funds in this new approach to conducting diplomatic relations. The present reveals that the State Department has over 150 full-time eDiplomacy personnel at Headquarters and that more than 900 people use eDiplomacy at US missions abroad.

Lowy Institute

http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=1795
http://lowyinstitute.richmedia-server.com/docs/Hanson_Revolution-at-St...
Reference document
By : Mathieu Carrier - L'Observatoire

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International -  “Strategic distrust” – addressing the main underlying problem of US-China relations

US-China relations rest on ongoing interactions between the two countries. Each year, there are more than 60 regular government-to-government dialogues. Such meetings nevertheless contrast with the underlying distrust characterizing their ties. The authors provide an account of the concerns each leadership harbours about the other side; they then proceed to offer some recommendations for building trust between both countries. For example, they suggest holding a sustained, deep dialogue about military affairs.

The Brookings Institution

http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2012/0330_us_china_lieberthal.aspx
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2012/0330_china_liebe...
Reference document
By : Mathieu Carrier - L'Observatoire

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Sectoral policies

United Kingdom -  A strategy to control alcohol abuse and related antisocial behaviour

The UK’s alcohol strategy sets out proposals for controlling excessive drinking and reducing alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder. In particular, this strategy suggests introducing a minimum unit price for alcohol and consulting the public about consult on a ban on the sale of multi-buy alcohol discounting. It also includes a recommendation to introduce stronger powers for local areas to control the density of licensed premises and a proposal to pilot innovative sobriety schemes.

Home Office

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/alcohol-drugs/alcohol/alcoho...
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/alcohol-drugs/alcohol/alcoho...
Reference document
By : Patrick Pollefeys - L'Observatoire

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OECD -  Projecting transport infrastructures needs from now until 2030

According to the authors of this report, governments must start now to plan and implement new gateway and transport hub infrastructures (ports, airports and major rail corridors), particularly as current infrastructures will be unable to keep up with projected growth. For example, air passenger traffic could double between now and 2030. During this same time frame, air cargo traffic could triple and port container handling could quadruple.

OECD. “Strategic Transport Infrastructure Needs to 2030,” Paris, OECD, 2012, 248 pp. Available for viewing at OECDiLibrary.

http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/strategic-transport-infrastruct...
By : Patrick Pollefeys - L'Observatoire

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