L'Observatoire News

Notice of Publication

Télescope -  Public administrations in the age of ICTs

Over the last two decades, information and communication technologies have considerably evolved, forcing public administrations to adapt their ways of doing business. The most recent issue of the online French-language journal “Télescope” is dedicated to ICTs. Researchers from around the world share the results of their research concerning a range of subjects such as transparency, e-Governance, social networks, service delivery and shared services, open-source software, public registers, cloud computing and costs.

http://www.telescope.enap.ca/Telescope/23/Numero_en_cours.enap
By : Patricia Caron - L'Observatoire

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Public Management

Governance and administrative reforms

Canada -  A historical and prospective overview of policy and political developments

Within the framework of activities commemorating the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Institute for Research on Public Policy, the author of this long thought piece presents a synthesis of the major events of Canadian policy and political history since 1945 and identifies a number of developments that will shape the country’s future. He notes, for example, the rise to political prominence of Western Canada, the development of Northern areas, and the apportioning of income from the development of non-renewable resources.

Institute for Research on Public Policy

http://www.irpp.org/fr/show_study.php?id=393
Reference document
By : Benoît Rigaud - L'Observatoire

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European Union -  Is economic protectionism compatible with the European Union?

“Economic patriotism” is generally associated with the policies of nation-states. Recently, however, the institutions of the European Union appropriated elements of this discourse, which could seem to stand at odds with the creation of a single European market in keeping with the principles of economic liberalism. On the basis of this observation, the author of the present article argues that Europe’s economic ambitions should be accompanied by a strengthening of the democratic workings of European institutions.

ROSAMOND, B. “Supranational Governance as Economic Patriotism? The European Union, Legitimacy and the Reconstruction of State Space,” Journal of European Public Policy, vol. 19, no. 3, 2012, pp. 324-341. Available for viewing at Informaworld.


By : Benoît Rigaud - L'Observatoire

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Public organization management

United States -  An assessment of a telework reporting initiative

Under the provisions of the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required to report to Congress on the degree of telework participation at executive agencies. In this report, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) assesses the compliance of the OPM with legislative requirements. In light of the findings of its audit, the GAO recommends that the OPM clearly report reliability limitations with the 2011 telework data call in its June 2012 report to Congress and that it continue efforts to improve data collection so as to produce more appropriate qualification of year-to-year comparisons.

Government Accountability Office

http://www.gao.gov/assets/600/590219.pdf
Reference document
By : Nicolas Charest - L'Observatoire

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New Zealand -  The challenges of scorecards for local administrations

On the basis of an empirical study, the authors of this article assess the use of scorecards by local government organizations in New Zealand. They note that this performance management tool has, until now, been adopted at low rates by local administrations. In their view, such limited use stems from perceptions of scorecard utility that are dominated by performance measurement and reporting, while the performance management role of this tool remains relatively under-exploited.

NORTHCOTT, D. and T. M. TAULAPAPA. “Using the Balanced Scorecard to
Manage Performance in Public Sector Organizations: Issues and Challenges,” International Journal of Public Sector Management, vol. 25, no. 3, 2012, pp. 166-191. Available for viewing at Emerald.


By : Nicolas Charest - L'Observatoire

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Public service delivery

United Kingdom -  An appraisal of the White Paper on open public services

In summer 2011, the British government brought out a White Paper on Open Public Services. The present report reviews the progress made to date on improving services and sketches out the prospects for future achievements, particularly regarding healthcare, education and social services. These reforms have the particularity of being enacted within the framework of devolution and the shifting of powers from the central government to local and regional authorities.

Cabinet Office

http://files.openpublicservices.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/HMG_OpenPublicSer...
Reference document
By : Nicolas Charest - L'Observatoire

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International -  Looking to the experience of businesses with transactional services

For several years now, the service delivery landscape has been undergoing deep transformations. Among the major factors accounting for these changes, the need to reduce fraud and the emergence of cloud computing figure prominently. It is in this context that trends in transactional services have been unfolding. The present report describes the experiences of private sector organizations with transactional services, all with a view to supporting the development of these services in the public sector.

Capgemini

http://www.capgemini.com/insights-and-resources/by-publication/rising-...
Reference document
By : Nicolas Charest - L'Observatoire

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Human resources management

United States -  A profile of the workforce of State and local governments

A survey was conducted among the employees of US State and local governments to provide a profile of this workforce. According to survey results, government workers are still facing the challenges of pay and hiring freezes as well as layoffs. In addition, it would appear that 22% of retiring employees have accelerated their retirement plans.

Center for State and Local Government Excellence

http://slge.org/publications/state-and-local-government-workforce2012-...
http://slge.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/S-L-Govt-Workforce-2012_12-...
Reference document
By : Marie-Helen Brisebois - L'Observatoire

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France -  The systemic determinants of recruitment practices

The Centre d'études de l'emploi, a French employment studies institute, published a study of recruiting practices focusing on four main sectors, including banking. The present report also examines issues of recruitment governance and recruitment channels, as well as the procedures, criteria and selectivity accompanying recruitment. The authors strive to show how recruitment practices are structured by employment systems.

Centre d'études de l'emploi
(in French only)

http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/rapports-publics/124000178-prat...
http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/var/storage/rapports-publics/12...
Reference document
By : Marie-Helen Brisebois - L'Observatoire

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Financial resources management

Australia -  A quality control system for reducing administrative error and ensuring payment integrity

In 2009, the Australian government launched a redesign of the service delivery arrangements. Thus, through Centrelink, it has sought to offer high quality services while also ensuring payment integrity and reducing administrative error. This report by the Auditor General concerning Centrelink recommends, among other things, maintaining a quality control system for guaranteeing the consistency and accuracy of administrative operations.

Australian National Audit Office

http://www.anao.gov.au/~/media/Uploads/Audit%20Reports/2011%2012/20111...
Reference document
By : Marie-Claude Jean - L'Observatoire

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United States -  The ulterior motives of incumbents regarding the use of budget forecasts

The author of this article raises the question, “Could there be an ulterior motive for underestimating surpluses and deficits?” He tests the hypothesis according to which budgets are used as a strategic tool. He notes that, generally speaking, annual budgets appear to be less biased by political factors, whereas long-term budget forecasts tend to be used to set the political agenda according to the incumbents’ interest. Furthermore, regardless of the type of forecast applied, incumbents will typically underestimate forecasts in order to downplay overall spending increases and demonstrate that they are responsible managers of the public purse.

BROGAN, M. “The Politics of Budgeting: Evaluating the Effects of the Political Election Cycle on State-Level Budget Forecast Errors,” Public Administration Quarterly, vol. 36, no. 1, 2012, pp. 84-115. Available for viewing at Ebsco.


By : Marie-Claude Jean - L'Observatoire

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Information resources management

United Kingdom -  An appraisal of transparency initiatives

Britain’s coalition government has implemented a number of initiatives to improve transparency. This report by the Comptroller and Auditor General offers an appraisal of these efforts. He begins by examining precedents in the area of transparency initiatives and then analyzes the processes implemented until now. Finally, he discusses the potential that such measures offer for stimulating economic growth. The Auditor General asserts that the Cabinet Office, in partnership with departments, has significantly increased the amount and type of public sector information released and met a high proportion of its commitments.

National Audit Office

http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/1012/implementing_transparency.aspx
Reference document
By : Marie-Helen Brisebois - L'Observatoire

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International -  An overview of hyperconnectivity

The 2012 edition of the Global Information Technology Report 2012 is dedicated to hyperconnectivity. This concept refers to the redefinition of relationships between people and businesses and between citizens and governments. With the advent of hyperconnectivity also come new opportunities to improve productivity, welfare and public service delivery. Detailed profiles of 142 countries offer a complete picture of their respective ITC situation and thus facilitate international comparisons.

World Economic Forum

http://www3.weforum.org/docs/Global_IT_Report_2012.pdf
Reference document
By : Marie-Helen Brisebois - L'Observatoire

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Administrative law, public ethics and accountability

United Kingdom -  The case for “engagement research” in public sector accounting

The authors of this article put the case for “engagement research,” which they define as an approach that seeks to directly engage bodies outside academia with a view to fostering dialogue, engendering change and bringing forth positive outcomes within a short timeframe. With a view to demonstrating the benefits of engagement research for administrations, policymakers and stakeholders, they draw on their own experience from a project on sustainability reporting conducted in the British public service between 2003 and 2005.

BALL, A., V. SOARE and J. BREWIS. “Engagement Research in Public Sector Accounting,” Financial Accountability and Management, vol. 28, no. 2, 2012, pp. 189-214. Available for viewing at Wiley InterScience.


By : Marie-Claude Jean - L'Observatoire

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Public Policies

Analysis, development and evaluation of public policies

International -  An assessment of impact studies and cost-benefit analyses

Impact studies became mandatory in France in 2009. The author of this article examines the implications of the integration of cost-benefit analysis in French policymaking via a comparison with the United States. By way of conclusion, she argues that impact studies and cost-benefit analysis should be used as tools to facilitate rational decision making but are not a substitute for informed political judgment.

ROSE-ACKERMAN, S. “Étude d'impact et analyse coûts-avantages: qu'impliquent-elles pour l'élaboration des politiques publiques et les réformes législatives?”, Revue française d'administration publique, no. 140, 2011, pp. 787-806. Available for viewing at Cairn (in French only).


By : Marie-Claude Jean - L'Observatoire

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Healthcare system management

England -  A national plan of action on dementia

Approximately 670,000 people suffer from dementia in England. In 2009, the scope of the phenomenon prompted the British government to adopt a national strategy on dementia, one of the first of its kind in the world. The present plan of action notes the accomplishments of the last three years and describes the main actions yet to be implemented in order to radically improve the quality of life of dementia-sufferers and their families between now and 2015. This plan is framed around several different milestones, including improvements to dementia care and better research.

Department of Health

http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/do...
Reference document
By : Estelle Mongbé - L'Observatoire

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Australia -  Reform of the aged care system

The Australian government unveiled a package of reforms to “build a better, fairer, more sustainable and more nationally consistent aged care system.” This reform package represents an outlay of $3.7 billion over five years. In particular, it gives priority to providing more support and care in the home and better access to residential care.

Department of Health and Ageing

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ageing-a...
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/...
Reference document
By : Marie-Helen Brisebois - L'Observatoire

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Education system management

Canada - Québec -  Consultation concerning a proposed budget rule amendment

The Quebec “Superior Council on Education"’s Advisory Committee on the Financial Accessibility of Education examined a proposal to amend the budget rule pertaining to the framework used to set the compulsory fees charged by universities. In its report the committee describes and analyzes the various modifications put forward. It also sets out its opinion concerning the documents to be produced, the framework mechanisms, the maximum annual increases and the mandatory institutional fees. Finally, the committee formally approves the proposed amendment.

Conseil supérieur de l’éducation
(in French only)

http://www.cse.gouv.qc.ca/fichiers/documents/publications/ccafe/50-112...
Reference document
By : Patricia Caron - L'Observatoire

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United States -  Challenges to offering physical education instruction in primary and secondary schools

Notwithstanding all the benefits of sports, instruction time for physical education has been decreasing in the United States over the last several years. This report by the Government Accountability Office examines the opportunities for primary and secondary students to take physical education classes and highlights the challenges facing schools wishing to offer such instruction. Limited budgets are one of the barriers to offering more physical education classes.

Government Accountability Office

http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-350
http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/588944.pdf
Reference document
By : Patricia Caron - L'Observatoire

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Regional and local governance

Australia -  Organizing cities in order to promote social connections

This report discusses the problem of isolation and loneliness among certain groups of people (the elderly, single-parent families, etc.) in Australian cities. In particular, the authors show how the organization of certain aspects of cities can promote social connections. One of the examples presented concerns the configuration of downtown streets to encourage pedestrian use.

Grattan Institute

http://www.grattan.edu.au/publications/137_report_social_cities.pdf
Reference document
By : Stéphane Bernard - L'Observatoire

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United Kingdom -  New national planning policy to aid local authorities with sustainable development

The United Kingdom recently brought out a new national planning policy framework, to aid local authorities with respect to their local and neighbourhood plans. It discusses such aspects as economic development, transportation, information and communication technologies, housing, health, urban sprawl, the environment, historic conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Department for Communities and Local Government

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/211593...
Reference document
By : Stéphane Bernard - L'Observatoire

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Economic development

Finland -  Economic profile projects 1.5% increase in GDP

The Finnish Ministry of Finance recently published a profile of the country’s economy. It begins by providing an overview of Finland’s economic situation and then discusses national economic policy and the situation of public finance. It notes that according to projections, this year GDP should increase 1.5% and the unemployment rate should descend to 7.9%. The deficit should decrease slightly yet remain at more than 3% of GDP. The government plans on returning to a balanced budget by 2015.

Ministry of Finance

http://www.vm.fi/vm/en/04_publications_and_documents/01_publications/0...
Reference document
By : Marie-Helen Brisebois - L'Observatoire

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France -  Proposals for improving support for small and medium-sized enterprises

The present report concentrates on the issue of the financing of France’s small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A number of barriers have retarded the recovery of investment in this sector – in particular, the withdrawal of institutional actors from their financing role. Even though the government has implemented an aid mechanism on behalf of SMEs, the deterioration of government finance has prevented financial assistance from increasing. Three proposals for improving the situation are presented, under the headings of financing working capital, financing productive investment and financing long-term development.

Institut Montaigne
(in French only)

http://www.institutmontaigne.org/financement_des_entreprises_propositi...
http://www.institutmontaigne.org/medias/documents/rapport_financement_...
Reference document
By : Marie-Helen Brisebois - L'Observatoire

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Social policies

France -  A report on the recession, the labour market and poverty

The Observatoire national de la pauvreté et de l’exclusion sociale (National observatory on poverty and social exclusion) has published its 2011-12 annual report, in which it examines the effects of the current recession on work, employment and unemployment in France and Europe. Working from a set of 20 indicators covering a ten-year period, the Observatoire notes that despite recent measures to control exclusion, working poverty has been spreading rapidly. The result is that many people are deprived of basic rights (e.g., housing, healthcare, education and training).

Observatoire national de la pauvreté et de l’exclusion sociale
(in French only)

http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/var/storage/rapports-publics//1...
Reference document
By : Dave Bussières - L'Observatoire

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Sweden -  The national reform program, as part of the Europe 2020 strategy

Sweden’s national reform program for 2012 fits with the broader framework represented by the Europe 2020 strategy. Each member country of the European Union has committed to producing an annual report describing its efforts to achieve high, sustainable employment and the social integration of its citizens. Sweden’s 2012 program carries forward with the previous year’s program. It sets out five overall priorities, including promoting growth and competitiveness.

Prime Minister's Office

http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/19/12/48/4b88ea92.pdf
Reference document
By : Marie-Claude Jean - L'Observatoire

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Sustainable development

France -  Proposals for better managing offshore drilling

Oil development operations being risky, the present report investigates the preventive management of offshore drilling rigs. In particular, the authors examine how environmental risk factors are taken into account by the various actors involved in this type of project. They propose a number of measures to enhance the security of oil drilling, which will entail better organization of regulatory actions and greater participation on the part of citizens.

Conseil économique, social et environnemental
(in French only)

http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/rapports-publics/124000174-de-l...
http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/var/storage/rapports-publics/12...
Reference document
By : Marie-Helen Brisebois - L'Observatoire

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International -  A different perspective on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

This report attempts to identify and assess new means for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption through the use of energy service analysis (ESA). It describes ESA and explains how this approach differs from conventional approaches. The authors note that ESA provides a different perspective on energy consumption and thereby facilitates changing behaviours in a way conducive to reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions.

RAND Corporation

http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1170.html
By : Marie-Helen Brisebois - L'Observatoire

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International and intergovernmental relations

International -  Lessons from the post-Communist transition for the Arab countries

The recent revolutions in a number of Arab countries inevitably open up a debate about different approaches to the transition to democracy. According to the author, a number of lessons can be drawn from the post-Communist transition of the former eastern bloc countries. As well, he notes that while economic reforms can be facilitated by the introduction of democracy, a number of prior conditions must be met, including the establishment of a stable democratic regime founded on a parliamentary majority.

Centre for Social and Economic Research

http://www.case-research.eu/sites/default/files/publications/2012-09_D...
Reference document
By : Mathieu Carrier - L'Observatoire

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International -  A review of UN peacekeeping reforms of the last 20 years

Peacekeeping missions rank among the most important duties assumed by the United Nations, and with the end of the Cold War, a new chapter in the history of peacekeeping has opened. The number of such operations has increased substantially and they involve increasingly complex mandates. In order to grasp the effects of these recent changes, the author of the present article, Louise Fréchette, reviews the main reforms implemented during the last 20 years regarding peacekeeping policies and practices. In her opinion, real progress has been achieved in strengthening the UN machinery’s capacity to perform peacekeeping operations.

Center for International Governance Innovation

http://www.cigionline.org/sites/default/files/UN%20Peacekeeping_1.pdf
Reference document
By : Mathieu Carrier - L'Observatoire

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Sectoral policies

France -  An information report on cultural patronage

A standing committee of the French National Assembly studied the tax laws and arrangements that promote cultural patronage. In this report, it recommends facilitating the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular by raising the ceiling of contributions qualifying for tax breaks from 0.5% to 1% of turnover. The committee also proposes adopting measures to encourage Directions régionales des affaires culturelles (Regional directorates of cultural affairs) to become more actively involved in the promotion of patronage. Furthermore, it suggests developing a code of ethics pertaining to patronage.

National Assembly
(in French only)

http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/13/rap-info/i4358.asp
http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/13/pdf/rap-info/i4358.pdf
Reference document
By : Patrick Pollefeys - L'Observatoire

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