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- Title
- Pursuit of agency profits: An evaluation of community redevelopment agencies in Florida.
- Creator
- DeLaney, Kimberly D., Florida Atlantic University, Miller, Hugh T.
- Abstract/Description
-
The influence of public choice and economic theory in public administration has increased the pressure upon government to "act like a business." Accordingly, cities have become increasingly entrepreneurial, creating redevelopment agencies and venturing into public/private partnerships with mixed results. A key financial tool for redevelopment agencies is tax increment financing (TIF), which yields increased agency revenues from increased property values. As agency activities increase property...
Show moreThe influence of public choice and economic theory in public administration has increased the pressure upon government to "act like a business." Accordingly, cities have become increasingly entrepreneurial, creating redevelopment agencies and venturing into public/private partnerships with mixed results. A key financial tool for redevelopment agencies is tax increment financing (TIF), which yields increased agency revenues from increased property values. As agency activities increase property values, agencies are rewarded with increased revenues, much like profits for a business. The cyclical nature of TIF encourages a self-perpetuating tendency towards economic activities among self-interested, opportunistic agency actors, namely agency staff, elected officials, and business stakeholders who benefit from agency economic successes. Through a survey of Florida agencies and in-depth evaluation of five case studies, this research explores a series of questions regarding aspects of community redevelopment agencies: agency activities (either commercial or social), outcomes (agency TIF profits), and three theoretical constructs affecting the implementation environment (participation by business and non-business stakeholders and CRA structure as related to agency decision-making independence). The findings indicate that agencies conducting a predominance of commercial activities generated the highest rate of agency profits in the form of TIF revenues. In the implementation environment, the choice of agency activities was influenced by stakeholder participation. Agencies with mostly business stakeholder participation tended to conduct mostly economic activities, during both plan adoption and implementation. Conversely, agencies with predominantly non-business stakeholder participation, especially as a shift from business dominance, tended to prioritize social activities. Regular stakeholder participation, particularly by business interests, tended to increase as agency profits increased, underscoring the cyclical tendency towards economic activities. CRA structure varied among the cases. It appeared that more economic activities tended to occur when CRA structures were more autonomous, with a high degree of decision-making independence from parent local governments. However, while some agencies maintained high degrees of autonomy over time, autonomy was rescinded in others due to agency mishaps. Overall, economically-oriented goals in these agencies tended to win out over socially-oriented goals unless and until the under-represented "public" became unusually involved (revolts) or agencies were radically redirected by dissatisfied elected officials.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12118
- Subject Headings
- Urban renewal--Florida--Case studies, Community development, Urban--Florida, City planning--Florida, Tax increment financing--Florida, Urban policy--Economic aspects--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Physicians' perceptions of managed care.
- Creator
- Angeletti, Michelle A., Florida Atlantic University, Thai, Khi V.
- Abstract/Description
-
The active physician members of the Broward County Medical Association were sent a mail survey requesting information about their perceptions of and experiences with the managed care industry. Currently, as gatekeepers, physicians are the implement of the managed care system. From an organizational perspective, the role of implementer is a critical position and physicians are directly affected by and affect the operations of managed care as a healthcare delivery system. Even though managed...
Show moreThe active physician members of the Broward County Medical Association were sent a mail survey requesting information about their perceptions of and experiences with the managed care industry. Currently, as gatekeepers, physicians are the implement of the managed care system. From an organizational perspective, the role of implementer is a critical position and physicians are directly affected by and affect the operations of managed care as a healthcare delivery system. Even though managed care has the beneficial aspects of controlling healthcare costs and an emphasis on preventive care, it still appears that physicians perceive the managed care industry quite negatively. Because managed care does not appear to be a transitory phenomenon and is rapidly expanding in both the private and public sectors, it is important to identify the aspects of the managed care industry at are associated with the negative perceptions of physicians. The study focused on such topics as changes in the physician's level of satisfaction with both patients and practice that have been caused by managed care, the financial incentives used by MCOs to limit treatment and the ethical conflicts that these incentives can create for physicians, whether physicians need to participate in managed care to maintain their financial viability, the presence of gag clauses in physician contracts, the physician-patient relationship and how it is affected by the managed care environment, patient continuity of care, whether managed care should be regulated by the government, whether physicians have been penalized by or involuntarily disenrolled from MCOs, and whether physicians played by managed care rules or "game the system" or bent managed care rules to improve patient outcomes. This study also reviewed the professional and demographic variables that may influence differences between perceptions and experiences. The results indicate that there are few between group differences based on gender, practice location and years in practice. There are more differences based on race, type of practice, type of medical training, location of medical training, and percentage of practice income based on managed tare contracts. There appear to be many significant between group differences based on percentage of patients in managed care and number of managed care affiliations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1999
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12595
- Subject Headings
- Physicians--Attitudes, Managed care plans (Medical care)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Policymaking on violence against women in the United States: A multi-theoretical perspective on the terrorization of women.
- Creator
- Meyer-Emerick, Nancy, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study of policymaking on violence against women in the United States was to examine beliefs about the causes of violence against women through alternative theoretical lenses in order to compare competing theories of problem definition. An initial multidisciplinary review of the roots of the problem indicated that public policy on violence against women, specifically the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994, was limited in its response. The primary components of VAWA...
Show moreThe purpose of this study of policymaking on violence against women in the United States was to examine beliefs about the causes of violence against women through alternative theoretical lenses in order to compare competing theories of problem definition. An initial multidisciplinary review of the roots of the problem indicated that public policy on violence against women, specifically the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 1994, was limited in its response. The primary components of VAWA were to further criminalize violent physical abuse and educate law enforcement and the courts to address violence after it had occurred. The application of three competing theoretical perspectives on socio-cultural beliefs about sexuality, the limits of government, and sexual violence as a means of maintaining male domination yielded new information about the nature of the problem. With this information, interviews were conducted with the federal policymakers who drafted VAWA, local practitioners in programs pertaining to violence against women, and focus groups with citizens, survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence. This dialogue provided a check on the researcher's biases and unique perceptions on sexuality, intimate violence and the role of government. A written questionnaire using pertinent questions from the 1992 National Election Studies was used to determine whether the opinions of the focus groups were representative of national opinion on these issues. The research confirmed the working hypothesis that VAWA was limited due to the socio-cultural nature of the problem. The participants identified some common misperceptions about intimate violence. The research also revealed a difference between men's and women's trust of government. The participants' testimony moderately supported the proposal that male dominance is preserved through sexual violence. The study implies that policymaking on violence against women must address the roots of the problem in the socio-cultural system where people obtain their beliefs. This may not be possible through government policy because the state is limited in its ability to change that system.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1998
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12560
- Subject Headings
- Women--Crimes against--United States, Policy sciences, Women--Legal status, laws, etc --United States, Abused women--United States
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Policy of Abuse: A Framework of Public Policy Dimensions Analyzing Systematic Sexual Violence in Bosnia.
- Creator
- Chary, Meena, Patterson, Patricia M., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
This dissertation asserts that systematic sexual violence was used as public policy by the Serbian government in Bosnia during the conflict of 1992-1995 to effect ethnic cleansing and genocide. Systematic sexual violence must be recognized as public policy in order for the global community to advance appropriate recommendations regarding the levels at which (in addition to individuals) institutions, organizations and particularly governments should be held accountable. Further, when...
Show moreThis dissertation asserts that systematic sexual violence was used as public policy by the Serbian government in Bosnia during the conflict of 1992-1995 to effect ethnic cleansing and genocide. Systematic sexual violence must be recognized as public policy in order for the global community to advance appropriate recommendations regarding the levels at which (in addition to individuals) institutions, organizations and particularly governments should be held accountable. Further, when govenm1ents not only fail in their responsibility to protect citizens but actually commit crimes against citizens, survivors are betrayed by the very institutions to which they look for protection. Public policy is indelibly linked to the actions of governments. Recognizing systematic sexual violence as public policy acknowledges the seriousness of that betrayal and is imperative to foster both personal and social healing. First, the dissertation develops a framework of policy dimensions consisting of the concepts of government initiation, public interest, actors and institutions, intent and goals, complicity and sanction, instruments and tools, and targets. Then, case study methodology is used to investigate records documenting the case of systematic sexual violence in Bosnia. By comparing the results of those investigations to the policy framework, the dissertation concludes that in Bosnia in the 1990s, systematic sexual violence was used as public policy. Sexual violence was systematically perpetrated on a mass scale by government-sanctioned agents, and administered using governmental organizational mechanisms. By discussing what has happened and is happening, to whom, and how, we can understand that systematic sexual violence is being used as a policy, how such a policy may be implemented and what its goals may be. We can also acknowledge the policy goals-- such as ethnic nationalism, genocide and ethnic cleansing-- associated with this policy of abuse and view systematic sexual violence as a critical part of overall concerted strategies to effect those policy goals.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000605
- Subject Headings
- Sex crimes--Bosnia and Herzegovina, Women--Crimes against--Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslav War, 1991-1995--Atrocities, Bosnia and Herzegovina--Social policy
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Privatization as an administrative reform: The case of Bangladesh.
- Creator
- Islam, Md. Rafiqul, Florida Atlantic University, Farazmand, Ali
- Abstract/Description
-
Privatization has been a major policy and administrative reform all over the world for the last twenty-five years. Public bureaucracy is one of the first institutions of government to be affected by privatization as a reform. The major purpose of this dissertation was to examine the perception of the civil servants of Bangladesh towards privatization with respect to national development. In order to examine the perception of Bangladeshi civil servants, this dissertation has examined the...
Show morePrivatization has been a major policy and administrative reform all over the world for the last twenty-five years. Public bureaucracy is one of the first institutions of government to be affected by privatization as a reform. The major purpose of this dissertation was to examine the perception of the civil servants of Bangladesh towards privatization with respect to national development. In order to examine the perception of Bangladeshi civil servants, this dissertation has examined the answers to the question: "What are the perceptions of civil servants in Bangladesh towards privatization with respect to national development?" It has also examined the differences in the perceptions of different levels of civil servants with respect to national development. To examine the perceptions of the civil servants data were collected from 120 civil servants of six ministries in Bangladesh through a survey instrument and personal interviews. The methodologies used in this dissertation were interviews and case studies. The 120 civil servants were randomly selected from six ministries and/or attached departments or subordinate offices; they were interviewed to collect data for examining their perceptions towards privatization with respect to national development. Using government documents and examining some cases, this study also examined the earlier success and failure of privatization programs in Bangladesh with respect to national development as a means to explain the perception of civil servants of Bangladesh. This dissertation has developed propositions about the perception of civil servants of Bangladesh towards privatization with respect to national development. Analysis of data reveals that the civil servants of Bangladesh have positive perceptions towards privatization with respect to national development. The study also reveals that there is no significant difference in the perceptions of different levels of civil servants of Bangladesh towards privatization with respect to national development. The dissertation study reveals that the majority of the civil servants in Bangladesh believe that privatization programs will positively affect economic, social, political and administrative development in Bangladesh. Findings of the study also reveal that the civil servants of Bangladesh believe that privatization program will increase accountability, skills, service delivery and performance of employees, which help promote national development. The study, moreover, shows that although the civil servants of Bangladesh have positive perception towards privatization with respect to national development, many of them are also doubtful about the implementation of privatization programs in Bangladesh. However, the case studies indicate that privatization programs in Bangladesh have mixed results. Findings of this dissertation study will enrich the literature on privatization, bureaucracy and development. Contribution to the theory of bureaucracy and reform is also significant in that bureaucracy tends to survive no matter what reform takes place, as long as there is a need to implement, oversee, and follow up on reforms. This study has significant implications for understanding the perceptions of civil servants towards privatization with respect to national development of not only third world countries, but also of developed nations. Privatization is viewed as a form of change, which is embraced as a positive reform effort toward national development. Students, academics and practitioners of economics, public administration and business studies as well as business entrepreneurs will also benefit from the findings of the study in understanding the perceptions of civil servants of third world countries towards the effects of privatization in development. This study has significant contribution not only to literature on administrative change, but also to literature on bureaucracy and development. It rejects the conventional negative perception about the role of bureaucracy in privatization. The study shows that civil servants or civil bureaucrats in Bangladesh are generally not inimical to privatization but they are in favor of privatization for national development as they believe that privatization of public enterprises positively affects national development-economically, socially, politically and administratively. Finally, this dissertation study will enhance knowledge in the area of privatization, bureaucracy and national development as the findings of the study provide new knowledge for explaining the changing perception of bureaucracy toward privatization with respect to national development. In spite of these important findings, one limitation of the study must also be noted, and that is, it only focused on 120 civil servants of the bureaucracy, and that it did not include employees of public enterprises subject to privatization. This shortcoming of the study could serve as a subject for future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12198
- Subject Headings
- Privatization--Developing countries, Bangladesh--Economic policy--21st century, Industrial policy--Developing countries, Infrastructure (Economics)--Bangladesh, Developing countries--Economic conditions, Administrative agencies--Bangladish--Reorganization
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Representative bureaucracy: Active representation in a juvenile justice context.
- Creator
- Day, Susan Elaine, Florida Atlantic University, Washington, Charles W.
- Abstract/Description
-
Representative bureaucracy is one way to reconcile the need for administrative efficiency with the normative requirements of democracy. In theory, a representative bureaucracy is an organizational structure that permits decision-makers to act more quickly and more flexibly than an elected body. A representative bureaucracy is comprised of an employee composition that is more representation of the general public, at least in demographic terms, than legislative bodies. This research tests a...
Show moreRepresentative bureaucracy is one way to reconcile the need for administrative efficiency with the normative requirements of democracy. In theory, a representative bureaucracy is an organizational structure that permits decision-makers to act more quickly and more flexibly than an elected body. A representative bureaucracy is comprised of an employee composition that is more representation of the general public, at least in demographic terms, than legislative bodies. This research tests a number of hypotheses concerning the impact of individual attributes of delinquency case managers and of the organizational context in which they work on their intake recommendations to the office of the state attorney.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1996
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12455
- Subject Headings
- Representative government and representation--United States, Bureaucracy, Juvenile justice, Administration of--United States, Minorities--Employment--United States, Discrimination in criminal justice administration--United States
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Outlining a theory about the practical use of theory: A discourse-practice theoretic analysis of academic public administration symposia genre.
- Creator
- Jaja, Cheedy, Florida Atlantic University, Miller, Hugh T.
- Abstract/Description
-
Academic public administration (APA) supposedly provides theoretic and programmatic guidance for bureaucratic public administration (BPA). But in reality, a relationship best characterized as a gap between "theory" (APA) and "practice" (BPA) is deemed to exist between the two social practices. Scholars who have analyzed APA theoretic literature ascribed the theory-practice problematic to methodological inadequacies, the implication being that investment in appropriate social science methods...
Show moreAcademic public administration (APA) supposedly provides theoretic and programmatic guidance for bureaucratic public administration (BPA). But in reality, a relationship best characterized as a gap between "theory" (APA) and "practice" (BPA) is deemed to exist between the two social practices. Scholars who have analyzed APA theoretic literature ascribed the theory-practice problematic to methodological inadequacies, the implication being that investment in appropriate social science methods would enhance the intellectual rigor and social utility of APA discursive works. To provide a much richer perspective on the theory-practice problematic, this study conceptualizes theoretic discourses as social actions. When scholars theorize, they invariably want to get things done, thus they are involved in social actions linked to some purposes, interests, and issues. As individuals with disciplinary affiliations and commitments, APA scholars bring purposes and interests to their work. So, what kinds of purposes underpin APA theoretic works? Since actions are meaningful within social practices, a corollary question is: What disciplinary influences constrain or authorize APA discourse, and why? To answer the questions posed: first, a discourse analytic method is utilized to analyze textual cohorts (i.e., authorial intentions, issues, themes, genre forms, and methods) in symposia articles published in five mainstream APA journals over a fifteen-year period. Second, a conceptual framework for understanding the disciplinary conditions authorizing and restricting theoretic discourse is outlined using the parameters of practice theory. Discourse analysis and practice theory are complimentary methodological and analytic tools. Discourse analysis focuses on discourse systems, whereas practice theory seeks to explain the relationships that obtain between human actions and social systems. In other words, discourse-practice approach focuses on the individuals' choices of discursive activities and explains how these choices are shaped by the social practices within which the discursive activities unfold. Using insights from practice theory, a speculative perspective relating the failure to reconfigure the discipline's telos in light of changed objective conditions is offered as the basis for the theory-practice problematic in academic public administration.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11970
- Subject Headings
- Public administration, Policy sciences, Discourse analysis, Critical theory
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An assessment of the organizational effectiveness of faith-based and secular community development corporations in the provision of economic development and other services.
- Creator
- Yacinthe, Natacha Jasmine, Florida Atlantic University, Washington, Charles W.
- Abstract/Description
-
This dissertation develops an approach and a model for assessing the effectiveness of faith-based and secular community development corporations (CDCs) in the provision of economic development and other services. This dissertation contends that faith-based and secular CDCs are essentially comparable entities whose characteristics and functions are virtually indistinguishable, thus to speak of organizational effectiveness of CDCs is sufficient to encompass both faith-based and secular CDCs....
Show moreThis dissertation develops an approach and a model for assessing the effectiveness of faith-based and secular community development corporations (CDCs) in the provision of economic development and other services. This dissertation contends that faith-based and secular CDCs are essentially comparable entities whose characteristics and functions are virtually indistinguishable, thus to speak of organizational effectiveness of CDCs is sufficient to encompass both faith-based and secular CDCs. The study uses an empirical approach, directed by the literature, to discover the characteristics and functions of faith-based and secular CDCs, the extent to which they are involved in economic development activities, and to determine the key factors that are presumed to contribute to their effectiveness. A regression model is developed employing variables and data resulting from a survey of CDCs in the South Florida area to predict and explain the variance in the subjective rating of the perception of organizational effectiveness by executive directors and managers of CDCs in the study population. The study tests a number of hypotheses that are designed to explain the influence of certain variables on organizational effectiveness and discovers a number of factors that are statistically significant in influencing perceived effectiveness. It proposes future areas of research that build upon the current research and may lead to even better understanding of the factors influencing organizational effectiveness of CDCs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12106
- Subject Headings
- Human Services--Contracting Out--United States, Church Charities--Government Policy--United States, Federal Aid to Human Services--United States, Church and State--United States, Community Development--United States, Economic Development Projects--United States
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An empirical study of farm workers in South Florida: Environmental injustice in the fields?.
- Creator
- Murphy, Martha Celeste, Florida Atlantic University, Leip, Leslie A.
- Abstract/Description
-
A Social Distance Model was developed for this dissertation to illustrate the marginalization of the migrant farm workers in South Florida. The social distance indicators used in the Social Distance Model are: (1) income level, (2) education level, (3) use of the dominant language, (4) property ownership, (5) laws and legal rights, and (6) race and ethnicity. These indicators demonstrate the marginalization of farm workers. This marginalization results in the creation of an occupational...
Show moreA Social Distance Model was developed for this dissertation to illustrate the marginalization of the migrant farm workers in South Florida. The social distance indicators used in the Social Distance Model are: (1) income level, (2) education level, (3) use of the dominant language, (4) property ownership, (5) laws and legal rights, and (6) race and ethnicity. These indicators demonstrate the marginalization of farm workers. This marginalization results in the creation of an occupational subgroup vulnerable to pesticide exposure, lack of protection under the law, and health problems. The four research questions which are used to illustrate this theoretical model are: (1) do the demographics of the sample population represent a marginalized subculture vulnerable to exposure to environmental hazards? (2) is there a relationship between working in the fields in two South Florida counties and exposure to pesticides? (3) are the current federal and Florida laws which protect farm workers from exposure to pesticides being properly implemented? and (4) is there a relationship between the health of farm workers in two South Florida counties and their exposure to pesticides? A survey about pesticide exposure, health problems and laws and legal rights was used to gather data about farm workers in two South Florida counties. A face-to-face, closed and open-ended survey was conducted with farm workers at several migrant farm worker day care centers in Palm Beach and Indian River County, Florida. The results of the dissertation reveal that: the negative outcomes of the Social Distance Model, which are poverty, alienation, lack of skills, economic exploitation, lack of use of the dominant language, lack of information on laws and legal rights, and few choices and alternatives for employment and housing, provide an explanation for the farm workers' marginalization. As a result of their marginalization, farm workers are an occupational group vulnerable to pesticide exposure. Another finding of the study is that federal and state laws which are currently in place to protect the workers from pesticide exposure do not adequately protect the workers from exposure to harmful pesticides and farm workers are uninformed of the laws which exist to protect them from possible pesticide exposure. Several of the health problems farm workers noted match the symptoms of moderate and mild pesticide poisoning. The results of the study demonstrate that the farm workers are disadvantaged because the majority of the farm workers: earn a yearly wage that puts them below the poverty line, do not speak English, have a minimal education level, and are uninformed about the current laws pertaining to pesticide exposure. The combination of these findings leads this researcher to the conclusion that the migrant farm workers interviewed for this study are a vulnerable subgroup of the American population, at serious risk of exposure to environmental hazards. The study concludes with policy recommendations for Florida state officials and the federal government to change and better enforce the current laws pertaining to farm workers. These changes will help the implementation and enforcement of the current laws designed to protect farm workers from pesticide exposure. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Show less - Date Issued
- 1997
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12513
- Subject Headings
- Agricultural laborers--Florida, Environmental justice, Agricultural laborers--Health and hygiene--Law and legislation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An exploratory study of victim participation in the justice systems of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad/Tobago.
- Creator
- Eastep, Mary Ann., Florida Atlantic University, Leip, Leslie A.
- Abstract/Description
-
This study examines the nature and extent of victim participation in the criminal justice systems in the three Caribbean nations of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Through visits to the three island nations, observations were made; interviews were conducted with justice practitioners, including police officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys and victim advocates; conversations were held with citizens and several crime victims; observations of court proceedings were conducted; and...
Show moreThis study examines the nature and extent of victim participation in the criminal justice systems in the three Caribbean nations of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Through visits to the three island nations, observations were made; interviews were conducted with justice practitioners, including police officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys and victim advocates; conversations were held with citizens and several crime victims; observations of court proceedings were conducted; and documents were studied. Victim participation was considered in the context of the culture and within the theoretical framework of institutionalism and organized anarchies. Institutions were seen as both constraining forces with respect to victim participation and emerging entities as regards victim participation. Justice practitioners' perceptions of participation often matched and often varied from actual systems of participation that exist. In addition, there were instances wherein practitioners who had considerable contact with victims (police officers, prosecutors) had very little knowledge about victims' rights and/or the status of victim policy. Victims of crime in Jamaica have more services available to them than do victims in the other two nations, as there is a government network of victim service agencies in place there. Participation in the actual trial process is similar in each of the nations studied.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2003
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12034
- Subject Headings
- Criminal justice, Administration of--Barbados, Criminal justice, Administration of--Jamaica, Criminal justice, Administration of--Trinidad and Tobago, Victims of crimes--Caribbean Area
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The impact of electronic commerce (e-commerce) on sales tax revenue.
- Creator
- Pinkowski, Jack., Florida Atlantic University, Farazmand, Ali
- Abstract/Description
-
This study deals with the impact of electronic commerce (e-commerce) on sales tax revenues in Florida. It uses econometric modeling to forecast taxable retail sales and compares two models. Based on the separation of consumer sales (durables and nondurables) from total taxable sales, changes associated with sales suitable for electronic commerce are scrutinized. Results show that only the model that focuses on consumer sales, not the model for total sales, documents a substantial difference...
Show moreThis study deals with the impact of electronic commerce (e-commerce) on sales tax revenues in Florida. It uses econometric modeling to forecast taxable retail sales and compares two models. Based on the separation of consumer sales (durables and nondurables) from total taxable sales, changes associated with sales suitable for electronic commerce are scrutinized. Results show that only the model that focuses on consumer sales, not the model for total sales, documents a substantial difference in forecast reliability. Forecasts for 1995--1999, the period of inception of electronic commerce, are compared to forecasts for 1989--1994. The errors in forecast increased three-fold both in terms of mean percentage error (M.P.E.) and mean absolute percentage error (M.A.P.E.). Forecasts for total taxable consumer sales and total taxable sales for 1995--1999 are based on data from 1964--1994. They are accurate to .2% in terms of M.P.E. during the 31 years before electronic commerce but declined to -13.7% during the e-commerce period. Modifications in the forecast model to include e-commerce variables are set forth. Potential variables for electronic commerce relate to growth in the Internet, high-tech jobs, Internet domain name registrations, college graduates, high-income households, residents 30--49, and metropolitan population. These trends are found to closely correlate with growth in the error of the sales forecast for 1995--1999 based on the earlier model. The impacts of electronic commerce on government revenues include equitable access to the Internet, inter-jurisdictional competition, fiscal disparities, public choice, globalization, proposals for a national sales tax, value added tax (VAT), use taxes, taxability of services, and the moratorium on Internet taxation. Legal issues regarding interstate commerce are included. The implications for government finance are summarized in the conclusions. A new theoretical concept, the "dual dilemma," is proposed. This is the paradox wherein the obligation of providing adequate fiscal resources, which fund programs with an equitable tax burden, is pitted against competing economic concerns. E-commerce challenges both sides. Economic development and tax expenditures policy forgo revenue to promote growth but may threaten fiscal health. The lack of favorable tax treatment may stifle growth and innovation but such policy may result in unfair competition.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12660
- Subject Headings
- Electronic commerce, Use tax, Sales forecasting--Econometric models
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The impact of the budget deficit on key macroeconomic variables in the major industrial countries.
- Creator
- Al-Khedair, Saleh Ibrahim, Florida Atlantic University, Thai, Khi V.
- Abstract/Description
-
This study was conducted to analyze the impact of the budget deficit on key macroeconomic variables in the seven major industrial countries (G-7): Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Four models were developed to test the impact of the budget deficit on the variables of importance within the economies of the countries in question. The first model tested the relationship between the budget deficit and the short-term interest rate. The second...
Show moreThis study was conducted to analyze the impact of the budget deficit on key macroeconomic variables in the seven major industrial countries (G-7): Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Four models were developed to test the impact of the budget deficit on the variables of importance within the economies of the countries in question. The first model tested the relationship between the budget deficit and the short-term interest rate. The second explored the impact of the budget deficit on the long-term interest rate. The third model examined the impact of the budget deficit on the trade balance. The fourth and final model was specified to explain the relationship between the budget deficit and economic growth. The data utilized in this study covered the period from 1964 to 1993 and were gathered mainly from the international statistics of the International Monetary Fund. The data were standardized in the form of the percentage of the gross domestic product and the percentage change over the previous year in order to compile similar data across the seven countries. Multiple regression analysis as well as meta analysis were used to analyze the data. The multiple regression results indicated that the budget deficit leads to higher short-term interest rates in Japan and the United States. With respect to the long term-interest rate, the budget deficit led to an increase of this rate in France, Germany, and the United States. The budget deficit, however, appeared to worsen the trade balance in Canada. In Italy and the U.S., the trade balance improved with the budget deficit. With respect to the economic growth, the budget deficit is a significant variable of growth in France, Germany, and Italy. When the data for the seven countries were combined in meta analysis, the results showed that the budget deficit led to higher short-term interest rates in the seven countries. The budget deficit, however, did not manifest any impact on the long-term interest rates. The trade balance was worsened by the budget deficit and the economic growth improved in all the seven major industrial countries.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1996
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12466
- Subject Headings
- Debts, Public, Budget deficits, Fiscal policy, International economic relations
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An investigation of the availability, distribution, and usability of the comprehensive annual financial reports of United States cities.
- Creator
- Hall, Douglas Roger, Jr., Florida Atlantic University, Washington, Charles W.
- Abstract/Description
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Accountability is the cornerstone of democracy. Fiscal accountability is particularly important to an electorate. The system of fiscal accountability developed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board is too complex and technical for the public, being beyond all but specially trained accountants and finance professionals. This dissertation investigates how the audited annual financial reports of U.S. cities are distributed and understood. The problem of governmental accounting...
Show moreAccountability is the cornerstone of democracy. Fiscal accountability is particularly important to an electorate. The system of fiscal accountability developed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board is too complex and technical for the public, being beyond all but specially trained accountants and finance professionals. This dissertation investigates how the audited annual financial reports of U.S. cities are distributed and understood. The problem of governmental accounting complexity is treated as one of systemic nature due to the needs of a broad range of users and the wide range of uses for information contained in the audited annual financial reports. The study population is over 500 U.S. cities. The study methodology has three parts: a descriptive analysis of sample documents; a survey of finance directors requesting information about distribution of the reports, their perceptions on usability of the audited annual financial reports, and their opinions about the evolution of governmental accounting theory and practice. The third part of the study identified a cluster group sample of the general public who volunteered to complete a written survey and participate in a practical usability test with actual comprehensive annual financial report documents. The study concluded that there has been little or no marketing of the audited annual financial reports, actual distribution is exceedingly sparse, and that the general public has limited knowledge of the existence or availability of the document or the ability to make use of the comprehensive annual financial reports in their present form. Recommendations are made to release the audited annual reports in less time, free of charge, with wide distribution. The CAFR model needs to be simplified, organized better, and common language used. GASB, the Government Finance Officers Association, public administrators, and government finance professionals must accept the need to educate the public. Public administrators need to assert themselves when governmental accounting and financial reporting changes are contemplated.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11969
- Subject Headings
- Financial Accounting Foundation --Governmental Accounting Standards Board, Municipal finance--United States--Accounting, Local finance--Accounting--Standards--United States, Cities and towns--United States
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The interrelationships of organizational commitment, trust and participatory decision-making practices in public organizations.
- Creator
- Nyhan, Ronald C., Florida Atlantic University, Martin, Lawrence L.
- Abstract/Description
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This research study seeks to link empirically organizational commitment, trust and participatory decision making (PDM) practices and test their interrelationships. The research uses the Meyer & Allen (1984) Affective Commitment and Continuance Commitment Scale (ACCS) to measure organizational commitment and develops new scales to measure trust and PDM practices. The study hypothesizes multidimensional components for organizational commitment and trust; statistically significant associations...
Show moreThis research study seeks to link empirically organizational commitment, trust and participatory decision making (PDM) practices and test their interrelationships. The research uses the Meyer & Allen (1984) Affective Commitment and Continuance Commitment Scale (ACCS) to measure organizational commitment and develops new scales to measure trust and PDM practices. The study hypothesizes multidimensional components for organizational commitment and trust; statistically significant associations among organizational commitment, trust and PDM practices; and trust as a preceding and intervening variable between PDM practices and organizational commitment. The research uses Pearson correlations, exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses. The research results support the multidimensionality of organizational commitment and trust; interrelationships among organizational commitment, trust and PDM practices; and the temporal role of trust. However, the research results do not support trust as an intervening variable between PDM practices and organizational commitment. The study concludes with opportunities for future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1994
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12387
- Subject Headings
- Management--Employee participation, Organizational effectiveness, Interpersonal relations, Industrial relations
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The effects of socioeconomic, political, and organizational factors on the implementation of community policing: A conceptual framework for an innovative policy.
- Creator
- Anderson, Terry Anne, Florida Atlantic University, Ben-Zadok, Efraim
- Abstract/Description
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Community policing has emerged as the philosophical foundation for a new paradigm in American policing calling for police and community residents to work jointly in identifying and solving neighborhood problems. As an example of an innovative public policy, community policing implementation may be affected by a number of factors. This dissertation synthesized what is known about innovation in public policy and community policing. It examined how certain socioeconomic, political, and...
Show moreCommunity policing has emerged as the philosophical foundation for a new paradigm in American policing calling for police and community residents to work jointly in identifying and solving neighborhood problems. As an example of an innovative public policy, community policing implementation may be affected by a number of factors. This dissertation synthesized what is known about innovation in public policy and community policing. It examined how certain socioeconomic, political, and organizational factors affect and predict innovativeness in policy formulation and explored their effects on its implementation. It has implications for law enforcement agencies that have already adopted community policing and may serve as a resource to those deciding whether to begin implementation. Data reflecting the structure and organization of police departments, the nature and extent of local community policing implementation, citizen response to police activities, socioeconomic characteristics of the service area, and the local political environment were collected from 151 police departments across the United States and the local governments representing their jurisdictions. Results of the correlational, regression, and cross-tabulation analyses showed that among the socioeconomic variables, race emerged as the most interesting in relation to community policing implementation. Specifically, as the proportion of white residents increased, implementation decreased. Conversely, as the proportion of black residents increased, implementation also increased. Political variables had little relation to community policing implementation. Organizational factors made the greatest contribution to community policing processes. Reducing the ratio of administrative to patrol personnel, increasing the ratio of line to staff, making personnel more generalist than specialist, and having adequate policies and procedures to insure accountability all had a positive effect on community policing implementation. The study concluded that because the three categories of factors are so interwoven in producing innovation, the power of any of them to predict where and to what degree innovative policies will be implemented was limited. Overall, despite the fact that community policing as an innovative policy deviated in some areas, it was largely consistent with established innovation theory.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1997
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12498
- Subject Headings
- Community policing--United States, Law enforcement--United States, Community policing--United States--Planning
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A conceptual model of the emergence of shared leadership: The effects of organizational structure, culture, and context variables on public employee perceptions of leadership.
- Creator
- Choi, Sanghan, Florida Atlantic University, Patterson, Patricia M.
- Abstract/Description
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This study rejects the hierarchical perspective of traditional leadership approaches in public administration. The hierarchical perspective tends to treat public managers at the top as leaders, public employees at the bottom as followers, and leadership as management. This study proposes shared leadership as an alternative to traditional leadership approaches. In theory, shared leadership is not about a hierarchical position but about a mutually shared process that occurs throughout public...
Show moreThis study rejects the hierarchical perspective of traditional leadership approaches in public administration. The hierarchical perspective tends to treat public managers at the top as leaders, public employees at the bottom as followers, and leadership as management. This study proposes shared leadership as an alternative to traditional leadership approaches. In theory, shared leadership is not about a hierarchical position but about a mutually shared process that occurs throughout public organizations. The literature has made assertions that shared leadership emerges from horizontal organizations, adaptable cultures, and turbulent environments. However, little research has been conducted to test the effects of these organizational dimension variables on shared leadership in either the public or private sector. This study is a first step to examine the multiple relationships among organizational structure, culture, and context and shared leadership. It is also a first attempt to measure the concept of shared leadership. This study presents case-based empirical research. The study collects data from public employees across the bottom and the top of Broward County government in Florida because the study asserts that every public employee, regardless of hierarchical position, can be a public leader and display leadership. The data was collected using a mail survey of 261 public employees in the county government. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the conceptual model developed in this study. The model consists of five hypothesized positive relationships (hierarchy of position, functional specialization, supportive culture, technology, and organizational crisis), five hypothesized negative relationships (hierarchy of authority, centralization, bureaucratic and innovative cultures, and organizational size), and one positive or negative control variable (gender) with shared leadership. The results show that organizational crisis, technology, innovative culture, and hierarchy of position variables are significantly and positively associated with shared leadership. Public employees' perceptions of shared leadership are partially explainable from organizational structure, culture, and context factors. Indicating that shared leadership occurs in the perceptions of street-level public employees, this study implies that the horizontal and hierarchical perspectives on leadership coexist in bureaucratic organizations. This study concludes that every public employee displays leadership and is a public leader.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12228
- Subject Headings
- Leadership, Teams in the workplace, Psychology, Industrial, Social perception, Organizational change
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The function of leadership styles and personality types among city managers: An analysis of "fit" and tenure.
- Creator
- Hanbury, George Lafayette, II, Florida Atlantic University, Washington, Charles W.
- Abstract/Description
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This dissertation investigated the problem of short-term tenure of city managers as an indicator of the appropriate "fit" between the personality types and leadership styles of city managers and the city councils they serve. Moving from theory to practice in public administration, this research presents findings, not offered to date, based on a rigorous, nation-wide study of city managers. The study focuses on years of service - tenure of city managers as a function of the city managers'...
Show moreThis dissertation investigated the problem of short-term tenure of city managers as an indicator of the appropriate "fit" between the personality types and leadership styles of city managers and the city councils they serve. Moving from theory to practice in public administration, this research presents findings, not offered to date, based on a rigorous, nation-wide study of city managers. The study focuses on years of service - tenure of city managers as a function of the city managers' personality types, leadership styles, and perceptions of support from their city councils. Results of the study were generated through an analysis of data collected in a national survey of city managers, endorsed by the Executive Director of the International City/County Management Association (ICA), using three self-administered instruments: a general demographic city manager questionnaire, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator(RTM)-Form G (MBTI(RTM) Form G), and the Leader Behavior Analysis II(RTM)-Self (LBAII(RTM)-Self). A theoretical model, "Fit," was created and tested, and the variable relations were found to be statistically significant. The findings revealed that "Fit," measured as years of service - tenure, is a function of the manager's leadership effectiveness and personality compatibility with the orientation and expectations of the city council as indicated by the annual performance evaluation. The findings were tested through predicted values and were confirmed through three case studies of city managers, with long tenure, and their city councils in small, medium, and large cities. Independent variables found to significantly affect, positively or adversely, the dependent variable, years of service - tenure, were: leadership effectiveness scores; personality type dimensions, Introverted (I) and Perceiving (P); and city council perceptions measured by city-council-conducted performance evaluations of the city manager. Other statistically significant independent variables include: experience of the city manager; total number of cities the city manager has served; the manager's age and race; and demographic information of the city in which the city manager serves, such as median household income, cities with a predominant white population, and the percentage of population not born in the United States of America. The "Fit" Model provides a meaningful tool for present and future city managers to become conscious of their respective personality type and dominant leadership style in relationship to the culturally heterogeneous cities they lead and manage. Armed with such awareness, city managers can be empowered with the knowledge of whether they are "appropriately fitted" with the city councils and the citizens they serve.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11620
- Subject Headings
- City managers--Psychological aspects, Leadership
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Medicaid incentive reimbursement programs in long-term care: An evaluation of the Florida Medicaid AIDS nursing home admission program.
- Creator
- Cruise, Peter L., Florida Atlantic University, Clare, Donald A.
- Abstract/Description
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This study evaluated the Florida Medicaid Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) nursing home admission incentive program using goal attainment and constituency satisfaction criteria. The program provides additional reimbursement to nursing homes which admit Medicaid-covered persons with AIDS (PWAs). Goal attainment, i.e., increasing the rate of PWA admissions, was assessed using ICD-9-CM coded (for AIDS) Medicaid-covered hospital discharges to nursing homes as a surrogate nursing home...
Show moreThis study evaluated the Florida Medicaid Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) nursing home admission incentive program using goal attainment and constituency satisfaction criteria. The program provides additional reimbursement to nursing homes which admit Medicaid-covered persons with AIDS (PWAs). Goal attainment, i.e., increasing the rate of PWA admissions, was assessed using ICD-9-CM coded (for AIDS) Medicaid-covered hospital discharges to nursing homes as a surrogate nursing home admission measure. To assess satisfaction, both program constituencies--hospitals (N = 120) which place and nursing homes (N = 308) which agree to admit PWAs--were surveyed in 10 counties. For both constituencies, the surveys were designed to measure satisfaction along two dimensions: (1) the degree of satisfaction with the Florida program, and (2) the level of agreement with the general concept of incentive reimbursement. For nursing homes, the survey also measured: institutional characteristics, financial characteristics, and medical and technological issues. The goal attainment results revealed that the PWA admission rate showed no meaningful change over the five years studied. The constituency satisfaction results revealed that both constituencies were moderately satisfied with the Florida program and incentive programs generally, but that such satisfaction was not related to the number of PWAs admitted to nursing homes. Nursing home institutional characteristics and medical issues were not related to the number of PWAs admitted, but financial characteristics and technological issues were significantly (but negatively) related. The following policy implications were drawn. Although the Florida program did not meet its goal, both constituencies were satisfied with the program and incentives generally, leaving open the possibility for program modification. The previously unconfirmed concern that nursing homes fear intergenerational problems if PWAs were to be admitted was supported by the findings, but nursing home assertions that their lack of appropriate technology restricts PWA admissions were not.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1995
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12397
- Subject Headings
- Nursing homes--Florida--Cost control, Medicaid--Florida, AIDS (Disease)--Patients--Services for--Florida--Cost effectiveness, AIDS (Disease)--Patients--Long-term care--Florida--Cost effectiveness
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Measuring performance in the public sector: An examination of benchmarking paramedic response times.
- Creator
- Moeller, Bruce J., Florida Atlantic University, Nyhan, Ronald C., Clare, Donald A.
- Abstract/Description
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Measuring performance in the public sector has been a topic of heightened concern during the past decade. While enthusiasm remains high for its use, performance measurement has also been subject to increasing scrutiny. In this research, problems with definitional ambiguity and concerns of conscious errors in the reporting of performance are theorized to limit the usefulness of performance measurement and benchmarking. The research examined the use of "response time" as a key benchmark in the...
Show moreMeasuring performance in the public sector has been a topic of heightened concern during the past decade. While enthusiasm remains high for its use, performance measurement has also been subject to increasing scrutiny. In this research, problems with definitional ambiguity and concerns of conscious errors in the reporting of performance are theorized to limit the usefulness of performance measurement and benchmarking. The research examined the use of "response time" as a key benchmark in the delivery of paramedic services in the State of Florida. The research used both quantitative analysis based on survey response data from 120 paramedic agencies and qualitative analysis based on field visits to six selected agencies. The major findings of the study were that definitional ambiguity exists and that it adversely affects the ability to conduct benchmarking. Definitional ambiguity existed from two perspectives. There was ambiguity in the definitions used among agencies---thereby limiting the ability to benchmark. There was also ambiguity between definitions used by agencies and the definitions they attribute to citizens and elected officials---thereby limiting accurate communication of performance results to the public. While the research was not designed to examine intentions of paramedic agencies, the findings were consistent with Juran's theory of conscious errors---the reporting of performance that provides a more favorable impression than may otherwise be justified.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11942
- Subject Headings
- Emergency medical services--Florida, Public administration, Benchmarking (Management), Performance--Evaluation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Measured impact of federal government policies as determined by stock market capital values for selected industries.
- Creator
- Fuller, Edward E., Florida Atlantic University, deHaven-Smith, Lance
- Abstract/Description
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Government policies can reduce or increase wealth. Some governmental actions are explicit, such as the collection of taxes or fees. The effects of other actions are less apparent, such as safety regulations or meat inspection standards. Specific governmental policies were matched to related industry groups who would seem affected by the action. The stock values for each of the industrial groups were analyzed using a time series methodology. The data for the investigation came from the actual...
Show moreGovernment policies can reduce or increase wealth. Some governmental actions are explicit, such as the collection of taxes or fees. The effects of other actions are less apparent, such as safety regulations or meat inspection standards. Specific governmental policies were matched to related industry groups who would seem affected by the action. The stock values for each of the industrial groups were analyzed using a time series methodology. The data for the investigation came from the actual stock prices at weekly checkpoints over a two year period. Each group has a total stock value and the matching Dow Jones Industrial Average for each time period. Forecast values are compared to actual values for the critical periods previous to and following the pronouncement of the policy. The results are compared on a case by case basis within each industry, and an aggregate conclusion was drawn based on all five industries. Overall, the short term outcome reflected stock market reaction which caused most values to decrease from the news. Long term values were restored for the most part in relation to the total stock market behavior as represented by the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The intent of the research was to measure wealth changes as a result of governmental policy pronouncements. The capital values of the stock market provided a means of measuring wealth. While this paper did not intend to provide investment insight, one can conclude that short term downturns from some governmental policies are short term in nature. A savvy investor may be able to outperform the market average using such downturns as a strategic investment point.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1994
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12396
- Subject Headings
- Capital market--United States, Stock exchanges--United States, Industrial policy--United States, United States--Economic policy, Corporations--United States
- Format
- Document (PDF)