The September 11 terrorist attacks pointed out the lack of information sharing between law enforcement agencies as a potential threat to sound law enforcement in the United States. Therefore, many law enforcement agencies as well as the federal government have been initiating information sharing systems among law enforcement agencies to eradicate the information sharing problem. One of the systems established by Homeland Security is the North Central Texas Fusion Center (NCTFC). This study evaluates the NCTFC by utilizing user acceptance methodology. The unified theory of acceptance and the use of technology is used as a theoretical framework for this study. Within the study, user acceptance literature is examined and various models and theories are discussed. Furthermore, a brief information regarding the intelligence work done by law enforcement agencies are explained. In addition to the NCTFC, several major law enforcement information systems are introduced. The data for this study comes from the users of the NCTFC across the north central Texas region. Surveys and interviews are used to triangulate data. It is found in this study that performance expectancy and effort expectancy are important indicators of system use. Furthermore, outreach and needs assessment are important factors in establishing systems. The results of the study offer valuable input for NCTFC administrators, law enforcement officials, and future researchers.

Background: Studies situated in an institutional care environment point to the fact that addiction issues in institutional care are a topic that deserves special attention, even with regard to the fact that the children of these institutions are considered vulnerable to risky behavior. The Ústí nad Labem Region has long been in the first places in the prevalence of substance use and is also specific in the occurrence of a number of negative social factors. In the whole region there is 1 addiction treatment outpatient clinic focused on the target group of children and adolescents, which during its operation registered repeated demand for specialized help that originates from children's homes. Aim: The main aim of the study is to identify the opportunity of applying an addiction specialist in the children's home in the Ústí nad Labem region. The partial aims of the study are to map the current state of addiction issues in these children's homes and to describe the possible form of cooperation of these facilities and addiction specialist with regard to the identification of barriers to this cooperation. Methods: The research is based on a qualitative approach. The research sample was obtained by a combination of selective sampling method and self-selection method. All 17 children's homes in the Ústí...

A culture of accommodation and tolerance is a necessary part of establishing and preserving a functional multi-national and multi-ethnic European Union. Civil society organizations and their associated social capital have been shown to foster civic capacity and achievement of public policy goals. However, social capital that is based on group identity can also contribute to a sense of intolerance towards out-groups, undermining the stated tolerance objectives of the social pillar of the European Union. States with a strong presence alongside civil society are expected to be curb the development of the exclusionary bonding form of social capital in favor of bridging social capital which will improve progress toward policy goals. This study tests the link between government capacity, social capital and tolerance using data from the 1990-2009 waves of the World Values Survey and European Values Study. Using path analysis and multi-level models of the relationships between political capacity, social capital and intolerance, the model establishes that government capacity enhances bridging social capital and which increases social tolerance. The study fills a gap in understanding how government capacity and policy can result in improved social capital even with greater diversity. A proposed relationship between political capacity and bonding forms of social capital was not supported.

This study sought to establish the critical underpinnings for the organisational effectiveness of regional integration institutions (RIIs). The interest arose out of a general observation of failure by RIIs in Africa to effectively achieve the objectives for which they were established. Informed by theories of organisational effectiveness, the study hypothesised that RIIs are likely to be effective in achieving the objectives for which they were established if the basic fundamentals of organisational effectiveness theory are embedded in their institutional structures, systems and processes. The East African Community (EAC) was used as a unit of analysis. A comparative analysis of the world's most advanced RII, the European Union (EU) was also undertaken. The findings revealed that the basic fundamentals of organisational effectiveness theory are only weakly ingrained in the EAC while deeply embedded in the EU. Recommendations were made on how the EAC could improve its organisational effectiveness. / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / MA (PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION)

The thesis is focused on the question of how responsibilities for the performance of public functions are assigned to levels or spheres of government. The term "public function" refers to the activities performed by governments in order to satisfy identified community needs. There is a paucity of validated knowledge concerning the particular phenomenon, and the purpose of the study is to make a research based contribution in this connection. Because of the exploratory nature of the study particular attention is paid to the orientation of the research in Public Administration terms, as well as to research design. A study of the assignment of responsibilities in a selection of foreign countries was undertaken, and the findings are recorded and evaluated. The conclusion reached is that in none of the countries studied a clear, comprehensive demarcation of governmental responsibilities has been achieved. Regarding South Africa, the thesis encompasses a historical overview, followed by separate analytical examinations of the arrangements set in place by the 1993 ("interim") and the 1996 ("final") Constitutions. In the pre-democratic era (1910 to 1994), ideological considerations patently played a prominent role. The treatment of the assignment question by the 1993 Constitution is found to have had substantial shortcomings, especially with regard to conceptual and technical aspects, the realisation of assignment principles, and the substance of assigned responsibilities. In the author's opinion a satisfactory deployment of responsibilities was not achieved. The 1996 Constitution improved the assignment scheme, notably through the better realisation of assignment principles, the introduction of exclusive powers for the provinces, and in dealing with the municipal domain. However, the 1996 Constitution also did not achieve a credible and clear-cut assignment of responsibilities. In assessing the degree to which a scientific approach to the assignment question is in evidence, the finding is that such an approach has not been established. A theoretical assignment model, following a Public Administration approach, is then presented. The model covers language, classification, assignment principles, and methodology. The thesis concludes with a reflection on the research, as well as on the practicalities of achieving improvement in the assignment of responsibilities. / Public Administration / D. Litt. et Phil. (Public Administration)

A pesquisa estuda a paradiplomacia que envolve atividades de relação e cooperação internacionais protagonizadas por unidades públicas subnacionais. Identifica ações desenvolvidas por governos locais e regionais de várias partes do mundo e, em particular, as atividades paradiplomáticas realizadas pelas cidades de São Paulo, no Brasil, e Montevidéu, no Uruguai. A paradiplomacia em estado federado envolve as atividades protagonizadas pelos Municípios, Estados e Distrito Federal e, em estados unitários, compreendem as efetuadas pelos municípios. Com base no referencial teórico indicado inicialmente, bem como na quantificação dos governos locais latino-americanos, o trabalho desenvolve reflexões sobre a malha territorial do poder local na América Latina e as atividades paradiplomáticas na região. A pesquisa analisa, igualmente, as modalidades de cooperação (intergovernamental/ intragovernamental e horizontal/vertical) protagonizadas pelas interações ocorridas entre governos locais (municípios), governos regionais (Estados) e a União, identificadas no âmbito da gestão das políticas públicas na federação brasileira. Realiza, em seguida, com base nestas experiências, um esforço para identificar como são estão tais cooperações, quando realizadas no âmbito da paradiplomacia. Por fim, realiza um estudo da paradiplomacia em São Paulo e Montevidéu analisando as atividades desenvolvidas do final da década de 1980 até meados da década de 2000, por meio de entrevistas a 12 atores-chaves destas cidades vinculados às práticas paradiplomáticas realizadas. / The research holds as reference the study of the paradiplomacy involving international relations and cooperation activities staged by subnational government units. It identifies actions developed by local and regional governments from around the world, but specifically the paradiplomatic activities undertaken by the cities of São Paulo, Brazil, and Montevideo, Uruguay. The paradiplomacy in federal states involves activities leaded by municipalities, states and the Federal District, and in unitary states, includes those developed by local governments. Based on the theoretical framework initially referred to, as well as on the quantification of local governments in Latin America, this paper provides reflections on the territorial mesh of local authorities in Latin America and the paradiplomatic activities in the region. The research analyzes, to an equal degree, the types of cooperation (intergovernmental / intragovernmental and horizontal / vertical) led by interactions occurring between local governments (municipalities), regional governments (states) and the Union, identified in the management of public policies in the Brazilian federation. Then, based on these experiences, it undertakes an effort to identify how such cooperation is done, when carried out under the paradiplomacy. Finally, it performs a study on the paradiplomacy of Sao Paulo and Montevideo analyzing the activities developed from the late 1980s to the mid 2000s, through a standard questionnaire administered, to 12 key stakeholders from these cities that identify and hold the executed paradiplomatic practices.

A pesquisa estuda a paradiplomacia que envolve atividades de relação e cooperação internacionais protagonizadas por unidades públicas subnacionais. Identifica ações desenvolvidas por governos locais e regionais de várias partes do mundo e, em particular, as atividades paradiplomáticas realizadas pelas cidades de São Paulo, no Brasil, e Montevidéu, no Uruguai. A paradiplomacia em estado federado envolve as atividades protagonizadas pelos Municípios, Estados e Distrito Federal e, em estados unitários, compreendem as efetuadas pelos municípios. Com base no referencial teórico indicado inicialmente, bem como na quantificação dos governos locais latino-americanos, o trabalho desenvolve reflexões sobre a malha territorial do poder local na América Latina e as atividades paradiplomáticas na região. A pesquisa analisa, igualmente, as modalidades de cooperação (intergovernamental/ intragovernamental e horizontal/vertical) protagonizadas pelas interações ocorridas entre governos locais (municípios), governos regionais (Estados) e a União, identificadas no âmbito da gestão das políticas públicas na federação brasileira. Realiza, em seguida, com base nestas experiências, um esforço para identificar como são estão tais cooperações, quando realizadas no âmbito da paradiplomacia. Por fim, realiza um estudo da paradiplomacia em São Paulo e Montevidéu analisando as atividades desenvolvidas do final da década de 1980 até meados da década de 2000, por meio de entrevistas a 12 atores-chaves destas cidades vinculados às práticas paradiplomáticas realizadas. / The research holds as reference the study of the paradiplomacy involving international relations and cooperation activities staged by subnational government units. It identifies actions developed by local and regional governments from around the world, but specifically the paradiplomatic activities undertaken by the cities of São Paulo, Brazil, and Montevideo, Uruguay. The paradiplomacy in federal states involves activities leaded by municipalities, states and the Federal District, and in unitary states, includes those developed by local governments. Based on the theoretical framework initially referred to, as well as on the quantification of local governments in Latin America, this paper provides reflections on the territorial mesh of local authorities in Latin America and the paradiplomatic activities in the region. The research analyzes, to an equal degree, the types of cooperation (intergovernmental / intragovernmental and horizontal / vertical) led by interactions occurring between local governments (municipalities), regional governments (states) and the Union, identified in the management of public policies in the Brazilian federation. Then, based on these experiences, it undertakes an effort to identify how such cooperation is done, when carried out under the paradiplomacy. Finally, it performs a study on the paradiplomacy of Sao Paulo and Montevideo analyzing the activities developed from the late 1980s to the mid 2000s, through a standard questionnaire administered, to 12 key stakeholders from these cities that identify and hold the executed paradiplomatic practices.

Thesis (Master of Strategic Studies) -- Army War College, 2006. / Title from title screen (viewed Aug. 20, 2008). "8 March 2006"--P. [iii]. "ADA449254"--URL. Includes bibliographical references (p. 15-22). Also issued in paper format.

The thesis is focused on the question of how responsibilities for the performance of public functions are assigned to levels or spheres of government. The term "public function" refers to the activities performed by governments in order to satisfy identified community needs. There is a paucity of validated knowledge concerning the particular phenomenon, and the purpose of the study is to make a research based contribution in this connection. Because of the exploratory nature of the study particular attention is paid to the orientation of the research in Public Administration terms, as well as to research design. A study of the assignment of responsibilities in a selection of foreign countries was undertaken, and the findings are recorded and evaluated. The conclusion reached is that in none of the countries studied a clear, comprehensive demarcation of governmental responsibilities has been achieved. Regarding South Africa, the thesis encompasses a historical overview, followed by separate analytical examinations of the arrangements set in place by the 1993 ("interim") and the 1996 ("final") Constitutions. In the pre-democratic era (1910 to 1994), ideological considerations patently played a prominent role. The treatment of the assignment question by the 1993 Constitution is found to have had substantial shortcomings, especially with regard to conceptual and technical aspects, the realisation of assignment principles, and the substance of assigned responsibilities. In the author's opinion a satisfactory deployment of responsibilities was not achieved. The 1996 Constitution improved the assignment scheme, notably through the better realisation of assignment principles, the introduction of exclusive powers for the provinces, and in dealing with the municipal domain. However, the 1996 Constitution also did not achieve a credible and clear-cut assignment of responsibilities. In assessing the degree to which a scientific approach to the assignment question is in evidence, the finding is that such an approach has not been established. A theoretical assignment model, following a Public Administration approach, is then presented. The model covers language, classification, assignment principles, and methodology. The thesis concludes with a reflection on the research, as well as on the practicalities of achieving improvement in the assignment of responsibilities. / Public Administration and Management / D. Litt. et Phil. (Public Administration)

The historic year of 1994 marked the demise of the apartheid government and its replacement with a new era of participative democracy in South Africa. Government in the new South Africa adopted a decentralised structure underpinned by chapter three of the Constitution (1996). Consequently, there are three spheres of government, which are, national, provincial and local levels. These spheres are obliged and mandated to mutually cooperate and support each other through peaceful interactions termed intergovernmental relations (IGR) which are aimed at achieving a cooperative system of government. IGR is institutionalised through forums which cut-across all spheres of government and such structures are established by the Intergovernmental Relations framework Act (No. 13 of 2005). Sustained intergovernmental cooperation can lead to an integrated and coordinated system of government, which can, deliver services effectively while meeting the needs of the citizens and ultimately promoting sustainable socio-economic development in South Africa.The aim of this empirical study was to assess the role played by cooperativegovernment and intergovernmental relations in promoting effective delivery of services in the Amathole District Municipality (ADM). Local government is the ‘grassroots’ government and it is where the actual rendering of services is situated which was reason behind the choice of the study area by the researcher. The study adopted amixed-method research paradigm in which both the quantitative and qualitative research paradigms were triangulated to ensure that the validity and reliability of the research findings is improved. Data in the study was gathered from a representative sample of seventy (70) respondents carefully selected using non-random sampling designs, viz, judgmental and snowball sampling. The study used both primary (questionnaires and interviews) and secondary (documentary analysis) sources of data to achieve the research objectives as validly as possible. Respondents in the study comprised of municipal officials, IGR practitioners, representatives from Community Based Organisations and the residents of ADM. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) software and the mains findings of the study were that; ADM has got IGR forums in existence although some of these are dormant and dysfunctional, only three out of the seven local municipalities in ADM are cooperative in IGR, there is general lack of political will on the side of politicians in terms of support of IGR initiatives, political factionism and interferences is crippling IGR and cooperation, the legal framework for IGR needs revision and revamping, there are still communities without access to basic services in ADM, public sector planning cycles are fragmented and need synergisation and IGR is not being monitored and evaluated. The study therefore recommended that; the relevant stakeholders in IGR should be fully dedicated towards cooperation, planning cycles for public entities need to be synergised, the National Planning Commission (NPC) should take an oversight role in the entire planning process, the legislation should be enacted which has a clause for punitive action being taken against those who fail to cooperate in IGR and the national, provincial and local governments should prioritise access to basic services in communities cooperatively.