Social problems that are identified by government policy are articulated in ways that confer the responsibility of their management onto the state. In this way, policy reform serves as a means to justify political rule, as the ‘answers’ to policy failures are located within the realm of state intervention. This role of policy is maintained by the traditional definition of policy as it enables policies to be presented as the outcome of ‘necessary’ actions taken by state institutions to better the wellbeing of citizens. Since 1994, mainstream research on basic education policy in South Africa has employed traditional understandings of policy and its function. In doing so, these inquiries have failed to question the very idea of policy itself. They have also neglected to identify the productive role played by policy in the practice of power. To illuminate the necessary limits of policy reform, an alternative approach to analyse basic education policy is necessary. This thesis premises policy as discourse and advances a governmentality analysis of basic education policy during the first fifteen years of democracy (1994-2009) in South Africa. By drawing on the work of Michel Foucault, the study argues that government – ‘those actions upon the actions of others’ – during this period in South Africa was informed by both a liberal and a neo-liberal mentality of rule. The tensions between these two rationalities contributed to the continuation of apartheid’s socio-economic inequalities in the postapartheid era; an outcome buttressed by the contradictory impulses within basic education policy. By considering policy as a productive translation of governmental reasoning, the boundaries of intervention for future policy reforms are highlighted. These show that the inequalities that were perpetuated during the first fifteen years of democracy justify policy responses similar to those responsible for their production

M.A. / A new welfare policy which introduced the developmental approach in the welfare system was implemented during 1997 in South Africa. The developmental approach encourages the introduction of social programs that contribute directly to economic development in the communities. Developmental social welfare implies a variety of role players in a system of social services which focus on social development. Social workers happen to be one of them. A developmental social welfare policy implies that social work should shift focus of attention to strategies that would contribute to social development. The extent of basic development needs in our country demands that social workers should clearly define their roles and outputs at this point in time so as to address these needs and outline their distinctive professional contribution in a social welfare system within socio-economic development. The focus of this people-driven, people-centred approach is on developing human capacity and self-reliance within an enabling environment. The community development process has a major contribution to make in realizing this objective. For community development to take place, people need to act collectively. People need to be organized in the community so that they can be able to function as a unit. Through community development, social workers unleash people's collective potential, build their capacity and help them to organize themselves around common concerns. However, social workers need to recognize the role played by economic factors in development initiatives. Realizing that the new developmental approach was just been introduced to social workers, this study seeks to explore and describe the attitude of social workers towards this paradigm shift.

Since 2004 the Colombian Ministry of Education has been implementing the Programa Nacional de Bilingüismo (PNB) with the goal of having bilingual high school graduates in English and Spanish by 2019. However, implementation of the PNB has been criticized by English Language Teaching (ELT) specialists in the country who say, among other things, that the PNB introduced a discourse associated exclusively with bilingualism in English and Spanish. This study analyzed interviews with 15 participants of a public school of the Colombian Escuela Nueva, a successful model of community-based education that has begun a process of internationalization, regarding the participants’ perceptions of foreign language education and the policies of the PNB. Six students, five teachers, and four administrators were each interviewed twice using semi-structured interviews. To offer a critique of the PNB, this study tried to determine to what extent the school implemented the elements of Responsible ELT, a model developed by the researcher incorporating the concepts of hegemony of English, critical language-policy research, and resistance in ELT. Findings included the following: (a) students and teachers saw English as the universal language whereas most administrators saw English imposed due to political and economic reasons; (b) some teachers misinterpreted the 1994 General Law of Education mandating the teaching of a foreign language as a law mandating English; and (c) some teachers and administrators saw the PNB’s adoption of competence standards based on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages as beneficial whereas others saw it as arbitrary. Conclusions derived from this study of this Escuela Nueva school were: (a) most participants found the goal of the PNB unrealistic; (b) most teachers and administrators saw the policies of the PNB as top-down policies without assessment or continuity; and (c) teachers and administrators mentioned a disarticulation between elementary and high school ELT policies that may be discouraging students in public schools from learning English. Thus, this study suggests that the policies of the PNB may be contributing to English becoming a gatekeeper for higher education and employment thereby becoming a tool for sustaining inequality in Colombia.

Following established traditions in anthropology and sociology, where cross-border research helps to identify important themes which benefit from comparative study, this dissertation introduces cross-sector policy research as a new methodology for generating useful insights about public policy. The cross-sector method is applied to the study of the UK energy and transport sectors. A range of generic policy developments in the energy sector are identified including: the development of efficiency indicators, scenario analysis, and the establishment of energy efficiency programmes. Such developments have not, as yet, occurred in the transport sector. A structural analogy between energy and transport is developed which is used to generate a range of innovations for transport policy including: gross mass movements and intensities as indicators of the efficiency with which the economy uses transport; the projection of a quantitative scenario of sustainable mobility; and the outline of a transport efficiency programme. The insights from the analogy are generalised to consider the benefits of a wider application of cross-sector policy research to other policy areas.

Sweden aims to become one of the first fossil-free welfare countries in the world. In 2009, specific energy and climate policy targets were announced for 2020, which exceed the ambition of respective EU targets in some areas. The overarching objective of the thesis is to understand the role of energy efficiency in Swedish energy and climate policy frameworks, and identify the gaps that need to be addressed. In this context, energy efficiency is recognized as a challenge to address. Yet, there are reasons to believe that it is not being pursued with the same dedication as other energy and climate-related targets. This hypothesis is tested using Mixed Methods research, with cases on different sectors of the Swedish economy, namely energy intensive industry and public bus transport, as well as comparisons with energy efficiency within the EU-28. With the help of abductive reasoning, the observations are inferred to an explanation, and common themes for Swedish energy efficiency policies emerge. The evidence indicates that energy efficiency has received lower priority than other energy and climate policies. This is demonstrated by the conflict between energy efficiency, emission reduction and renewable energy targets, for example in the case of public transport. There is generally a mismatch between targets and the instruments in place. Thus more attention should be given to energy efficiency and its potential benefits for the Swedish energy system. Opportunities for energy efficiency improvements are not being fully realized, but new policy initiatives could provide the necessary support to harness the potential. In-depth evaluation of new policy instruments should be integrated in the policy-making process, in order to provide a clear picture of costs versus benefits. An example is given with a Cost-Benefit Analysis for energy efficiency obligations targeting the Swedish energy intensive industry. Simplicity and transparency in the introduction and monitoring of new instruments need to be sought for. Energy efficiency should be given first priority in relation to other energy and climate targets. The basis for future policies should be grounded now in order for energy efficiency to become the key for successful Swedish energy policy. / <p>QC 20160914</p>

No description available.

Tacit Knowledge is critical in an organization's ability to sustain a long-term competitive advantage. The systematic process for acquiring, organizing, sustaining and renewing tacit knowledge of employees has enabled organizations to survive in a robust economy. This study investigates the management of tacit knowledge at the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). The objectives of the study were: to identify the sources and types of knowledge at KIPPRA; identify the enabling resources for tacit knowledge sharing; determine how tacit knowledge can be reused for innovation and competitive advantage; establish the role of management in creating a conducive environment for tacit knowledge; identify the challenges experienced in the management of tacit knowledge; give recommendations and propose a model/framework for tacit knowledge management at KIPPRA. The study adopted a qualitative research method. Interviews and observation were used as primary data collection methods. The study targeted 60 employees of KIPPRA consisting of Researchers, Young Professionals, Heads of Division, a Knowledge Manager and Administrative staff. Qualitative data collected was organized, categorized and reported in verbatim. Pie charts and tables were used to give a graphical representation of the bio data of respondents. The study found that: KIPPRA values knowledge as an asset but does not practice tacit knowledge management, both tacit and explicit knowledge exists however, no real effort has gone into the management of tacit knowledge. The study also found that KIPPRA had tacit knowledge sharing, capture, transfer and storage avenues that have not been capitalized on. ICT infrastructure is available however it does not support tacit knowledge sharing. No Communities of Practice exist at KIPPRA but tacit knowledge is reused for innovation, development and competitive advantage. KIPPRA’s management has provided a conducive environment for tacit knowledge to thrive but trust, knowledge asymmetry, and hierarchical challenges have hindered tacit knowledge harnessing. No tacit knowledge related incentives are offered at KIPPRA. The study also revealed that employees experienced challenges such as identification and understanding of tacit knowledge, access of tacit knowledge sharing platforms, and access to individuals with specific tacit knowledge, tacit knowledge hoarding, individualism and ICT related challenges in accessing tacit knowledge. Even thought the necessary elements required to facilitate Tacit Knowledge Management are available, no effort has been made to customize them to harness tacit knowledge. The study concluded that for KIPPRA to have a competitive advantage it is important that the Knowledge Manager, with the Support of KIPPRA’s Management, have concerted efforts for harnessing tacit knowledge. Key recommendations include: establishment of Communities of Practice at KIPPRA that bring together like minded individuals and also enable the building of relationships based on trust among the employees, and investment in ICT mechanisms specific to tacit knowledge management to enhance the harnessing and codification of captured tacit knowledge. Employees should also be trained on the value of tacit knowledge sharing and individualism should be discouraged. The study also recommends the adoption of a proposed framework for managing tacit knowledge at KIPPRA. / Information Science

Politikwissenschaftliche Studien der vergangenen Jahre stellen fest, dass das deutsche und österreichische Gesundheitswesen eher reformresistent sind. Anhand der Einführung der elektronischen Kartensysteme im deutschen und österreichischen Gesundheitswesen zeigt diese Dissertation, dass gesundheitspolitische Reformschritte möglich sind. Durch ein vergleichendes Forschungsdesign werden anhand der zwei relativ ähnlich strukturierten Staaten Deutschland und Österreich mit dennoch relevanten Unterschieden im Politikfeld Gesundheit Theorien aus der vergleichenden Policy-Forschung und der Staatstätigkeitsforschung auf ihre Erklärungskraft hin untersucht. Durch eine qualitative Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring und die Auswertung von Experteninterviews werden die Bestimmungsfaktoren für den gesundheitspolitischen Wandel analysiert. Auf Grund der Abweichung dieser Dissertation (Reformmöglichkeit) von bisherigen empirischen Ergebnissen (Reformresistenz) aus dem Bereich der Gesundheitspolitologie, leistet die in dieser Arbeit vorgenommene Erklärung von politischem Wandel einen Beitrag zur politikwissenschaftlichen Forschung. Die Dissertation zeigt, dass eine Kombination von Theoriemodulen aus der vergleichenden Staatstätigkeitsforschung und der Policy-Forschung die Einführung der elektronischen Kartensysteme im deutschen und österreichischen Gesundheitswesen sinnvoll erklären kann. Die Arbeit stellt dar, dass der politische Wandel vor allem bis zur Phase der Implementation im Politikzyklus in beiden Staaten zügig möglich war. Geänderte Machtverhältnisse, die Verteilung von Machtressourcen zwischen den Interessengruppen im Politikfeld, vormals getroffene politische Entscheidungen und selbstverstärkende Mechanismen, das Engagement "neuer" Akteure im Subsystem, sowie gebundene Rationalitäten der politischen Entscheider sind die maßgeblichen Gründe, welche die Einführung des elektronischen Kartensystems im deutschen und im österreichischen Gesundheitswesen veranlassten.

Tacit Knowledge is critical in an organization's ability to sustain a long-term competitive advantage. The systematic process for acquiring, organizing, sustaining and renewing tacit knowledge of employees has enabled organizations to survive in a robust economy. This study investigates the management of tacit knowledge at the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). The objectives of the study were: to identify the sources and types of knowledge at KIPPRA; identify the enabling resources for tacit knowledge sharing; determine how tacit knowledge can be reused for innovation and competitive advantage; establish the role of management in creating a conducive environment for tacit knowledge; identify the challenges experienced in the management of tacit knowledge; give recommendations and propose a model/framework for tacit knowledge management at KIPPRA. The study adopted a qualitative research method. Interviews and observation were used as primary data collection methods. The study targeted 60 employees of KIPPRA consisting of Researchers, Young Professionals, Heads of Division, a Knowledge Manager and Administrative staff. Qualitative data collected was organized, categorized and reported in verbatim. Pie charts and tables were used to give a graphical representation of the bio data of respondents. The study found that: KIPPRA values knowledge as an asset but does not practice tacit knowledge management, both tacit and explicit knowledge exists however, no real effort has gone into the management of tacit knowledge. The study also found that KIPPRA had tacit knowledge sharing, capture, transfer and storage avenues that have not been capitalized on. ICT infrastructure is available however it does not support tacit knowledge sharing. No Communities of Practice exist at KIPPRA but tacit knowledge is reused for innovation, development and competitive advantage. KIPPRA’s management has provided a conducive environment for tacit knowledge to thrive but trust, knowledge asymmetry, and hierarchical challenges have hindered tacit knowledge harnessing. No tacit knowledge related incentives are offered at KIPPRA. The study also revealed that employees experienced challenges such as identification and understanding of tacit knowledge, access of tacit knowledge sharing platforms, and access to individuals with specific tacit knowledge, tacit knowledge hoarding, individualism and ICT related challenges in accessing tacit knowledge. Even thought the necessary elements required to facilitate Tacit Knowledge Management are available, no effort has been made to customize them to harness tacit knowledge. The study concluded that for KIPPRA to have a competitive advantage it is important that the Knowledge Manager, with the Support of KIPPRA’s Management, have concerted efforts for harnessing tacit knowledge. Key recommendations include: establishment of Communities of Practice at KIPPRA that bring together like minded individuals and also enable the building of relationships based on trust among the employees, and investment in ICT mechanisms specific to tacit knowledge management to enhance the harnessing and codification of captured tacit knowledge. Employees should also be trained on the value of tacit knowledge sharing and individualism should be discouraged. The study also recommends the adoption of a proposed framework for managing tacit knowledge at KIPPRA. / Information Science

Ethiopia has two stories to tell: a fast progress and unfair distribution of the gains in child health care. Despite Ethiopia’s achievement in meeting MDG4, wealth-related mortality inequality increased by 1.5 for every 1,000 live births between 2000 and 2011. Two major dividing lines contribute to child health inequality in Ethiopia: place of residence and wealth status. Lack of proper studies on health inequality policy making is affecting the comprehensiveness and quality of inequality reduction in Ethiopia. This study wished to assess child health inequality and policy factors that affect progress in inequality reduction. Accordingly, the study explored policy-makers’ attitude and interest; policy contents, and institutions to make recommendations that promote child health equity in Ethiopia. The research is mainly a qualitative policy research. Conducted between 2013 and 2017, it was design based on health policy researching and health inequality theories. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews among health policy makers; policy analysis; and a review of the literature. Twenty policy-makers, 15 policy documents, over 350 literatures were selected through purposing and theoretical open sampling methods. Data was synthesised and analysed with ATLAS.ti 7.1.4 through applying the tools of critical interpretive synthesis and ground theory. The study found that Ethiopia is in an early state of recognizing and intervening against health inequalities. The quality and level of knowledge is mixed and gets reduced as one goes far from the centre. Consensus is still growing on the major underlying causes of child health inequalities in Ethiopia. Most of the policy makers focus on down-stream factors than broader determinants of health. Wealth inequality is less discussed and intervened than geographical inequalities. The production of a new Plan of Action can helped to resolve the challenges of lack of detailed approaches that can help reduce the gap in Ethiopia. However, the content of the health policy documents is not comprehensive and based on global lessons. Policy makers from the central government in Ethiopia tend to reject the use of redistribute justice intervention as policy options. There were multiple reasons including: fear of sustainability, ethics and effectiveness were used to reject these interventions. However, leaders from DRS and DPs broadly support the proper adaption of these interventions. The recent surge of interest to address health inequalities is mainly led by small groups from the top leaders. The engagement of the middle level leaders, Developing Regional States (DRSs), civil society and development partners has been limited. The relation between different institutes is very important in the Ethiopian federal state to reduce inequality. Without an improved level of awareness; change in attitude; broader engagement of citizens; use of independent data source and review of resource distribution Ethiopia’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage in 2030 could get delayed. Finally, this research provided a list of recommend interventions that Ethiopia might take in its plan, to narrow down health inequalities among children by 2030. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)