Local Administration Journal

Political and Administrative Actors’ Interactions: Evaluating the Influence of Good Governance Principles in Project Implementation and Management in Tanzania

Kweyamba Maximilian — 2025-12-25

The interactions between political and administrative actors are crucial in determining the success or failure of development projects, as they directly influence implementation and management processes. This study investigated the interactions between political and administrative actors in Tanzania and their influence on the implementation and management of development projects, specifically focusing on adherence to governance principles. The study objectives are: (1) to examine the nature of interactions between political and administrative actors; (2) to assess the extent of adherence to good governance principles; and (3) to identify challenges hindering compliance. This study utilised a mixed-methods approach. A purposeful and convenient sampling technique selected 51 participants from various political and administrative roles. Data was gathered through interviews, surveys, and document analysis to assess how compliance or non-compliance with good governance principles impacts project outcomes. The findings indicate that whilst political and administrative actors know good governance principles, full compliance has not been achieved. Political actors often prioritise control and influence over administrative decisions, while administrative actors struggle with transparency and accountability. Challenges such as political pressures and bureaucratic constraints were also identified, leading to financial mismanagement, corruption, and public dissatisfaction. The study highlights the need to strengthen formal accountability mechanisms and bridge the gap between political control, awareness, and adherence to good governance principles. Governance principles will foster more effective and equitable project implementation and management, improving project implementation and management outcomes.

Participation of Village Council and Street Committee Members in Local Government Health and Education Service Delivery: Evidence from Selected Councils in Dodoma Region, Tanzania

Rose Likangaga — 2025-12-29

Village council and street committee members have diverse interests in service delivery in Lower Level Local Government Authorities’ (LLLGA). This paper aims at assessing their participation in local government authorities’ service delivery. Specifically, the study assessed the extent to which members consider stakeholder contribution, gender participation, integrated voice of marginalized, and use of forums in health and education service delivery. The study employed a cross-sectional research design, and the respondents were 399 village council and street members. Interviews were conducted with 15 key informants who were sampled purposively. The study employed both primary data and Secondary data. The quantitative data was analyzed using the stereotype logistic regression model, while the qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis. Overall findings revealed that each aspect was indicated by the observed negative significance of village council and street members’ participation in relation to the LGA service delivery. However, gender had an insignificant relationship with services delivery as the study discovered that, in Tanzania, women are unequally provided opportunities in land, agriculture, and public leadership participation, and some of the street committees do not have any women. This results in the fact that women’s needs being denied in education and health services provision. The authors conclude that there is a negative relationship between village council and street members’ participation and services delivery. The authors recommend that, in order village council and street committee members to enhance their participation, the engagement plans should be designed to ensure sustainable service delivery in the LGA, unlike the traditional approaches used in LGA, e.g., mainly village and street assemblies. The preponderant fact is village council and street committee members’ participation strengthens and improves service delivery through acquisition of diverse ideas and resources.

From Symmetric Functions to Civic Participation and Health Governance in Community Health Care Services after the Devolution to Provincial Administrative Organizations

Weerasak Krueathep — 2025-12-25

The devolution of community health center (CHC) from Ministry of Public Health to provincial administrative organizations (PAOs) has significantly embarked on a new ecosystem for community health services. PAOs now have more autonomy and discretion to provide primary health care that better fits constituency needs and health conditions. This research attempts to examine whether the changing milieu helps stimulate civic participation and community health governance in desirable ways. Twelve CHCs from six PAOs around the country are selected and provided guidelines in designing their own management sandboxes. Findings show that the devolution contexts provide new legal and management platforms that help to develop civic engagement and innovations in primary health services. Communal residents are now widely and actively involved in the new governance model of CHCs; for example, analyzing community’s health situation, setting health service priorities, designing new service schemes, and engaging in monitoring processes. This research suggests that the devolution of CHCs brings about better health outcomes attributable to the careful, asymmetrical designs of health services to fit varying needs. Thus, government and relevant agencies shall advance the community health devolution policy into a wider scale and help eradicate legal and management obstacles for the PAOs.

Khon Kaen City of Mo Lam: Exploring the City Potentials to Become a Creative City

Koedkanya Chanthasin — 2025-12-25

This study examines the potential of Khon Kaen City to develop as a Creative City by adopting Mo Lam as its cultural identity. The research employs a qualitative approach, drawing on both secondary data from documentary sources and primary data collected through in-depth interviews. Participants were purposively selected based on their direct relevance to the study. Interpretive analysis and inductive reasoning were applied to analyze the data, resulting in the identification of 17 factors across three dimensions—people, identity, and place—that influence creative city development. Primary data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 20 members from four Mo Lam troupes based in Khon Kaen. The findings indicate that Khon Kaen possesses significant potential to become a Creative City by leveraging Mo Lam as its cultural identity. In the people dimension, the city’s strengths include a diverse population and a workforce with varied skills and talents. Regarding identity, Khon Kaen benefits from a strong local cultural identity and an inclusive approach to cultural diversity. In terms of place, the city demonstrates several strengths, including support for creativity, promotion of education, a creative-friendly environment, preservation and promotion of arts and culture, encouragement of technology and innovation, and the presence of creative businesses and industries. However, notable weaknesses remain, particularly in limited funding, restricted access to resources, and insufficient public spaces that support creative activities. Opportunities for further development include support for diverse creative activities, improved infrastructure, assistance for small businesses, and flexible, scalable management systems. Nonetheless, challenges persist, especially in fostering effective public participation in the creative city development process.

Reimagining Urban Mobility: The Relationship Between Public Awareness and Demand for Public Transportation in Hat Yai Municipality, Songkhla Province

Kasipat Thonmanee — 2025-12-26

Public transportation is a crucial form of infrastructure that plays a vital role in urban development, particularly in the contemporary context where cities are facing rapid urbanization. This study aimed to examine the relationship between citizens’ awareness of the benefits and values of public transportation and their demand for public transportation in Hat Yai Municipality, Songkhla Province. A quantitative research approach was employed, using a sample of 140 respondents. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using multiple linear regression. The findings revealed that citizens’ positive awareness of public transportation and their frequency of public transportation were positively associated with their demand for public transportation, while other variables did not exhibit significant associations with demand. These results suggest that the development of public transportation should prioritize enhancing positive public awareness, providing services that align with people’s travel purposes, and ensuring affordable fare structures to promote equitable access. Such efforts are essential for improving urban quality of life and advancing sustainable development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 11.

A Survey on Public Opinions Regarding Drug Issues in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, 2023

Preechaya Nakfon — 2025-12-29

This study aims to present the results of a survey on public satisfaction with, and confidence in, addressing drug problems in Bangkok, as well as their fears regarding local drug problems. A questionnaire survey was employed to collect data from 2,711 residents across six district clusters covering both community and non-community areas. The survey revealed that respondents’ overall satisfaction with the management of drug problems in Bangkok was moderate, the average score is 3.22 out of a total of 5, which is below the target score of 3.25. It also indicated that their satisfaction levels were consistently moderate across all aspects, including the capability to implement measures, personnel competency, a sense of security and safety, and trust or positive impressions of the services or assistance provided. The overall level of their confidence in addressing drug problems was also found to be moderate, the average score is 3.10, which is below the target score of 3.25. Their expectations for addressing drug issues were relatively high across all measures, whereas satisfaction with personnel competency remained moderate. Overall, their fear of drug problems was moderate, the average score is 3.04, which is below the target score of 3.75, the goal has been achieved. Their perceptions of personal threats posed by drug problems and their responses to such threats were also rated as moderate. Most respondents had limited direct experience with drug problems, but they were concerned about the potential harm or negative impacts of drug issues, largely due to exposure to news reports on drug-related dangers in society. They also had relatively high expectations for government agencies to take a leading role in addressing drug problems in the local area.

Factors Influencing Public Participation in Local Development: A Case Study of a Local Administrative Organization in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

Rattana Phonlasen — 2025-12-25

The objectives of this study were (1) to examine the levels of public opinion regarding local development, and (2) to investigate the factors—namely the perceived benefits of participation, leadership roles, local attachment, and community network strength—that influence citizen participation in the local development of a local administrative organization in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The population comprised residents living within the jurisdiction of the selected local administrative organization. A sample of 200 respondents was obtained using multi-stage sampling. A questionnaire was employed as the research instrument. The statistical methods used for data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that, overall, respondents expressed a high level of agreement regarding the perceived benefits of participation, leadership roles, local attachment, community network strength, and citizen participation in local development. Hypothesis testing further revealed that perceived participation benefits and the strength of community networks had a statistically significant influence on citizen participation in local development at the 0.05 significance level. Together, these factors explained 57 percent of the variance in citizen participation. These findings underscore the importance of enhancing participation incentives and strengthening community networks as key strategies for promoting sustainable citizen engagement in local development.

Publicness and Public Value: A Theoretical Foundation Review and Practical Application

Nunta Bootnoi — 2025-12-25

This article seeks to examine the concepts of “Publicity” and "Public Value," which are pivotal in comprehending public policy formulation and public administration. It presents a comprehensive range of theoretical foundations, from John Dewey’s work, which underscores public participation, to Barry Bozeman's theory, which concentrates on the level of publicity and public value that may emerge from the operations of the entire public sector. Additionally, Mark H. Moore highlights the significance of strategic management in the public sector to achieve sustainable and valuable social outcomes. Furthermore, the application of both concepts in the processes of public policy formulation and evaluation is elucidated. The article discusses government management and collaboration among the government, private sector, and non-profit organizations to generate genuine common benefits. It posits that integrating the concepts of publicity and public values is a crucial mechanism for enhancing transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the modern public sector management system.