Hafte G E B R E S E L A S S I E Gebrihet | University of Cape Town (original) (raw)

Papers by Hafte G E B R E S E L A S S I E Gebrihet

Purpose-The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of polarisation on trust in government... more Purpose-The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of polarisation on trust in government. Design/methodology/approach-The authors use the ordered probit technique to model trust as a function of polarisation and various control variables. The authors apply the instrumental variables approach to address potential endogeneity in polarisation, using ethnic diversity as an instrument. Findings-The results reveal that an increase in polarisation reduces trust in central government. However, trust in local government is non-responsive to this polarisation. The estimations controlled for government performance, and the authors found a positive association between government performance and trust in government, which, however, does not alter the relationship between polarisation and trust in government. Practical implications-In ethnically polarised nations, policymakers should consider decentralisation measures. This can help sustain trust and development support, particularly in regions where citizens prioritise ethnicity over nationality. Social implications-The social implications of this research underscore the importance of promoting trust in government to foster social cohesion and stability, particularly in ethnically diverse societies. Originality/value-The authors find that increased ethnic polarisation reduces trust in the central government, particularly among those prioritising their ethnicity over nationality. This adds a non-performance dimension to government trust literature, suggesting that policies focusing solely on performance may yield limited results. The research extends beyond central government trust to include local governments. Unlike central government, local government trust remains tied to performance attributes unaffected by polarisation. Hence, investing resources through local governments is a viable strategy for enhancing citizen support while mitigating polarisation's adverse effects.

Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, Jan 4, 2024

Social sciences, Dec 18, 2023

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Transparency International (TI), 2023

Research paper series Transparency International (TI) is the world's leading non-governmental ant... more Research paper series Transparency International (TI) is the world's leading non-governmental anti-corruption organisation, addressing corruption and corruption risk in its many forms through a network of more than 100 national chapters worldwide. Transparency International Global Health Programme's (TI GH) overall goal is to improve global health and healthcare outcomes for the benefit of all people, of all ages. It aims to achieve this by reducing corruption and promoting transparency, integrity and accountability within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.

Article, 2021

As in many Sub-Sahara African countries, urban land administration in Ethiopia is characterised b... more As in many Sub-Sahara African countries, urban land administration in Ethiopia is characterised by governance challenges. Yet scholarly attention to the principles of good governance implementation and the quantification of the factors affecting urban land governance is inadequate. This study examines the determinants of customer satisfaction in urban land governance in Mekelle City, Ethiopia. The study employs a pragmatic research design and combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A survey of a sample of 399 customers and 23 informants was interviewed using a [semi] structured interview, and the data was analysed using a logistic regression model and content analysis. The findings of the investigation indicate that urban land administration in Mekelle City is characterised by weak governance. The regression analysis results reveal that the absence of accountability, the lack of transparency, little public participation, the existence of rampant corruption, and violation of the rule of law are the major determinants of customer levels of satisfaction. Thus, there is a lack of quality service delivery and a fragile system of land governance. The inferences hold importance for policy implications in urban land management, especially for developing countries grappling with rapid urbanisation. The study contributes to the prevailing literature on applying good governance principles in urban land administration from a developing-country perspective.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused turmoil around the world. In Africa, some similarities and diffe... more The COVID-19 pandemic has caused turmoil around the world. In Africa, some similarities and differences could be observed in the nature of the outbreak and the policy responses across the continent. This article discusses the policy responses and reflects on their effectiveness as a containment strategy. We speculate on why these strategies seem to work or not, and the lessons therein. The analysis also examines the setting up of crisis teams and whether they indicate lack of trust in the existing public administration system. The article argues that though South African cases and testing diverged significantly from the rest of the continent, a wider similarity can be observed in pandemic management across the continent. The article identifies some factors including quick and early measures, recent experience managing epidemic/health crises, and a display of some form of community resilience acquired over years of living in a state of poor governance as some of the important factors in the management of the pandemic. We find there is a dearth of scholarship on crisis management in the context of public administration and suggest this should be an object of future study in the field. The use of ad-hoc crisis teams that assume emergency powers is a common practice, but there is insufficient rigorous analysis to show their effectiveness and impact on existing bureaucratic institutions. Keywords: COVID-19; Africa; policy response to the pandemic; crisis management in the public sector; lockdown approach. COVID-19 na África: uma análise comparativa das primeiras políticas de resposta A pandemia da COVID-19 causou grande turbulência em todo o mundo. Entre os países africanos pode-se perceber semelhanças e diferenças tanto em relação a natureza do surto como nas respostas políticas implementadas. Esse artigo discute essas respostas e reflete sobre sua eficácia como estratégia de contenção da pandemia. Especulamos as razões pelas quais essas estratégias parecem funcionar (ou não) e quais são as lições aprendidas, bem como examinamos a criação de 'equipes de crise' e se essas equipes demonstram confiança no sistema de administração pública existente. A análise nos permite argumentar que, embora a manifestação dos casos e os testes conduzidos na África do Sul tenham divergido significativamente do observado no resto do continente, há uma semelhança em geral em relação a gestão da pandemia em toda a África. Identificamos alguns elementos que refletem essa similaridade na gestão, entre eles a adoção de medidas rápidas e precoces, a experiência recente no gerenciamento de epidemias/crises de saúde e a existência de alguma forma de resiliência da comunidade, adquirida ao longo de anos de experiência em lidar com um estado de falta de governança. Ainda, observamos a escassez de estudos sobre gestão de crises no contexto da administração pública e sugerimos futuros trabalhos na área. Finalmente, percebemos que o uso de 'equipes de crise' constituídas especificamente e com poderes para lidar com a situação de emergência é uma prática comum. Entretanto, não há uma análise rigorosa suficiente para mostrar que essa estratégia é eficaz e tem impacto nas instituições burocráticas existentes. Palavras-chave: COVID-19; África; resposta política à pandemia; gestão de crises no setor público; abordagem de confinamento. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | Rio de Janeiro 55(1): 229-242, Jan.-Feb. 2021 RAP | COVID-19 in Africa: a comparative analysis of early policy responses 230 COVID-19 en África: un análisis comparativo de las políticas de primera respuesta La pandemia de COVID-19 causó una gran conmoción en todo el mundo. Entre los países africanos, se pueden observar similitudes y diferencias tanto en relación con la naturaleza del brote como en las respuestas políticas implementadas. Este artículo analiza esas respuestas y reflexiona sobre su eficacia como estrategia de contención de una pandemia. Especulamos sobre las razones por las que estas estrategias parecen funcionar (o no) y cuáles son las lecciones aprendidas, además de examinar la creación de "equipos de crisis" y si estos equipos muestran confianza en el sistema de administración pública existente. El análisis nos permite argumentar que, aunque la manifestación de casos y pruebas realizadas en Sudáfrica ha divergido significativamente de la observada en el resto del continente, existe una similitud en general en relación con el manejo de la pandemia en África. Identificamos algunos elementos que reflejan esta similitud en la gestión, incluida la adopción de medidas rápidas y tempranas, la experiencia reciente en el manejo de epidemias/crisis de salud y la existencia de alguna forma de resiliencia comunitaria, adquirida durante años de experiencia en lidiar con un estado de falta de gobernanza. Además, notamos la escasez de estudios sobre gestión de crisis en el contexto de la administración pública y sugerimos trabajos futuros en el área. Finalmente, percibimos que el uso de "equipos de crisis" específicamente constituidos y capacitados para hacer frente a la emergencia es una práctica común. Sin embargo, no existe un análisis suficientemente riguroso para demostrar que esta estrategia es efectiva y tiene un impacto en las instituciones burocráticas existentes. Palabras clave: COVID-19; África; respuesta política a la pandemia; gestión de crisis en el sector público; enfoque de contención.

Article, 2020

Purpose: The ultimate objective of the study is to examine the determinants of the urban land lea... more Purpose: The ultimate objective of the study is to examine the determinants of the urban land lease market in an emerging economy with empirical evidence from Ethiopia. Design/Methodology/Approach: A nomothetic methodology with a standardized and quantitative method of data analysis was adopted for this study. The data was gathered from the Mekelle municipality between 2014-2019. The data was analyzed using the pooled ordinary least square technique. The model produced robust relationships and consistent results with previous studies. Findings: The study found both supply and demand-driven factors associated with plot markup price. The findings revealed that plot size, payment period, monthly income, plots accessible to basic services, plot location, land use type, and land lease auctioned period associated positively and significantly with the urban land lease markup price. Auctioneers paid a premium for plots having a larger size, extended payment period, access to basic services, and specified for residential housing. On the other hand, distance, and plot inaccessible to basic services associated negatively and significantly with the urban land lease markup price. Practical Implication: The rapid urbanization in Ethiopia has generated intensified supply and demand-driven challenges for public policy. Hence, the municipality should enhance infrastructure development across all plot locations and exercise strict control of land speculation to increase municipal revenue, and address supply and demand-driven challenges. Moreover, the municipal government should ensure equitable access to urban land by controlling land speculation. Originality/Value: Several studies that have assessed urban land expansion and administration, however, paid less attention to the urban land lease market. Furthermore, in an economic sense, it is crucial to examine the urban land value determinants from both demand and supply side at a time when less attention has been paid thereto in the literature.

Research Article, 2020

Good governance is frequently used in academic discourse and commonplace debate about how governm... more Good governance is frequently used in academic discourse and commonplace debate about how government, business organisations, and civic societies manage themselves and their relationship with the people within the sphere of service delivery. However, existing literature does not provide adequate evidence of how land administration is measured from a good governance perspective. The article provides a good governance index towards responsive urban land administration. Methodologically, a case study design was adopted. Utilising a top-down approach where an initial comparative analysis of various studies on the principles of good gover-nance was conducted, 11 principles with 55 sub-principles were identified as relevant for a good governance framework. The initial step was followed by a bottom-up approach in which 399 respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique from the urban land lease auction list of Mekelle municipality to weigh the level of significance of the principles of good governance. The survey data comprised of a close-ended questionnaire was analysed based on the descriptive statistics method. The findings demonstrate that accountability, transparency, rule of law, and public participation matter the most in urban land administration with a significant score of 0.109; 0.109; 0.107; and 0.103, respectively. The existence of accountable and transparent officials; respect for the rule of law; and community participation in policymaking can improve service provision; control

Research articles, 2019

This study assessed corruption in decentralized rural land administration in the Eastern zone of ... more This study assessed corruption in decentralized rural land administration in the Eastern zone of Tigray National Regional State. The design of the study is cross-sectional based on a descriptive survey involving qualitative and quantitative data type with primary and secondary sources. Primary data were obtained through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussion whereas secondary data was developed by reviewing different articles. The study used purposive and systematic sampling techniques, hence, 399 household heads, 32 key informants, and 32 FGD discussants totally 463 individuals have participated in the study. The quantitative data that required descriptive statistics were analyzed using Excel, and SPSS whereas data collected through FGD, interview, and document review were analyzed using a thematic analysis. The study revealed that the overall level of corruption in the land administration office is high. It also found that the forms of corruption range from petty to grand corruption due to the absence of transparency, accountability, limited farmers' participation, and the absence of clear land administration policies. Hence, implementing the ethical code of conduct, training to the land committees, land desk, and land tribunals, and on-time solution to complaints are stated as recommendations.

Research Article, 2016

Public Private Partnership refers to a mutual arrangement between government or the public sector... more Public Private Partnership refers to a mutual arrangement between government or the public sector and a private entity for better provision of public infrastructure and services. This study was conducted in Addis Ababa Unified Billing System with the aim of assessing the status of public private partnership in the area. the design of this research was cross-sectional involved qualitative and quantitative data type. A total of 375 participants were selected through probability and non-probability sampling technique, 4 officials were interviewed using an in-depth interview tool, and data from 367 customers of Unified Billing System were collected through questionnaire. Data were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. The result of the study indicated that Unified Billing System is found in a good mood and the actors have their own defined roles. Even though there are challenges like absences awareness creation trainings, the poor infrastructure of Ethio-telecom to Unified Billing System has a positive impact on the area of service delivery. The study revealed that there is a policy and research implication on public private partnership and understanding of the rules that govern the relationship of concerning actors.

Research Article

Public Private Partnership (PPP) is a public instruments in which the private sector participates... more Public Private Partnership (PPP) is a public instruments in which the private sector participates in the provision of infrastructure and services. It involves a contract for a private entity to deliver public infrastructure-based services. This study was conducted in Addis Ababa exhibition Center and Market Development Enterprise with the major aim of assessing the challenges and prospects of implementing of PPP in the study area. This study employed cross-sectional research design based on descriptive survey that involved collecting, analyzing, interpreting quantitative and qualitative data while conducting the study at a point. In the study, quantitative and qualitative data types were employed. A total of 30 participants were selected through probability and non-probability sampling technique, and 5 officials were interviewed using an in-depth interview tool. In addition to this, surveys of 25 of questionnaire were collected from Addis Ababa exhibition Center and Market development Enterprise organizers. Data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. The result of the study indicated that status of the infrastructure of the exhibition center and market enterprise is low.

Article, 2016

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is linking formally public and private sectors for effective ser... more Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is linking formally public and private sectors for effective service delivery. This study was conducted in Ethiopia with the major aim of assessing the drivers and enabling environments for public-private partnerships. The study employed qualitative method and a total of 8(eight) officials were interviewed using an in-depth interview tool. Data were analyzed using thematic data analysis technique. The result of the study indicated that the status of public-private partnership in Ethiopia is found at its lowest level due to the absence of enabling environments like lack of specific public-private partnership frameworks, lack of technical units, and unsafe financial systems to list the few. So, the federal government should promulgate these frameworks and train experts to improve the status of public-private partnership in the country. The finding has its own implication for public-private partnership practice at different levels, and on further studies.

Article, 2018

This cross-sectional descriptive research study investigated the involvement of the unaccompanied... more This cross-sectional descriptive research study investigated the involvement of the unaccompanied minors in irregular migration in Eastern Zone of Tigray National Regional State, using primary and secondary data sources. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive analysis whereas the data collected through interview and secondary sources were analyzed using thematic analysis. The push factors for the involvement of children in irregular migration were economic and social problems in their home country whereas the pull factors were better income and job opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Findings showed that heavy costs of transport, inability to repay loan, difficulty of adapting to Saudi Arabia"s environment, social discrimination, physical and sexual abuses were negative consequences of irregular migration on the unaccompanied minors. The lack of implementing the existing anti-irregular migration laws, lack of awareness creation trainings on the effect of irregular migration, and the complex tactics of smugglers were challenges limiting reduction in the involvement of minor"s in irregular migration. It also found that "proclamation no. 909/2015" is more of curative than preventive. The study recommended job creation, awareness creation/ training, taking effective measures on the smugglers, and modifying the "proclamation no 909/2015" in a preventive approach would reduce the irregular migration.

This study assessed the challenges and policy frameworks of good governance practices in rural la... more This study assessed the challenges and policy frameworks of good governance practices in rural land administration.
The design adopted was the cross sectional descriptive research design, with mixed approach and primary and
secondary sources. Primary data was obtained through questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions,
whereas secondary data involved reviewing literature from journals and legal frameworks. The study also adopted
the purposive and systematic sampling techniques. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics,
whereas the qualitative were analyzed using thematic analysis. This study found that corruption and rent seeking
behavior, absence of implementing the given code of conduct, ineffective complaint hearing mechanisms, and lack
of qualified personnel, were the challenges in rural land administration. Moreover, unsuitable land laws, lack of
clarity of land allocation, lack of committed land administration officials, lack of motivation to the land
administration committees and land tribunals at the tabia and kushet level, were also other challenges in rural land
administration. Strengthening the woreda complaint hearing offices through delivering ‘on job training’ and ‘off job
training’, and revising the land law that dictates age based land allocation to the farmers, to family number based
allocation that assures the need of the farmers, were stated as recommendations.
Keywords: Governance; Good Governance; Rural Land; Land Administration; Land Proclamation

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