Local government can be defined as a public entity acting as the sub-unit of a state or of a region, charged with the task of enforcing public policies. There have been many reforms of local government in recent years from the grassroots-led movement that took root in the 90’s to the overarching effects of globalization and decentralization. Local governments must adapt their practices in order to most effectively provide for their constituents. Theoretical Foundations and Discussions on the Reformation Process in Local Government addresses the effects of recent reforms in the political-administrative system of local governments and politics as well as future outlooks. It reviews the challenges, innovations, and lessons from local governments while providing theoretical perspectives on methods for positive reform. This book is a critical reference source for policy makers, government organizations, professionals, and actors in both local and international politics.

The Routledge Handbook of International Local Government conducts a rigorous, innovative and distinctive analysis of local government within a comparative, international context. Examining the subject matter with unrivalled breadth and depth, this handbook shows how different cultures and countries develop different institutions, structures and processes over time, yet that all have some features in common – the most obvious of which is the recognition that some decisions are better made, some services better delivered, and some engagement with the state better organised if there is structured organisational expression of the importance of the local dimension of all these factors . Thematically organised, it includes contributions from international experts with reference to the wider context in terms of geographies, local government modes, recent developments and possible further lines of research. It has a wide academic appeal internationally and will steer a course between the two dimensions of mono-jurisdictional studies and ‘cataloguing’ forms of comparison. The Routledge Handbook of International Local Government will be essential reading and an authoritative reference for scholars, students, researchers and practitioners involved in, and actively concerned about, research on local government.

Global change and advancing technology have transformed the government sector with the use of information and communication technology to improve service delivery. The use of such technologies in electronic and mobile government services raises issues relating to security, privacy, and data protection. Security Frameworks in Contemporary Electronic Government is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on the application of special security requirements in electronic government transactions. While highlighting topics such as digital environments, public service delivery, and cybercrime, this publication explores the difficulties and challenges faced in implementing e-government technologies, as well as the different aspects of security in e-government. This book is ideally designed for policymakers, software developers, IT specialists, government officials, academicians, researchers, and students seeking current research on secure environments in electronic and mobile government.

This book addresses and explores recent trends in the field of local and urban governance. It focuses on three domains: institutional reforms in local government; inter-municipal cooperation; and citizen participation in local governance. In the last decades, in different regions of the world, there is ample evidence that sub-national government, in particular the field of local governance, is in a permanent state of change and reflux, although with differences that reflect national particularities. Since these institutional changes have an impact in the local policy process, in the delivery of public services, in the local democracy, and in the quality of life, it is mandatory to monitor these continued institutional changes, to learn and develop with these changes, if possible before these experiences are transferred and replicated in other countries. The editor and contributors address issues of interest for a wide audience, comprising of students and researchers in various disciplines, and policy makers at both national and sub-national tiers of government.

America has the reputation of being one of the wealthiest and most powerful countries in the world, yet within its borders social problems persist and negatively impact Americans. Though profound changes are taking place in the social, economic, and cultural contexts of America, they are precipitated by the urge for equal opportunity and social justice. Socio-Economic and Education Factors Impacting American Political Systems: Emerging Research and Opportunities provides emerging research on the most current issues facing the American public and political system. While highlighting the changes America is making in the social, economic, and cultural regions of society, readers will learn how these changes are coming to shape their lives in the country. This book is an important resource for undergraduate and graduate students and professionals seeking current research on how social, economic, and educational issues impact the American political system and policies.

Effective administration of government and governmental organizations is a crucial part of achieving success in those organizations. With the widespread knowledge and use of e-government, the intent and evaluation of its services continue to focus on meeting the needs and satisfaction of its citizens. Strategic Management and Innovative Applications of E-Government is a pivotal reference source that provides organizational and managerial directions, applications, and theoretical and philosophical discussions on current issues relating to the practice of electronic government. While highlighting topics such as citizen trust in government and smart government, this publication explores electronic government technology adoption, as well as the methods of government social media practices. This book is a vital reference source for policy makers, IT specialists, government professionals, academicians, researchers, and graduate-level students seeking current research on e-government applications.

In recent years, there has been an increased emphasis placed on the role of creativity and innovation in critical areas such as thinking and problem-solving, self-management, stress tolerance and flexibility, education, sustainability, and the new normal caused by COVID-19. Though creativity is a crucial cognitive skill and innovation is a requirement to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, these concepts must be thoroughly examined and considered as they are often misunderstood and underestimated. Achieving Sustainability Using Creativity, Innovation, and Education: A Multidisciplinary Approach discusses important issues surrounding human creativity and innovation as well as how education can develop cognitive abilities and skills and be improved to meet future challenges and demands using creativity and innovation. Covering topics such as creative leadership and problem-solving skills, it is ideal for practitioners, academicians, managers, policymakers, consultants, development specialists, researchers, instructors, and students.

As both a physical living space and emotional environment, cities impact human beings in a number of ways. These ways include but are not limited to the kinds of relationship that may exist among the varying categories of inhabitants of the city, the organization of and accessibility to leaning resources and facilities, the types and rates of migration impacting the city, the security level of the city, and the livelihood networks existing within the city. Learning Cities, Town Planning, and the Creation of Livelihoods is an essential research publication that explores livelihood types and lifelong learning typologies required by cities as well as the relationship between higher education and improved livelihood outcomes. Featuring a broad range of topics such as learning needs, economy, and technologically advanced societies, this book is ideally designed for policymakers, academicians, researchers, students, social workers, educators, politicians, and environmentalists.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected individuals and caused destabilization of households and business activities. In emerging economies, many sectors and companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are severely influenced by the reduction or cessation of economic activity. Overcoming the COVID-19 virus and allowing the world to heal will allow the economy to grow more resilient. First, however, we must understand that old managerial practices can no longer generate competitive advantage in the post-pandemic world. Public Health and Economic Resiliency in the Post-COVID-19 Era presents epidemiological studies of the COVID-19 pandemic, identifies the impacts it has on human health, and analyzes the impacts on public health and economy. This management tool also discusses the socio-economic human vulnerability related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Covering topics such as risk analysis, quality management systems, and therapeutic systems, this book is a dynamic resource for academic researchers and investigators, university professors, students, epidemiologists, health professionals, economists, managers, sociologists, physicians, policymakers, government officials, and academicians.

This book challenges the notion that bigger local government is always better. Whilst the central government in Britain has often supported increases in local government size, the book argues that this has been detrimental, and has caused the erosion of distinctive community identities that were previously represented by local authorities empowered to make significant local choices about services and future strategy. Drawing from national and international evidence, it offers an alternative narrative about the size, role, function and purpose of local government to that currently dominating policy discussion. It aims to provide readers who oppose size increases in local government with the evidence and arguments to influence change in their areas. The book will appeal to policymakers working in central and local government, as well as academics interested in public policy, public administration and local government.