Farhad Hossain

Leadership Through A Gender Lens: How Cultural Environments and Theoretical Perspectives Interact with Gender

The purpose of this article is to present a theoretical overview of what makes a leader effective using the theoretical lenses of behavioral and contingency theories and the theory of transformational leadership. We then analyze these theories from a gender perspective. The presence and effects of gender discrimination in the workplace, managerial and subordinate preconceptions and attitudes as identified in the current body of literature and the possible consequences for potential female leaders are discussed. Finally, the article turns to discuss the interaction between national and organizational culture and gender in terms of leadership opportunities. The aim of this article is to contribute to the discussion on the above areas and to provide a bringing together of perspectives so as to facilitate future research. This is a review article where we theoretically examine the gender context in leadership theory and practice with some illustrations from observation and experience.

Perspectives on Decentralization and Local Governance in Developing and Transitional Countries

The main aim of the article is to examine the emergence of decentralization as a strategy associated with Public Sector Reform in developing and transitional countries. In offering this discussion, the article introduces the focus of this special edition. In the article, we discuss issues such as the political underpinnings of decentralization, the influence of the private sector on decentralization in the public sector, and challenges which have emerged as a result of the implementation of decentralization initiatives in developing and transitional countries. The later sections of the article provide an overview of the articles that comprise this special edition.

Decentralisation, Service Delivery, and People's Perspectives: Empirical Observations on Selected Social Protection Programs in India

Decentralised governance is generally believed to facilitate pro-poor economic development. The process may however be captured by elite and become counterproductive if implemented without acknowledging the disparities in asset-ownerships and entitlements, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and building capacities at various levels. This paper evaluates delivery of various social protection programmes in two Indian states following different decentralisation mechanisms. Drawing on our empirical observations and research we argue that village panchayats need to incorporate mechanisms to enhance participation of the poor, and the women, in its institutions. This may enhance accountability and transparency in the functioning of panchayats and may make them more relevant to the deprived population.

Microfinance and the commercial banking system: Perspectives from Barbados

By adopting microfinance as a core component in their development aid programmes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other development groups aim to reduce poverty and also, raise the status of women and disadvantaged communities. Nevertheless, despite its enormous success in tackling poverty, the applicability of microfinance in formal banks remains a major challenge for developing countries where most of the worlds poor reside without access to banking facilities. The authors of this article posit that central banks and the banking sector, in general, can promote good and inclusive financial governance in developing countries by adopting microfinance practice and by integrating pro-poor policies into their banking systems. Focusing on the case of Barbados, the article examines the importance of microfinance for commercial banks. It is argued that the integration of microcredit into the banking and credit schemes of commercial banks and microfinance institutions is a key to promoting good governance.

Performance Appraisal or Praising Performance? The Culture of Rhetoric in Performance Management in Ghana Civil Service

This article examines the practice of performance appraisal as a critical element of administrative culture in the Ghana Civil Service (CS). It relies on three focus group discussions with senior civil servants to analyze the practice and its implications for performance of civil servants in Ghana. The article argues that: leadership seldom gives the needed attention to this administrative practice; the process lacks objectivity; it is fraught with superstition, spirituality, and fear; appraisers are rarely trained; and civil servants only become more interested in performance appraisals (PAs) during promotion-related interviews. The article therefore concludes that this process has become rhetoric rather than an important practice and that performance only gets praised rather than being appraised. The article recommends an overhaul of the PA system by integrating it into a holistic performance management program; integrating PA training into civil service mandatory training programs; and the revision and computerization of the PA system.

Financing the Poor: Can Microcredit Make a Difference? Empirical Observations from Bangladesh

Over the last three decades microcredit has gained enormous success in reducing poverty on a global scale. As an efficient financial mechanism, microcredit enables various governmental and non-governmental actors to realise the millennium development goals (MDGs). Based on our recent field-research on microfinance in central Bangladesh, this paper empirically examine and analyse the role of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in promoting rural livelihoods in the country. The study reflects on recent arguments against microcredit and shows that despite some criticisms, microfinance is making significant contribution in uplifting the livelihoods of disadvantaged rural communities.

Helping the Needy: Factors Influencing the Development of Microfinance in Barbados

As an effective financial tool for socio-economic development, today microfinance has gained enormous success in tackling poverty on a global scale and helping various governmental and non-governmental actors to achieve their Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Given the positive impact of microfinance on small business, agriculture, education, health, and other indicators of development, the practice of micro-credit is crucial to poverty alleviation, which is a key feature of many Caribbean government agendas. This article sheds light on how the governments in the Caribbean region have incorporated microfinance in their economic development efforts, reporting findings from our recent research conducted in Barbados. Drawing on contemporary practices, we examine the challenges faced by the microfinance sector within the Caribbean, with an emphasis on the Barbadian context.

Decentralized Recruitment and Selection in Thailand: Friend or Foe to Local Public Administration?

This article draws attention to the advantages and disadvantages derived from decentralized recruitment and selection for a form of local public administrative unit, the municipality. This was examined within the context of Thailand, a unitary transitional country where bureaucratization and centralization had been the norms in its public administrative system for centuries. It argues that local fiscal management and reformed local government structure would not be successful when executed by incompetent local civil servants. To summarize, recruitment and selection function as a “vacuum” and “filter” that organizations employ to obtain proficient and skilled human resources for their organizations. In Thailand at the local level, it appears that discussions of recruitment and selection functions barely disguise the inept procedures that occur in reality. These are grounded in actions looking towards recentralization, local-cronyism, and nepotism that have traditionally rooted and underpinned the Thai local administration in the area of personnel administration.

Understanding Administrative Culture: Some Theoretical and Methodological Remarks

The article highlights five aspects of administrative culture. It first describes different ways of conceptualizing administrative culture. The second aspect is the ontology of administrative culture, two views of which are presented. The first of these sees organizational culture as a dependent variable that can be manipulated and altered to reflect management and leadership preferences; the other views organizations as miniature societies reflecting broader societal culture. Change is more path dependent than rationally arranged at will. The third aspect of administrative culture concerns epistemology, focusing on how knowledge about culture is created, how a researcher may carry out inquiry, and what the inquiry is about. The fourth aspect – the axiology of administrative culture – concerns the appropriate administrative norms and ethical standards of public officials. Finally, the methodological aspect points to how to study and capture different aspects of administrative culture.

Financial Inclusion and Social Protection: A Case for India Post

Analysis of empirical evidence from three Indian states suggests that financial inclusion strategies may be inefficient if designed without accounting for the government social protection programmes. Social protection programmes generate additional needs for financial services among the poor, meeting which can also deepen the impact of such programmes. Being a government department and the largest financial service-providing network, India Post may be most suitably located to implement such synergistic strategies. An examination of the official data on India Post indicates that the approach of diversifying its financial products to target higher-end clients in largely urban areas may not be appropriate due to its competitive disadvantage. We argue that delivery of financial services through post offices, built around social protection, may contribute to financial inclusion in rural areas while improving revenues of India Post.