SPNA Review

Bioscience and Economic Development: The Grand Rapids ‘Medical Mile’

Emily Vander Woude — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:08:53 PDT

Michigan Street hill in Grand Rapids, Michigan has been dubbed the ‘Medical Mile’ because of the recent developments related to medical research and health care at this location. The impact of this growth is sure to change the face of Grand Rapids, but it is not clear how it will impact the economic situation there. Many other cities around the country and around the globe are putting investment into the bioscience, biotechnology, or life sciences sectoral strategy hoping that it will have a profound effect on their economic vitality. In this paper, I explore theoretical and practical perspectives on the crucial components that create a thriving bioscience cluster. After examining the broader international and national trends of success, this paper evaluates the collective impact of the biosciences on the Grand Rapids area through an assessment of the opportunities and constraints involved in the process. This paper was originally submitted in a Masters level Economic Development course, but it is being further developed as the Grand Rapids “Medical Mile” unfolds as one of Michigan’s primary economic drivers. The most recent draft was submitted in April 2008 in the Public Management Seminar course required for completion of a Masters degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Health Administration. It expands on the conditions and infrastructure of the Grand Rapids economic development strategy through the lens of the economic philosophy of “Wikinomics.” It delves into the changes that have occurred over the past year and examines what lies ahead.

Using Tranparency to Regulate in the Age of Technology: A Case Study of the Childcare Business in Kent County, Michigan

Susan Toman — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:08:50 PDT

In the shadow of a mountain of scandalous behavior exhibited by both government and business, it is easy to lose trust that any regulatory method can be effective. Transparency holds promise as a means to hold business and government accountable; particularly when both mandatory and voluntary disclosure are driven and shaped by their intended audience: Consumer/customer, employee, supplier, regulator or investor. With the beginning of the Obama Presidency, there is hope for increased governmental legislation and support for disclosure in all sectors (Obama, 2008). Transparency first was a term adopted by the business community to “describe the obligation to disclose basic financial information…” (Tapscott, 2005). Transparency has strong supporters regarding financial information. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was enacted to increase transparency in corporations. High-level officials in the financial market support transparency. SEC chairman Christopher Cox has proposed a requirement that companies disclose the pay of all highly compensated employees, including nonexecutives. “I have a feeling that when people are forced to undress in public, they’ll pay more attention to their figures” (Krunacher, 2006). Transparency has come to encompass far more than financial disclosure. “People and institutions that interact with firms are gaining unprecedented access to all sorts of information about corporate behavior, operations and performance…The corporation is becoming naked” (Tapscott, 2005). The internet provides a new tool for transparency involving the potential for dialog between government and business and their various constituencies. Transparency could become a two-way street in which public services are responsive to service users as well as answerable to them” (Stirton, Lodge 2001). Transparency can give the public the ability to watch what is truly happening in government, in business, in schools, and all the places in which there is a vested public interest. It can act as a stimulus for good behavior. As Jeremy Bentham said, “The more strictly we are watched, the better we behave.” (The Bentham Project, 2007)

Public-Private Partnerships in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS: A Case Study of Botswana

Franziska Rook — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:08:48 PDT

Since the late 1990s, public-private partnerships in the health care field have increasingly been applied. Driven by a common goal, actors from the public, private, and third sector work together in partnerships. This paper will analyze an initiative that is aimed at providing nationwide access to HIV/AIDS treatment in Botswana. Very prominent members of the private and third sector, namely the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Merck, Inc./Merck Company Foundation, are supporting the partnership. Botswana was chosen as the pilot country because its President, Festus Mogae, demonstrated outspoken leadership in the fight against AIDS. AIDS has had devastating effects, especially for sub-Saharan Africa, where 68 percent of all worldwide infected live. The virus has destroyed families and economies; it orphaned 15.2 million children worldwide, among them 12 million in sub- Saharan Africa, and led many to believe that a national strategy to combat the disease is not feasible (UNICEF, n.d.). Despite the criticism, the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnership (ACHAP) was launched in 2000 and has been extended until 2009. The program has tremendous resources, yet it took some time to get off the ground. As of late 2006, 72.2 percent of all Botswanese eligible for treatment are receiving the life-prolonging medication, which is provided by Merck at no cost. The partnership continues to grow and expand its role model character in the worldwide fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Divide of the Coca Leaf: National Culture and the Drug Policies of Bolivia and the United States

Megan Koops — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:08:46 PDT

While the United States and Bolivian cultures have different values, attitudes and norms, these differences have not been a major factor in determining the aid Bolivia receives from the United States (US). Now, President Morales, a former union leader for coca leaf growers, has refused to comply with US foreign policy to eradicate the coca leaf, creating political and cultural tension. This paper examines the US and Bolivian relationship as a case study through Schein’s organizational cultural theory and Adler’s culture theory to determine how Bolivia’s battle to save the coca leaf may affect the aid it receives from the US government and nonprofits.

Commercialization in Nonprofits: Tainted Value?

Judith L. Bosscher — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:08:44 PDT

The nonprofit sector is viewed as one of value and voice for those in need, but the trend of commercialism is resulting in questioning such virtues for the sector and its role in civil society. For the most part, commercialization has a stigma attached to it in relationship with the nonprofit sector. Are the lines too blurred? Is the mission lost? What does this mean for maintaining civil society? These are all questions surrounding the practice of commercialism. This paper explores the growing utilization of commercial activity within the nonprofit sector and its potential effects, both beneficial and harmful. The first section introduces commercialization and takes a brief look at the concept itself through the current environment and practice. The section continues with an overview of contributing factors – specifically revenue sources and relationships driving the change in practice; benefits and risks; and a focus on the mission. The second section discusses future implications commercialization has on the nonprofit sector and on civil society, followed by concluding thoughts.

Editorial Comment

Danny L. Balfour — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:08:42 PDT

Public-Private Partnerships: Did a Potentially Useful Concept Sink in the “Muddle of Ideas"?

Rafal Hejne — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:04:49 PST

Budget cuts, budgets deficits, budget overruns, and limited budgets constitute the reality of today’s public sector. This is not only a problem of scarce resources for new investments but the public sector is also struggling with maintaining assets and services at current levels. Therefore, public managers try to look at alternative solutions which may provide answers to present problems. Public-Private Partnerships seem to offer a good solution to budget deficits and inefficient operations. The framework introduces private sector resources and/or expertise as a partner in order to help, provide, and deliver public sector assets and services. It bonds private and public sector for the period of 20-30 years. Some say it is an excellent idea as it enables investments which otherwise would be never procured and it does not strain the budget. Others oppose it and say someday the bill will have to be paid off, and it will turn out to be much more expensive than a traditional procurement. Moreover, they say, it is a waste of taxpayers’ money as PPPs don’t bring efficiencies and are done in favor of private partner. The dispute grows and along with that the concept sinks in the muddle of ideas which often are false statements. Therefore, there is a need to talk more about the PPP arrangements and try to draw the true picture of it, in order to help public manager obtain comprehensive knowledge which will facilitate decision whether PPP should be conducted or not. The author of this paper looked at the dispute, tried to refresh the concept of PPP, and give an objective evaluation of it. It turned out to that it is hard to give one precise answer whether PPPs are worthy of public attention. However, there are some useful suggestions which can be drawn from the jumbled discussion.

Public Support of the Arts in Michigan

Melia Tourangeau — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:04:49 PST

With the loss in jobs and economic stress in Michigan, arts organizations have seen dramatic decline in corporate and individual support. The Michigan legislature in 2004 was faced with a deficit of over $925 million (Bartik and Erickcek, 2005). All areas of the government have been cut including state funding for arts and cultural institutions through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). While attendance is still strong, performing arts institutions have seen significant shifts since 2001 from subscription packages to single ticket sales, indicating limited resources for many people. Today, MCACA is the smallest it has ever been since its inception in 1991. Its budget is less than half of its budget in 2003, and support to its arts organizations has consequently been cut in half as well. Because of the creation of MCACA as a state granting agency, most arts and cultural organizations in Michigan do not receive support from local municipalities. The future of MCACA is currently under great threat and if it were to disappear, financially strapped local municipalities would find it difficult to provide funding for the arts. As Michigan shifts from an economy dependent on manufacturing to one focused on entrepreneurial high-tech industries, communities must find ways to attract and retain the best talent to this region. The quality of arts and cultural offerings will be a significant driver for people to make a life decision to move to and stay in Michigan. For this reason, public support for the arts must continue. How can the funding continue and what can be done to secure its future? These are the questions to be explored in this paper.

Tax Credits and Health Insurance for the Self-Employed

Adam Buchalski — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:04:48 PST

This paper will look at how tax credits can help increase the affordability of health insurance among the self-employed in this country. Two of the problems involving health insurance are having enough and being able to afford it. These issues are especially true if you are part of the self-employed population in this country. Many of the self-employed have dropped health coverage or reduced it in the past few years due to rising costs About 24 million of American small business employees and their families are uninsured according to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The research shows that if the self-employed could afford health insurance for their employees the number of uninsured would decrease. The government needs to step in to help make health insurance affordable for the working uninsured. The government has made some proposals that would help lower the costs of health insurance such as, Health Savings Account’s, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s), and President Bush’s Tax Credit Proposal. In my paper I will look at theses as options for helping the self-employed afford health insurance and give my recommendation for a tax credit proposal.

Trying to find a way to make health insurance affordable for the self-employed interests me because I have relatives who are self-employed. These relatives pay a high premium for health insurance that is not nearly as comprehensive a plan that you would get from an employer-sponsored plan. Why should someone be subjected to unfair pricing just because they have decided to work for themselves? Many of these countries corporations started out as self-employed entrepreneurs that grew. Offering the self-employed segment of the population a way to afford quality health insurance can only be done with the government’s help.

Recognizing the Paradox: Restructuring an Intentionally Multinational-North American NGO

Heidi Deroo — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:04:48 PST

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) that exists to serve both international and North American constituents. This dual purpose mission is examined in light of Lindenberg and Bryant’s Three Stage Theory and Morgan’s metaphor of organizations as organisms. In “Going Global” (Lindenberg & Bryant, 2001) the Three Stage Theory suggests that all INGOs go through three distinct stages of increasing international influence while “Images of Organization” (Morgan, 1998) suggests that one metaphor for understanding organizations is as organisms that follow no pre-described process but constantly adapt to their surroundings in response to environmental changes. This paper merges these two concepts to show that CRWRC would improve its ability to accomplish both its goals by restructuring to become more international in its governance.

Editorial Comment

Danny L. Balfour — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:04:47 PST

Economic Development Potential Of The Krakow Region

Alicja Boryczko — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:04:47 PST

Analyzing economic development potential and activities in a region requires identifying factors essential for a successful strategy and analyzing the locale in terms of its resources and relative position within a broader economic environment. In order to examine Krakow’s opportunities and steps already taken, it is necessary to analyze the region’s strengths and weaknesses and relate the findings to academic theories on high technology’s role in economic development and then evaluate the results in the context of Poland.The Krakow Region, located in southern Poland, prides itself as a dynamically developing center of advanced technologies and unmatched business climate. High technology, or high-tech economic development, has been incorporated into regional plans and strategies as most promising component of the region’s development. Hence, this paper’s intention is to look at the process of economic development based on high technology and compare the theoretic findings with the reality and practice of the Region of Krakow. The analysis presented in this paper identifies the region’s strengths and weaknesses. It is found that despite the academic potential and multiple efforts to stimulate economic development based on advanced technologies, Krakow faces considerable challenges. These are the leadership of Warsaw, weak relationships between business and science and, consequently, insufficient application of research outcomes to economic practice. Recommendations to overcome these threats and weaknesses are presented in the final section.

Analysis Of The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention And Consumer Protection Act Of 2005 (BAPCPA)

Rachel Ruser — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:19:23 PST

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA) was signed into law on April 20, 2005. The new legislation is the largest overhaul of the bankruptcy system since its enactment in 1978. One main purpose of the new legislation is to prevent fraudulent bankruptcy filings as the new law makes filing chapter 7 bankruptcies more difficult. This analysis looks at the major amendments made to the bankruptcy system and the effects on the bankruptcy courts in the United States. A literature review was conducted and found that the new legislation is viewed as being creditor friendly. Many effects of the new legislation can be seen upon enactment of the bankruptcy reform act. However, it is too early to determine the effects of the new legislation on society as a whole until more research is conducted after the October 17, 2005 effective date of the act.

A Budgetary Process Of Michigan State Parks

Kimberly Ann Langley — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:19:22 PST

This analysis addresses issues of budgeting in Michigan State Parks. Understanding the budgetary process is key, especially with the current state of the economy. Today, the Michigan State Park system is 4.5 million dollars in debt, and there is no relief in sight. For the last past 3 years, increases in state park fees have been seen. However, these increases can no longer go on forever. Something other than fee increases must occur to save the Michigan State Park system. There is currently discussion about closing some Michigan State Parks because the state cannot afford to keep them open. Hundreds of thousands of acres of natural land may no longer be preserved for future generations. This analysis focuses on the budget of two distinct state parks to determine if something can be changed to budget more efficiently and effectively for the future. This study examines the budget process, revenues, expenditures, internal controls, capital expenditures, budget execution, and makes recommendations for improvement.

Evaluating Public School Funding In Michigan And The Impact Of Proposal A

Anne-Marie Bessette — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:19:21 PST

“The scope of reductions under consideration by the Grand Rapids Public School Board should be a wake-up call for the entire community. We can no longer expect business as usual—what was once unimaginable now becomes reality.” - Grand Rapids Education Reform Initiative.

While it is a national trend that public schools are struggling financially, each state has a unique situation due to different funding practices. The budget problems are often blamed on poor money management: too many administrators, too high levels of salaries, extra cost in working with unions, excessive benefits. As for Grand Rapids Public Schools, there are four reasons for the financial crisis: State funding, declining enrollment, high needs student population, and increasing costs of employee benefits which are mandated by the State.

This paper analyzes the funding issues of the Grand Rapids Public Schools by looking at the history of how school funding has changed with the creation of Proposal A—how revenues are collected and distributed, and how Proposal A has been modified since inception. In analyzing the issues surrounding what seems to be an unfixable budget problem, two questions arise: Is state funding meeting the needs of the students in Michigan? And, is there need for a policy change?

After School Policy In The State Of Michigan

Erica Curry — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:19:21 PST

Young people spend just 20 percent of their waking hours in school. Nationwide, 28 million children between the ages of 6 and 17 have parents who work outside the home. These children need care and supervision before and after school, over the summer, and during school breaks. Often, the supply does not meet the demand, and many of the children are not able to get the care and supervision they need. In fact, lack of funding is causing many school-age programs to reduce services or to shut down completely. The lack of care is not without consequences. This paper examines PA 116, a policy that has had a significant influence on regulating after school program services in the state of Michigan and the impact of tying child day care licensing to after school funding. Three central questions are at the heart of the policy debate surrounding the regulatory oversight of after school programs in the state of Michigan: First, what is the purpose of after-school programs? Second, how do we define and measure quality? Third, how do we structure funding to support after school program services? These questions are explored in depth and the analysis concludes with a set of recommendations regarding the regulation of after school programs in the state of Michigan.

From Service To Solidarity: Evaluation And Recommendations For International Service Learning

Melissa Baker-Boosamra — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:19:20 PST

For service learning pedagogy to live up to its fullest and most authentic potential, educators must address the pitfalls of privilege that often go unexamined in relationships between groups of affluent university students and underprivileged populations that service learning programs traditionally seek to “serve.” In order to address dynamics of power and privilege inherent in any relationship between those who “give service” and those who are “served”, a relationship of honesty, reciprocity and mutuality must be established and promoted between those two groups. This study is an effort to further establish such a relationship by fully involving Salvadoran partners in the evaluation of the Grand Valley State University School of Social Work Service Learning program in El Salvador. This evaluation has been conducted in order to more learn from Grand Valley’s international partners, and to include their voices in further development of the program. As a result of the response from Salvadorans stakeholders, this paper seeks to further investigate the distinction between the ideas of service and solidarity, and the ways in which solidarity can contribute to larger social change and potentially diminish the need for “service” altogether.

Editorial Comment

Danny L. Balfour — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:19:19 PST

Capital Budgeting from a Local Government Perspective

Jill Wendorf — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:14:27 PST

In this analysis, I examine the impacts of a capital budget plan on a local government unit, focusing on the process involved in creating, developing, and implementing a capital budget, despite its difficulties. Through a recent survey, capital expenditures account for twenty percent of local government spending in the United States, therefore certifying the need for careful analysis of current and future spending. This analysis documents a systematic plan for local government units to follow for the implementation of the capital budget process, linking it to the municipality’s strategic goals, and also describes the various methods for funding the proposed plan.

Economic Environment and Applications of Telemedicine

Shahryar Oliai — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:14:25 PST

Telemedicine is broadly defined as the transmission of electronic medical data across a distance among hospitals, clinicians, and/or patients. This definition is deliberately unlimited to what kind of information is transmitted, how the information is transmitted, or how the information is used once received (HCAB, 2003). Telemedicine has the potential of making a greater positive effect on the future of healthcare and medicine than any other modality. Fueled by advances in multiple technologies such as digital communications, full-motion/compressed video, and telecommunications, providers see an unprecedented opportunity to provide access to high-quality care, independent of distance or location.