Copyright (c) 2009 Grand Valley State University All rights reserved. http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview Recent documents in SPNA Review en-us Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:54:50 PDT 3600 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/6 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/6 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. Emily Vander Woude Public Administration Economics http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/5 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/5 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 performanceThe 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) Susan Toman Public Administration http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/4 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/4 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. Franziska Rook Non-profit administration http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/3 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/3 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. Megan Koops Public Administration http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/2 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/2 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. Judith L. Bosscher Non-profit Administration http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/1 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol5/iss1/1 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:08:42 PDT Danny L. Balfour http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol3/iss1/5 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol3/iss1/5 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. Rafal Hejne Non-profit Administration http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol3/iss1/6 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol3/iss1/6 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. Melia Tourangeau Non-profit Administration http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol3/iss1/3 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol3/iss1/3 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. Adam Buchalski Social Work http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol3/iss1/4 http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/spnareview/vol3/iss1/4 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. Heidi Deroo Non-profit Administration