Governance and Society Review (GSR) is a double-blind, peer-reviewed, bi-annual journal published by the School of Governance and Society, University of Management & Technology, Lahore. GSR publishes research that contributes to the public administration theory, policy and practice. It widely covers the areas of public administration, public policies, service delivery, governance, and management in public organizations.
University of Management & Technology (UMT), Lahore
Arab Solutions to Arab Problems: A Critical Appraisal
This study seeks to answer the following research questions: What internal and external factors contribute to the persistent conflicts in Arab states, and to what extent can indigenous regional efforts lead to sustainable peace? Data for this study were collected from secondary sources, while content analysis was used for the analysis. The concept of "Arab solutions to Arab problems" is situated within the context of the growing regionalist argument among Arab states to resolve conflicts and other internal challenges without foreign assistance. This approach in finding solutions to the Arab problems is situated within the realist political strategy rooted in sovereignty, survival and power competition. It is argued that socio-economic and political inequality, long standing animosity among competing groups over state resources and power among others have influenced conflict. Furthermore, the influence of external factors often intersects with internal dynamics such as geopolitical interests, foreign interventions, economic pressures, and ideological exports, strategically leading to internal division among the competing groups within Arab nations. Lastly, this study recommends, among others things, that given the present conflict situation in many Arab nations, Arab solutions remain a determining factor in solving Arab problems.
Implementation of Citizen Participatory Audit: Establishing a Framework from Existing Structures
Citizen Participatory Auditing (CPA) incorporates the participation of general public within the accountability domain of the country under the umbrella of the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI). The implementation of Citizen Participatory Audit in the accountability mechanisms has just recently been accelerated in the policy matters of several democracies. While the initiation of this concept is still at an emerging stage, the implementation mechanisms are widely diversified and in need of amalgamative consideration. Therefore, this paper creates a methodological framework for the implementation of the nascent Citizen Participatory Audit initiative in Pakistan that has gained traction under the Auditor General of Pakistan. The initiation of CPA is explored in this paper under the context of Pakistan’s Public Sector Auditing while making ground for the establishment of a framework for effective implementation of Community Participation. The paper analyzes the current arrangement of Citizen Participation in Audit to explore the creation of a framework that utilizes the current structures that would aid in design of an effective community-influenced auditing framework. The established framework follows a traditional Input, Process and Output configuration that incorporates the structures and entities at the Input-Output level and the procedures and evaluations for audit in the Process category. The paper cements a broader implementation of the Framework that can be adjusted to various levels of the government. The replication of the CPA Framework can be adjusted and modeled around various democracies’ public sector accountability institutions due to the similarities of its domain.
Copyright (c) 2026 Munim Matin Afridi, Naghma Sherin Afridi, Shaukat Ali
Judicial Corruption in Pakistan: Causes, Consequences and Solutions
This paper identifies causes, effects and potential outcomes of judicial corruption concerning system, economy, and culture in Pakistan. In the present study, semi-structured interviews of participants such as judges, lawyers, and citizens were conducted to gain improved understanding of the nature and mechanisms of factors leading to corruption within the judiciary. The study reveals that political influence, ineffective measures of accountability, low compensation, and corruption as business as usual is distorting the judiciary. This study also looks into the impacts of corruption in society, such as reduced social trust, heightened social disparities, limited economic growth and worst of all, dwindling governance. The research applies thematic analysis to systematically analyze patterns and themes that participants in the study presented. These insights also further the understanding of judicial corruption and lays down a framework that can be used in future in an attempt to increase the transparency, accountability and credibility of the judiciary of Pakistan.
Copyright (c) 2025 Quratulain Akram, Maham Qadir
Effect of Public Policies on Small, and Medium Enterprises Development in North Central Nigeria
The study examined the effect of public policies, specifically tax reform, on the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in North Central Nigeria. The study adopted the Institutional Theory as its theoretical framework, which posits that economic growth is generated internally through factors like innovation and investment in human capital, influenced by policy. The research utilized both survey and documentary research designs to gather comprehensive data. The population of the study comprised all registered SMEs in the six states of North Central Nigeria and the FCT, totaling 15,800 enterprises. A sample of 390 SME owners and managers was selected using the Taro Yamane formula for sample size determination. Both primary and secondary methods were used to collect data for the study; primary data was gathered through structured questionnaires, while secondary data was sourced from publications by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). A quantitative statistical technique, specifically hierarchical multiple regression analysis, was used to analyze the data and test the formulated hypotheses. The major findings revealed that fiscal incentives do not have a statistically significant effect on the profitability of SMEs. It was also revealed that access to credit schemes, as currently implemented, has no significant impact on the market share growth of these enterprises. It further revealed that the entrepreneurial training programs provided by government agencies do not significantly influence the level of innovation within SMEs. The study concluded that despite the existence of various public policies aimed at fostering SME development, there is a significant disconnect between policy intent and actual outcomes, suggesting that the current policy mechanisms are ineffective in driving SME growth in the region. The study recommended, among others, a fundamental redesign of policy implementation and monitoring frameworks to ensure they are targeted, performance-based, and address the specific, on-the-ground challenges faced by SMEs.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ibrahim Mohammed Gaddafi, Oboromeni Weinoh, Mavis B. Madu, Aminat Abdulrasheed, A
Low Preference Towards the Use of Public Transport: A Case Study of Females of Lahore
This study delves into the underlying reasons why women in Lahore prefer private vehicles over public transport, despite the latter being available. Comfort stands out as a major factor; private vehicles provide a level of comfort and security that public transport doesn't seem to. These factors collectively contribute to females’ reluctance to use public transportation. The research identifies a few other interlinked issues that reinforce this trend. First, the inadequacy of public transport infrastructure suggests compelling hurdles for women. Second, concerns about harassment and safety instigate women's choice to avoid public transportation. Last, the shortage of public vehicles, which leads to overcrowding and unreliable service, further deters female passengers from using public transport. The quantitative methodology is used to understand the gravity of this issue through surveys. The sample for this study is 384 females from Lahore. For analysis, the research uses descriptive statistics, along with more advanced techniques such as regression analysis, hypothesis testing, and ANOVA, to explore the relationship between dependent and independent variables and to validate the study's hypotheses. The analysis was conducted using SPSS software. The study concludes by proposing approaches to address the challenges identified, suggesting potential solutions to improve public transport services for females in Lahore.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zarafshan Ali, Muhammad Bilawal Azam