RAND Research Topic: Public Sector Governance 2012-05-24T21:12:09Z Copyright (c) 2012, The RAND Corporation RAND Corporation http://www.rand.org/topics/public-sector-governance.html RAND Provides Insight into National Flood Insurance Reform Proposals http://www.rand.org/gulf-states/policy-spotlights/flood-insurance-reforms.html May 18, 2012 May 18, 2012 FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program writes the vast majority of flood insurance on residential properties in the United States; current legislation includes a number of reforms that could strengthen the program. RAND has completed studies in four key areas that offer insight into the issues under consideration. Assessing the Effectiveness of Conditional Cash Transfers as a Development Mechanism http://www.rand.org/randeurope/research/projects/conditional-cash-transfers.html May 3, 2012 May 3, 2012 Conditional cash transfer programs (CCTs) are seen as particularly effective in low- and middle-income countries, but relatively little is known about the interface between the supply of services and program administration and specific human development outcomes. RAND Europe is assessing the effectiveness of CCTs, through a two-year grant from UK Economic Social Research Council and Department for International Development. Improving Governance of Social Assistance in ASEAN Countries http://www.rand.org/randeurope/research/projects/asean-governance.html Apr 5, 2012 Apr 5, 2012 Efforts to improve human development outcomes in Southeast Asia are often hindered by problems with the governance of social assistance programs. The World Bank commissioned RAND Europe to develop a toolkit on how to improve governance in ASEAN countries. How Did the Financial Crisis Affect the U.S. Civil Justice System? http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP353.html Mar 5, 2012 Mar 5, 2012 A preliminary assessment of the impact of the financial crisis on the civil justice system finds that litigation demands on some parts of the system have increased, that funding for state courts may be trending downward, and that there have been disruptions in the legal services economy, in the provision of legal aid, and in the operation and staffing of courts. Analysis of Government Accountability Office Bid Protests in Air Force Source Selections over the Past Two Decades http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR883.html Feb 22, 2012 Feb 22, 2012 To summarize trends and identify factors contributing to bid protest activity and outcomes in Air Force procurements, the authors assembled data from Air Force administrative databases on procurement activity and protests and developed statistical models to analyze bid protests. Government Accountability Office Bid Protests in Air Force Source Selections: Evidence and Options — Executive Summary http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1077.html Feb 22, 2012 Feb 22, 2012 Recent bid protests have caused large disruptions in resource and operational planning in the Air Force, even leading to the cancellation of the Combat Search and Rescue helicopter program. Some tactics that the Air Force could use to counter such protests in the future include simplifying and clarifying selection criteria and priorities, explaining how its cost estimates are developed, and involving attorneys in external review of bids. Government Accountability Office Bid Protests in Air Force Source Selections: Evidence and Options http://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/DB603.html Feb 22, 2012 Feb 22, 2012 Recent bid protests have caused large disruptions in resource and operational planning in the Air Force, even leading to the cancellation of the Combat Search and Rescue helicopter program. Some tactics that the Air Force could use to counter such protests in the future include simplifying and clarifying selection criteria and priorities, explaining how its cost estimates are developed, and involving attorneys in external review of bids. Evaluation of Drug and Alcohol "Payment by Results" Pilots http://www.rand.org/randeurope/research/projects/drug-alcohol-recovery-programme-evaluation.html Feb 13, 2012 Feb 13, 2012 RAND Europe is conducting an independent evaluation of the Department of Health's drug and alcohol recovery payment-by-results pilots to determine whether market forces can encourage the development of better recovery programmes. Fiscal Consolidation and Budget Reform in Korea: The Role of the National Assembly http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP348.html Jan 19, 2012 Jan 19, 2012 Budgetary pressures imposed by Korea's rapidly aging population and declining fertility rates underscore the urgency of a medium-term fiscal consolidation framework. The author presents a plan for fiscal consolidation and budget reform in which a new parliamentary budget process would be established, centered on a fiscally constrained budget resolution that would be scheduled for adoption prior to consideration of revenue or spending bills. Spotlight on 2011 http://www.rand.org/pubs/corporate_pubs/CP531-2011.html Jan 19, 2012 Jan 19, 2012 RAND Europe's annual report, Spotlight 2011, focuses on selected present and past RAND Europe signature research. With 2012 being our 20th anniversary year, the report features some of our most recent work while reflecting on how RAND Europe has developed and remained relevant over the last two decades. It also highlights selected research and corporate activity in 2011. Toward Standardization of Benefit-Cost Analysis of Early Childhood Interventions http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP20120029.html Jan 1, 2012 Jan 1, 2012 The objective of this paper is to delineate a set of standards for conducting benefit-cost analyses (BCAs) of early childhood programs. Is Publicly Funded R&D Investment the Best Way Out of the European Financial Crisis? http://www.rand.org/commentary/2011/11/29/RF.html Nov 29, 2011 Nov 29, 2011 Publicly funded R&D investment is a coherent policy to support long term economic growth. Our only note of caution is about how far and how fast that growth can be delivered because the evidence we have is out of date and skewed towards the experience of just one country, write Jonathan Grant and Jon Sussex. Evaluating the Sustainability of the Greek R&D System http://www.rand.org/pubs/documented_briefings/DB631.html Oct 10, 2011 Oct 10, 2011 An evaluation by RAND Europe of the Greek research and development (R&D) system has identified opportunities to improve economic growth and social outcomes. Evaluating the Sustainability of the Greek R&D System http://www.rand.org/news/press/2011/10/10.html Oct 9, 2011 Oct 9, 2011 An evaluation by RAND Europe of the Greek research and development (R&D) system has identified opportunities to improve economic growth and social outcomes. Agency, Governance, and Performance in the Securities Industry http://www.rand.org/pubs/rgs_dissertations/RGSD284.html Oct 6, 2011 Oct 6, 2011 Examines the economics of financial firms, their governance practices, and governance-performance links. Policy Spotlight: RAND Work Provides Insight Into Federal Disaster Recovery Reforms http://www.rand.org/gulf-states/policy-spotlights/stafford-act-reforms.html Oct 1, 2011 Oct 1, 2011 Recent proposed reforms to the Stafford Act (improving disaster recovery capability) and the National Disaster Recovery Framework (a guide to cooperation between federal agencies) cluster around five key areas where RAND has relevant studies offering additional insight and context. Analysis of Subnational Government in Afghanistan Identifies Opportunities for Improvement http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP318.html Aug 10, 2011 Aug 10, 2011 The existing subnational government across Afghanistan is too centralized and weak to fulfill two basic requirements of legitimacy: effective service provision and representation. Opportunities for improvement are outlined for international actors hoping to strengthen local government in recently cleared areas. Data strategies for policymaking: Identifying international good practice: Final report http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR769.html May 19, 2011 May 19, 2011 This report provides an overview of international good practice in using data for policymaking. It develops a conceptual framework for analysing data strategies and provides examples of good practice in data management from thirteen case studies. Targeted Help on Skills and Training Is a 'Win-Win' for European Policymakers http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG1068.html Apr 20, 2011 Apr 20, 2011 The economic crisis of 2008 undid much of Europe's progress in employment and economic growth over the previous 20 years. A RAND Europe study proposes that European institutions should focus on policies that support the most vulnerable groups in society in order to grow employment and reduce income inequality. Monitoring and Evaluation in Stabilisation Interventions: Rationale, challenges and principles of effective monitoring and evaluation http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9583.html Apr 6, 2011 Apr 6, 2011 Reviews the state of the art in monitoring and evaluation of stabilisation operations and suggests ways forward.