Public Administration and Regional Studies

Relevance Of Studies On Natural Risks In Urban Planning And Territorial Management Operations. Case Study - Municipality Of Carei, Satu Mare County

2026-01-19T13:53:14+02:00

The study analyses the importance of integrating natural risks into urban planning and territorial management processes, with application to the municipality of Carei. The main categories of risks are highlighted: climatological (heatwaves, drought, hail), edaphic (soil degradation), hydrological (groundwater pollution), atmospheric (pollution), and seismic (low risk). The document emphasizes that the effects of climate change and the pressure of anthropogenic activities, necessitating prevention, adaptation, and protection measures affect the municipality of Carei. The study provides data from fieldwork and official sources (ANM, ANPM), also presenting strategic proposals for effective community response. The conclusion underlines the importance of risk-based spatial planning to support sustainable, safe, and responsible development.

Current Trends in Innovating Public Administration

2026-01-19T13:53:27+02:00

Today, more than ever before, public administration around the world seems to understand that its future development(s) rests on collaborations and innovative co-creation with enterprises, civil society, and citizens. The fundamental principle of delivering accessible, inclusive, and high-quality public services remains essentially a top priority in an era of radical and fast-evolving phenomena. To achieve this goal, public administration’s methods of delivering valuable public services are changing dramatically, with professionals in public administration using a mix of interagency cooperation, innovation, and political commitment to transformation

Agricultural Credit, Female Participation in Agriculture and Food Security: An FMOLS Examination in Nigeria

2026-01-19T13:53:40+02:00

Using the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) method, this study investigated the impact of agricultural credit and female participation in agriculture on food security in Nigeria from 1998 to 2023. The specific objectives were to determine the relationship between agricultural credit, female participation in agriculture, and food security outcomes, measured by the Prevalence of Undernourishment (PU) and the Food Production Index (FPI). The study employed secondary data obtained from the World Development Indicators (WDI), FAO, and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletins. The dependent variables were Prevalence of Undernourishment and Food Production Index, while the independent variables included Agricultural Credit (AGC), Female Participation in Agriculture (FPA), Arable Land (ARL), Female Education (FEDU), and the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF). The FMOLS regression results showed that agricultural credit and female participation have a significant and positive impact on food production, and a negative impact on undernourishment in Nigeria. The study concludes that enhancing access to agricultural credit and improving female participation are essential strategies for reducing hunger and achieving SDG 2 in Nigeria. It recommends targeted policies that support rural credit delivery and gender inclusive agricultural programs.

Managerial Perspectives on the Procedure for the Occupation of Public Executive Positions Through Competition in Romania. Analysis, Observations and Proposals

2026-01-19T13:54:05+02:00

The paper analyzes the recruitment process of public administration personnel, with a focus on executive functions, from the perspective of human resources management. The purpose of the study is to identify dysfunctions within the competition procedures, evaluate the managerial impact on institutional performance, and formulate proposals for optimizing and modernizing the selection process, which will contribute to the establishment of an integrated governance model applicable and necessary in the public administration in Romania.
The public executive function involves the concrete application of public decisions and policies for the proper functioning of state institutions. The specific requirements for occupying these positions, such as the level of education, seniority in the specialty, and professional skills, show the quality of public administration personnel. Therefore, the competition, as the main and transparent way of access to public administration, is intended to ensure selection based on criteria of competence, merit, and equal opportunities. The research methodology involves a systematic, teleological, and logical legal analysis of the legislation in the field to achieve the paper's objectives, which are related to highlighting the need to ensure objectivity, transparency, and professionalism in the recruitment process as fundamental elements for strengthening an efficient and honest civil service. The paper also contains several proposals for procedural and legislative amendments regarding the recruitment process.

A “Decentralization and Local Self-Government in Uttar Pradesh: Legal Mechanisms for Participatory Governance at the Grassroots”

2026-01-19T13:54:19+02:00

This study examines decentralization and local self-government in Uttar Pradesh with a focus on the legal mechanisms designed to enable participatory governance at the grassroots. It traces the evolution of India’s decentralisation framework from early village institutions and the Directive Principles to the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which established Panchayats and urban local bodies as a constitutional third tier. In Uttar Pradesh, this framework is operationalised through a cluster of state laws, including the Panchayat Raj Act, 1947, the Kshettra Panchayats and Zila Panchayats Adhiniyam, 1961, and the Municipalities and Municipal Corporation Acts, supported by key institutions such as the State Election Commission, State Finance Commission and District Planning Committees. Doctrinal (legal) analysis is combined with secondary literature to assess how far these provisions translate into meaningful citizen participation. The findings indicate a strong formal architecture for local democracy—Gram Sabhas, ward committees, reservations, social audits, and transparency mechanisms such as the Right to Information—yet a persistent gap between constitutional design and practice. Irregular and elite-dominated meetings, partial devolution of functions, funds and functionaries, bureaucratic control and capacity constraints all limit the effective role of citizens in planning, budgeting and monitoring. The paper argues that deepening grassroots democracy in Uttar Pradesh requires not only further legal clarification and strengthening of Gram Sabha and ward committee powers, but also improved financial devolution, sustained capacity-building, and proactive measures to overcome socio-economic and gender-based barriers to participation.

Fuel Subsidy Reform in Nigeria: The Concerns and Panaceas.

2026-01-19T13:54:28+02:00

Fuel subsidy had been part of Nigerian economy for a long time until 29^th May, 2023 when the current government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought it to an end through the process initiated by immediate past government of Muhammadu Buhari. Arguably, this development has significant implications on every sector of the country. Drawing on this perspective, this paper aims to interrogate various underexplored concerns around the reform. The paper utilized literature review-based method driven by content analysis. The major implication of this study is that the understanding of the reform and related issues will be deepened which will in turn result to informed policy recommendations among others.

Globalization And Economic Growth: Evidence From A Panel Analysis Of The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Countries

2026-01-19T13:54:37+02:00

This study examines how economic globalisation has shaped economic growth in eleven RCEP countries using secondary data covering 1990 to 2023. Drawing on panel Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares estimation and Granger causality analysis, the study evaluates the influence of key globalisation channels, including trade openness, foreign direct investment, remittances, electricity access, and internet penetration. The findings show that trade openness, access to electricity, and internet use are strongly associated with higher income levels, while remittances exert a smaller but still positive effect. Foreign direct investment is the only variable that performs weakly, reflecting its limited long-run contribution in the region. The results also reveal a two-way reinforcing relationship, where globalisation supports economic expansion and rising incomes, in turn, encourages greater openness and investment in essential infrastructure. Based on these insights, the study recommends sustained trade liberalisation, broader digital and energy access, more effective use of remittances, and a shift toward higher-quality, productivity-enhancing foreign investment to strengthen growth across the RCEP bloc.

The Citizens' Right To Freedom Of Expression Versus The Necessity Of Combating Disinformation

2026-01-26T15:29:25+02:00

The paper analyzes freedom of expression as a fundamental right and a pillar of democracy, balancing it against the increasing threat of disinformation in the digital environment.

Freedom of expression, enshrined in the Romanian Constitution and internationally recognized, includes expressing thoughts, opinions, or beliefs by any means of public communication. This right is not absolute and entails the obligation to respect the rights of others and not to affect national security or public order. Prohibited acts include, among others, defamation, incitement to national/racial/religious hatred, discrimination, public violence, and prejudice to a person's dignity or honour. Exceeding these limits entails legal liability (civil and criminal).

Disinformation is defined by the European Union (EU) as a series of false or misleading information, deliberately disseminated to obtain economic gain or to mislead the public, potentially causing public harm.

In the context of digital media expansion, disinformation spreads faster and deeper than the truth. Combating disinformation, considered a major challenge for Europe and democracy, requires a strategic, comprehensive approach based on three main directions: accountability of online platforms, education and resilience, and strategic communication.

Effect of Chronic Poverty on Girl Child Exploitation and Human Right in a Depressing Economy

2026-01-30T13:31:06+02:00

This study seeks to determine the extent poverty increases the girl child exploitation in a depressing economy. Also, the study further seeks to examine the impact of poverty on human rights in a depressing economy. The study employs descriptive research design (DRD) and library research strategy (LRS). Indications from literature reviewed show that poverty promotes GCE and promotes violation of the girl child rights (GCR). The study further revealed that the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria increased significantly in 2024. The study therefore concludes that there is a need for partnership with SMEs like Restfarms and Associates following the increased rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria despite the yearly budget and programs by the WHO, UNICEF, ILO, among others in Nigeria. The study strongly recommends that investors, international companies should make funding available, either as a grant or foreign direct investment to Restfarms and Associates to commence operations in Nigeria in April 2025.

Economic Integration in Africa: African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and Border Security in Nigeria Paul Akere Irabor

2026-02-05T13:17:20+02:00

Nigeria faces security challenges due to its porous border, which allows illegal materials, arms, and weapons to be smuggled into the country. However, border security in Nigeria could become complicated with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), a free trade deal among African nations. This study aims to analyse the policy framework of AfCFTA and examine its implications for Nigeria’s border security. Structural function theory was used as the theoretical framework for situating the study. The findings, based on secondary sources, indicate that the AfCFTA aims to enhance intra-African trade by providing Nigeria and its member states with a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement that encompasses trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property, and competition policy. Despite these positive goals, the results also reveal that economic progress may be unrealistic given the Nigerian border's porousness, which has contributed to the growth of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), irregular migrant flows, drug trafficking, etc. For Nigeria to benefit from the AfCFTA, the study suggests that the country's porous border should be tightly secured to prevent the exacerbation of border problems.