International Journal of Public Administration and Management Research

Data Governance in the Public Sector: Enhancing Accountability and Service Delivery

Jude Osakwe — 2025-07-21

This study examines the critical role of data governance in enhancing accountability and service delivery within public sector organisations. As governments worldwide increasingly embrace digital transformation, the effective management and governance of data has become paramount to achieving organisational efficiency, citizen trust, and democratic accountability. Through a comprehensive analysis of contemporary literature and emerging frameworks, this study explores how robust data governance mechanisms can bridge the gap between technological advancement and public sector performance. The research reveals that organisations implementing comprehensive data governance frameworks experience significant improvements in service delivery quality, transparency, and citizen satisfaction. However, challenges remain in areas of technical infrastructure, workforce capacity, and regulatory compliance. The findings suggest that successful data governance implementation requires a holistic approach encompassing technical, organisational, and policy dimensions. This paper contributes to the growing body of knowledge on digital governance by providing practical insights for public sector leaders and policymakers seeking to leverage data as a strategic asset for improved public service delivery.

Governance Quality, Economic Growth and Well-Being: An Empirical Analysis for six Western Balkan Countries

Ilir Tomorri — 2025-07-21

The quality of governance plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and enhancing citizens’ well-being, particularly in developing countries. This study examines the relationship between governance quality, economic performance, and social development in six Western Balkan countries from 2010 to 2024. These countries have undergone extensive economic, political and institutional reforms to improve the quality of governance, in align with EU standards. The analysis relies on data from the Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI), the World Development Indicators (WDI) and the Human Development Index (HDI). Empirical findings reveal a strong and positive correlation between governance quality and both economic growth and well-being. Countries with stronger institutions exhibit more stable growth, higher social outcomes and improved human development. The study highlights that effective governance, characterized by transparency, accountability and the rule of law, is a key driver of sustainable development in transition economies. The findings show that there is a strong and positive relationship between governance quality, economic growth and well-being of citizens for the indicators analyzed in this study.

Geographical Positioning of Somalia and its National Security

Joseph Gibril Isaac Lomeri — 2025-07-22

Somalia's unique geographical location in the Horn of Africa positions it at a strategic crossroads for international trade, maritime navigation, and geopolitical competition. With over 3,300 kilometers of coastline along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, and proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait a key global energy chokepoint Somalia holds substantial strategic importance in global commerce and security. While this positioning offers considerable economic and diplomatic opportunities, it also exposes the country to complex national security threats, including piracy, terrorism, illegal fishing, regional conflict spillovers, and external interference by global powers. This study investigates the impact of Somalia’s geographical location on its national security dynamics. Drawing on geopolitical and realism theories, the study combines theoretical insights with empirical findings from primary and secondary sources to assess the extent to which geography contributes to Somalia’s internal and external vulnerabilities. Key findings reveal that Somalia’s coastal exposure, porous land borders with conflict-prone neighbors, and fragmented governance structures heighten its susceptibility to cross-border threats and foreign strategic interests. Moreover, the competition among regional and international actors such as the United States, Turkey, China, and the UAE for influence within Somalia underscores the country’s role in broader geopolitical rivalries. The study concludes that geography is not a passive backdrop but a central factor influencing national security outcomes in Somalia. It recommends strengthened maritime governance, enhanced border surveillance, coordinated federal security architecture, and regionally-informed diplomacy to transform Somalia’s geographic liabilities into strategic assets for long-term peace and development.