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We quantify the impact of unexpectedly assigned tasks on overtime work in the context of Japanese government officials. Data on overtime work are typically less reliable. We overcome this problem by using mobile phone location data, which enables us to precisely measure the nighttime population in the government-office district in Tokyo at an hourly frequency. Exploiting the exogenous nature of task arrivals, we estimate impacts on overtime work. We find that, in response to a newly assigned task, overtime work initially decreases and then increases persistently. Institutional changes to relax the time constraint and improve the working environment of government officials play a part in mitigating overtime work, but persistent increases in overtime work remain. We provide a simple model of optimal work allocation and show that distortion in intertemporal task allocation can account for the observed responses.

We quantify the impact of unexpectedly assigned tasks on overtime work in the context of Japanese government officials. Data on overtime work are typically less reliable. We overcome this problem by using mobile phone location data, which enables us to precisely measure the nighttime population in the government-office district in Tokyo at an hourly frequency. Exploiting the exogenous nature of task arrivals, we estimate impacts on overtime work. We find that, in response to a newly assigned task, overtime work initially decreases and then increases persistently. Institutional changes to relax the time constraint and improve the working environment of government officials play a part in mitigating overtime work, but persistent increases in overtime work remain. We provide a simple model of optimal work allocation and show that distortion in intertemporal task allocation can account for the observed responses.

Consultants have had an increased influence in the public sector which in return have created a need for consultants in different aspects of public organizations. This comparative case study has inquired the many-sided ramifications of increasing use of consultants in public organizations. The method of analyzing the different impacts of consultant use has been through an ethical lens based on Lundquist theory of “public ethos” together with Furustens consequences of consultant use to easier identify negative consultant impact on public organizations. The result of this study shows that increasing reliance of consultants can lead to a misrepresentation of the goals and scope of operation within public organizations.

Consultants have had an increased influence in the public sector which in return have created a need for consultants in different aspects of public organizations. This comparative case study has inquired the many-sided ramifications of increasing use of consultants in public organizations. The method of analyzing the different impacts of consultant use has been through an ethical lens based on Lundquist theory of “public ethos” together with Furustens consequences of consultant use to easier identify negative consultant impact on public organizations. The result of this study shows that increasing reliance of consultants can lead to a misrepresentation of the goals and scope of operation within public organizations.

Group photo, One Voice Conference, delegation of local government, community education and business leaders from McLean County in Washington D.C. to lobby for government funds, 2018

In many countries, GMO policy-making has been characterised with a lot of controversy, participation and trust being the most pressing issues. The ongoing Ghanaian GMO policy-making is not spared of the controversy. The GMO Bill which was introduced in the Ghanaian Parliament in 2013 remained unpassed amid accusations and counter-accusations between government-led groups and civil society-led anti-GMO groups. The entrenched positions taken by the pro-GMO groups and anti-GMO groups have stalled the policy-making process. This study was set out to examine through the lens of the anti-GMO groups how lack of public participation and trust contributed to the policy standoff. A directed qualitative content analysis and critical discourse analysis were conducted on twenty (20) news articles and publications on the activities of Ghana’s anti-GMO groups. Using the internet, text materials were gathered from media and anti-GMO sources. The analysis was enabled by a priori categories and coding scheme which were developed based on the study’s purpose, research questions and previous literature on public participation and trust. The analysis was based on the following categories: Ghanaians Being Misled or Misinformed to Accept GMOs; GMO Bill Making Non-inclusive or More Consultations Needed; Being Disregarded or Denied Access to Information; Decision-makers/GMO Policy-Making Violating or Disregarding Rules; GMO Bill Being Imposed on Ghanaians Despite Calls for More Consultations; and Being Open to Dialogue. Findings from the analysis of anti-GMO groups’ perceptions on the policy-making included: lack of public and stakeholder education and engagement on GMOs; government officials and scientists were perceived to belittle contributions of anti-GMO groups; GMO Bill viewed as an illegality; anti-GMO groups showed confidence in Ghana’s law courts; and anti-GMO groups made contradictory demands of the government. The findings were consistent with previous research which showed that

As modern societies become more dependent on IT services, the potential impact both of adversarial cyberattacks and non-adversarial service management mistakes grows. This calls for better cyber situational awareness-decision-makers need to know what is going on. The main focus of this paper is to examine the information elements that need to be collected and included in a common operational picture in order for stakeholders to acquire cyber situational awareness. This problem is addressed through a survey conducted among the participants of a national information assurance exercise conducted in Sweden. Most participants were government officials and employees of commercial companies that operate critical infrastructure. The results give insight into information elements that are perceived as useful, that can be contributed to and required from other organizations, which roles and stakeholders would benefit from certain information, and how the organizations work with creating cyber common operational pictures today. Among findings, it is noteworthy that adversarial behavior is not perceived as interesting, and that the respondents in general focus solely on their own organization., QC 20190404

In many countries, GMO policy-making has been characterised with a lot of controversy, participation and trust being the most pressing issues. The ongoing Ghanaian GMO policy-making is not spared of the controversy. The GMO Bill which was introduced in the Ghanaian Parliament in 2013 remained unpassed amid accusations and counter-accusations between government-led groups and civil society-led anti-GMO groups. The entrenched positions taken by the pro-GMO groups and anti-GMO groups have stalled the policy-making process. This study was set out to examine through the lens of the anti-GMO groups how lack of public participation and trust contributed to the policy standoff. A directed qualitative content analysis and critical discourse analysis were conducted on twenty (20) news articles and publications on the activities of Ghana’s anti-GMO groups. Using the internet, text materials were gathered from media and anti-GMO sources. The analysis was enabled by a priori categories and coding scheme which were developed based on the study’s purpose, research questions and previous literature on public participation and trust. The analysis was based on the following categories: Ghanaians Being Misled or Misinformed to Accept GMOs; GMO Bill Making Non-inclusive or More Consultations Needed; Being Disregarded or Denied Access to Information; Decision-makers/GMO Policy-Making Violating or Disregarding Rules; GMO Bill Being Imposed on Ghanaians Despite Calls for More Consultations; and Being Open to Dialogue. Findings from the analysis of anti-GMO groups’ perceptions on the policy-making included: lack of public and stakeholder education and engagement on GMOs; government officials and scientists were perceived to belittle contributions of anti-GMO groups; GMO Bill viewed as an illegality; anti-GMO groups showed confidence in Ghana’s law courts; and anti-GMO groups made contradictory demands of the government. The findings were consistent with previous research which showed that

Group photo, One Voice Conference, delegation of local government, community education and business leaders from McLean County in Washington D.C. to lobby for government funds, 2017

The creation of the viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717 had two immediate consequences for the region of Quito: the integration of its district in the new jurisdiction and the suppression of Royal Audiencia (Appeals Court). These two measures affected the Royal Treasury of Quito, as well as other organisms. This article analyzes the initial phases of the process of application of the new fiscal organization and some of the problems faced by the employees of Quito’s Royal Exchequer., La creación del Virreinato de Nueva Granada en 1717 tuvo dos consecuencias inmediatas para el espacio quiteño: la incorporación de su distrito a la nueva jurisdicción y la supresión de su Audiencia. Estas dos medidas afectaron, además de a otras instancias, a la Real Hacienda de Quito. En el trabajo analizamos los primeros pasos del proceso de aplicación de la nueva articulación en materia hacendística y alguno de los problemas a los que se enfrentaron los funcionarios de la Caja Real quiteña

The creation of the viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717 had two immediate consequences for the region of Quito: the integration of its district in the new jurisdiction and the suppression of Royal Audiencia (Appeals Court). These two measures affected the Royal Treasury of Quito, as well as other organisms. This article analyzes the initial phases of the process of application of the new fiscal organization and some of the problems faced by the employees of Quito’s Royal Exchequer., La creación del Virreinato de Nueva Granada en 1717 tuvo dos consecuencias inmediatas para el espacio quiteño: la incorporación de su distrito a la nueva jurisdicción y la supresión de su Audiencia. Estas dos medidas afectaron, además de a otras instancias, a la Real Hacienda de Quito. En el trabajo analizamos los primeros pasos del proceso de aplicación de la nueva articulación en materia hacendística y alguno de los problemas a los que se enfrentaron los funcionarios de la Caja Real quiteña

Group photo, One Voice Conference, delegation of local government, community education and business leaders from McLean County in Washington D.C. to lobby for government funds, 2016

Five men and one women seated and standing around a table in a conference room. Image likely taken in the Pierce County Courthouse., Film negatives, 10 x 13 cm., "These men run the affairs of Pierce County. This picture by Curtis Strand shows the men who are the 'new' board of Pierce county commissioners. The board is 'new' because it has two men who have not previously served and who took office the first of the year. The two are Axtman and Halling. Left to right on the picture are Peter Hoffart, Selz; Alec Munyer, Pleasant Lake; O. J. Walker, Barton; Nick P. Axtman, Orrin, and John Halling, Wolford. The lady in the picture is Christine Westergard, deputy county auditor, who has been recording the deliberations of the board during the recent illness of auditor O. A. Spillum." - caption with image published in The Pierce County Tribune, January 22, 1953, p. 1., Title supplied by staff.

Ben Meier standing in room surrounded by ledgers, filing cabinets and boxes., Acetate negatives; Safety film negatives, 6 x 6 cm., "Secretary of State Ben Meier is shown in one of his file rooms, where bills are stored after final action by the Legislature." - caption with image published in The Fargo Forum, February 20, 1955, p. 16., Title supplied by staff.

Oscar A. Spillum (left) and Erik Revling (right) seated behind a desk inside an office, likely inside the Pierce County Courthouse. In front of them is a large open ledger., Film negatives, 10 x 13 cm., "Spillum, Revling, Court House Deans" - caption with image published in The Pierce County Tribune, September 13, 1951, p. 14., Title supplied by staff.

Man symbolizing the North Dakota farmer with heavy load of sacks on his back labeled 'Wheat,' 'Corn,' 'Wool,' 'Hides,' 'Farm products,' and a head of cattle, with label on rope holding them together 'World's Food Supply.' Above farmer and his load behind wall is a law official labeled 'North Dakota Farmer Labor Administration' preventing other man labeled 'The Railroads' to add sack labeled 'Increased Rates' onto load on farmer's back., Drawings; Cartoons, 13 x 10 cm., "Congressman John M. Baer in this cartoon pictures what has happened in North Dakota. Although railroad commissions in all other states have allowed the railroads to raise freight and passenger rates, the North Dakota administration has prevented increased rates from going into effect until the matter can be threshed out in the courts" - Caption with cartoon in Nonpartisan Leader, Nov. 15, 1920., Caption title. Illus. in: Nonpartisan Leader, November 15, 1920, p. 6., Price, Theo. H. "Facts on Government Railroad Control: People Now Pay Three Times the Added Cost During War Operation, and Get Inferior Service, Says Eastern Expert." Nonpartisan Leader, Nov. 15, 1920, p. 6. (Exceprts from article by author entitled "Uncle Sam - Railroad Manager.")

Four men standing beside Ten Commandments Monolith in Fargo, N.D. Left to right is, Fargo Mayor Herschel Lashkowitz; U. S. Senator William Langer; Judge E. J. Ruegemer, of Saint Cloud, Minnesota; and perhaps N.D. State Rep. Chris Hilleboe., Acetate negatives; Safety film negatives, 6 x 6 cm., Title supplied by staff., Fargo's 4th Street Urban Renewal Project was dedicated March 8, 1958, in a ceremony attended by, Sen. William Langer; Mayor Herschel Lashkowitz; George H. Wilson, Fargo Eagles vice president; Judge E. J. Ruegemer of St. Cloud, Minn.; Ivan D. Carlson and Stephen Bates, of the Urban Renewal Agency; Francis Schroeder, Eagles Grand Aerie judiciary committee chairman; John W. Hanson, Fargo Aerie president, Earl Stewart, Fargo URA director; Rev. C. Maxwell Brown; Rt. Rev. Msgr. L. J. Arrell; Rev. Nelson F. Preus, and Rabbi A. Krantz. The Ten Commandments Monolith was presented as a gift of the Fargo Aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles., "Eagles Present Huge Monolith At Urban Renewal Dedication", Fargo Forum & Daily Republican, March 9, 1958, p. 1.

President Eisenhower standing behind a podium on a stage speaking to a large group of people. Some dignitaries seated behind him are Sen. Milton R. Young, Congressman and Mrs. Fred G. Aandahl, and Governor and Mrs. Norman Brunsdale. A welcome sign and patriotic bunting decorates the stage behind him., Acetate negatives; Safety film negatives, 10 x 13 cm., Title supplied by staff.

Portrait view of Florida House Rep. Jim Boyd, who served in Tallahassee until 2018.

Sen. Langer standing on stage giving a speech. He appears to be gesturing with his right hand, and in his left hand he is holding onto some papers. There is a podium in front of him as well as two microphones. One microphone has the call letters WDAY. In the background are visible two other men sitting in folding chairs., Film negatives, 13 x 11 cm., Photographer unknown. Title supplied by staff., "Langer speech indicates Leaning to insurgents", Fargo Forum & Daily Tribune, Sept. 29, 1953, p. 8.

Biography of Alice Myers and information on U.S. Representative Jim Haley.

Biography of Alice Myers and information on U.S. Representative Jim Haley.

County officials unveil memorial plaque for County Commissioner Lari Ann Harris at the South Manatee Branch Library, of which she was a strong supporter.

James T. Golden sworn in to Bradenton City Council in City Hall.

County Commissioner Jonathan Bruce seen at a meeting.

Celebration for James T. Golden on election night. He earned his Bachelor's at Stetson University, a graduate degree from Atlanta University and his law degree from the University of Florida. After campaigning for the Manatee County School Board since 2014, prior to being elected in 2018. Golden was a 2016 Democratic candidate for District 73 of the Florida House of Representatives.

Formal portrait view of Bradenton city councilman James Golden. He served on the council for two terms from 1999 to 2007.

This paper will consider the policy options available to decision-makers in small island developing states (SIDS). While recognising the disproportionate influence of government officials within most societies, consideration will also be given to the role of individuals. This will be of particular significance in relation to value judgements, unequal risk and vulnerability across societies. Furthermore, attention will be drawn to the extent to which SIDS are exposed to risks that originate external to their communities. Emphasis will also be placed on the extent to which governments and individuals within SIDS can be pro-active in countering risk and vulnerability. Underpinning this discussion will be an awareness that perceptions of risk and vulnerability are derived from particular individual and/or group value judgements.

Mayor Carol Whitmore seen here at a meeting with Holmes Beach City Council members.

County Agricultural agent and Consumer Extension Director Richard Aalberg speaks from a podium for the annual Farm-City week.

Mary Lancaster sworn in as a new Palmetto council member.

Diane Frenz served as the new director of Manatee County's Director of Information Services for the county's internet and intranet use.

Manatee County Commissioner John Gause (on left) accepts notice of state aid for libraries from Rep. Mark Flanagan (on right).

County commissioner Stan Stephens speaks at an improvised podium during the new Braden River Branch Library's groundbreaking event.

Government officials and residents gather at Braden River library site groundbreaking ceremony of the new library building to replace the double-wide trailer used as a library.

Ernie Padgett, County Admin. at the dedication of the new South Manatee Branch Library building on 26th Street.

County commissioner Maxine Hooper speaks at the groundbreaking event for the new Braden River Branch Library. The ground had just been cleared.

County Commissioner and other local officials break ground for new Braden River Branch Library on State Road 70. with Commissioners Maxine Hooper, Patricia Glass and Stan Stephens are on the right.

County Commissioner Gwendolyn Brown speaks at the South Manatee Library's dedication of the new 26th Street building.

County Commissioners with state and county officials line up with shovels at the Braden River Branch Library's groundbreaking event. Commissioner Maxine Hooper (in red dress) chats with Commissioner Pat Glass (in white shirt).

County and local officials gather at the groundbreaking event for the new Braden River Branch Library.

State Sen. John McKay chats with County Commissioner Maxine Hooper at the groundbreaking for the Braden River Branch Library.

Portrait of Lynette Edwards, the Manatee County Schools director of personnel.

Portrait of Kathy Snell with U.S. Flag. She was Manatee County's director of Human Services and was elected to the County Commission in 1988.

Ernie Padgett, Manatee County Administrator from 1995 to 2005, poses with George Harris and Jonathan Bruce at the South Manatee Branch Library where a room was named for community activist and county commissioner Lari Ann Harris.

Portrait of County Commissioner Patricia Glass with flag.

Portrait view of Palmetto's mayor Gordon Dole. Mr. Dole was born Feb. 10, 1932, in Bradenton, and was a lifelong Manatee resident. He attended Manatee Community College, was later a supervisor and customer service instructor with Florida Power and Light. He lived in Palmetto since he was 17 years old, serving as mayor from 1993 to 1995. He had spent two terms on the Palmetto City Council from 1976 to 1980, and was Manatee County Fair president in 2006 and 2007. He died in 2002 at age 79. [Source: Bradenton Herald, March 02, 2011]

Heidi Heitkamp and Sarah Vogel campaign from the back of a horse drawn carriage in a parade in Minot. Heitkamp was running for Attorney General, and Vogel for Commissioner of Agriculture.