Browsing by Author "Trawick, Paul"

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    Putting a Price on Water for All, Namibia
    (Cranfield University, 2009-09) Matros-Goreses, Anna; Franceys, Richard; Trawick, Paul
    Access to water and sanitation is indeed a human right; however quality water and sanitation service provision should not be assumed a ‘free service’ as a result. Hence it is crucial to understand the costs involved of monopoly water service provision to enable informed decision-making on tariff determination. Namibia, is not only characterised with extreme conditions of water scarcity and skewed income distribution, with a history of free water services, but it also is prone to information asymmetry and lack of transparency (especially financial) challenges in the price-setting process. Hence, the research aim was to adapt a framework for determining price-setting processes and to investigate the potential role of an economic regulator to inform the process and policy accordingly in Namibia. In this regard, the research explores the price-setting processes of independent economic regulators in England and Wales and Zambia (as a guide to understand the dynamics and intricacies of setting and enforcing prices for utilities based on the need for sustainable cost recovery and efficient service provision) to further investigate possible improvements to the Namibian price-setting process. The research objectives were explored through descriptive and exploratory case study approaches, mainly comprising of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The research found that the most appropriate regulatory framework for Namibia is an intermediate framework- a hybrid regulatory body (consisting of a combination between government and independent expert panels). The research also identifies crucial operating principles, regulatory tools (with emphasis on accounting separation within financial models) and consumer involvement as major components for the Namibian price-setting process. In essence, accountability through transparency (effective information sharing and stakeholder involvement) is identified by the study to address the principal-agent challenges faced within Namibia, especially given the extreme conditions.
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    RELU integrated floodplain management
    (Cranfield University, 2009-06) Morris, Joe; Hess, Tim; Gowing, David; Trawick, Paul; Leeds-Harrison, Peter; Blowers, Andy; Tucker, Graham
    The last 25 years have witnessed a change in the priorities for the use of rural land in the United Kingdom. Whereas previously the focus was predominantly on agricultural production to achieve national self sufficiency, since the 1980s environmental objectives, such as the protection of wildlife habitats and countryside recreation, have exerted greater influence over the way land is managed.
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    Whose accountability? A case study of NGO accountability to recipients of aid in South Sudan
    (Cranfield University, 2011-12) Beattie, Karyn; Trawick, Paul; Pilbeam, Colin
    The prominence of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has increased dramatically in the last decade triggering concerns over the accountability of these organisations. In response, NGOs have broadened their accountability systems to include all their stakeholders, not only those who hold some form of authority over them. Particular attention has been given to ensuring accountability to the recipients of an NGO‟s assistance, known in some circles as „beneficiary accountability‟. However, the implementation of beneficiary accountability is particularly difficult in the kind of environment in which humanitarian assistance is provided – a point which is acknowledged in literature. The aim of this research was to understand the factors that influenced the implementation and the reasons for the difficulty. The case study employed qualitative methods to gather data from NGO staff and members of two Dinka communities in South Sudan. The study found that the complexity of accountability was not given sufficient consideration during implementation. Within the task-oriented environment of humanitarian aid, accountability was simplified into a set of practical steps. But while staff implemented the steps, they often missed the real essence of accountability. As a result, the mechanisms employed were not entirely appropriate for the target audience, the Dinka communities. Perhaps because of this, the community tended to prefer their own methods of holding the NGO to account. The research concludes that because of certain structural difficulties inherent in beneficiary accountability it is not only difficult, but impossible to implement within certain contexts. It is recommended that NGOs make changes to the methodology they employ when working in a context similar to the one in which the research was conducted.