Browsing by Subject "Social Responsibility"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Health system’s barriers hindering implementation of public-private partnership at the district level: a case study of partnership for improved reproductive and child health services provision in Tanzania
    (2016) Kamugumya, Denice; Olivier, Jill
    Abstract Background Public-private partnership (PPP) has been suggested as a tool to assist governments in lower to middle income countries fulfil their responsibilities in the efficient delivery of health services. In Tanzania, although the idea of PPP has existed for many years in the health sector, there has been limited coordination, especially at a district level – which has contributed to limited health gains or systems strengthening obviously seen as a result of PPP. Methods This case study was conducted in the Bagamoyo district of Tanzania, and employed in-depth interviews, document reviews, and observations methods. A stakeholder analysis was conducted to understand power distribution and the interests of local actors to engage non-state actors. In total 30 in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants that were identified from a stakeholder mapping activity. The initial data analysis guided further data collection in an iterative process. The provision of Reproductive and Child Health Services was used as a context. This study draws on the decision-space framework. Results Study findings reveal several forms of informal partnerships, and the untapped potential of non-state actors. Lack of formal contractual agreements with private providers including facilities that receive subsidies from the government is argued to contribute to inappropriate distribution of risk and reward leading to moral hazards. Furthermore, findings highlight weak capacity of governing bodies to exercise oversight and sanctions, which is acerbated by weak accountability linkages and power differences. Disempowered Council Health Services Board, in relation to engaging non-state actors, is shown to impede PPP initiatives. Conclusion Effective PPP policy implementation at a local level depends on the capacity of local government officials to make choices that would embrace relational elements dynamics in strategic plans. Orientation towards collaborative efforts that create value and enable its distribution is argued to facilitate healthy partnership, and in return, strengthen a district health system. This study highlights a need for new social contracts that will support integrative collaboration at the local level and bring all non-state actors to the centre of the district health system.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Public/community engagement in health research with men who have sex with men in sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and opportunities
    (2016) Molyneux, Sassy; Sariola, Salla; Allman, Dan; Dijkstra, Maartje; Gichuru, Evans; Graham, Susan; Kamuya, Dorcas; Gakii, Gloria; Kayemba, Brian; Kombo, Bernadette; Maleche, Allan; Mbwambo, Jessie; Marsh, Vicki; Micheni, Murugi; Mumba, Noni; Parker, Michael; Shio, Jasmine; Yah, Clarence; van der Elst, Elise; Sanders, Eduard
    Abstract Background Community engagement, incorporating elements of the broader concepts of public and stakeholder engagement, is increasingly promoted globally, including for health research conducted in developing countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, community engagement needs and challenges are arguably intensified for studies involving gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, where male same-sex sexual interactions are often highly stigmatised and even illegal. This paper contextualises, describes and interprets the discussions and outcomes of an international meeting held at the Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust in Kilifi, Kenya, in November 2013, to critically examine the experiences with community engagement for studies involving men who have sex with men. Discussion We discuss the ethically charged nature of the language used for men who have sex with men, and of working with ‘representatives’ of these communities, as well as the complementarity and tensions between a broadly public health approach to community engagement, and a more rights based approach. We highlight the importance of researchers carefully considering which communities to engage with, and the goals, activities, and indicators of success and potential challenges for each. We suggest that, given the unintended harms that can emerge from community engagement (including through labelling, breaches in confidentiality, increased visibility and stigma, and threats to safety), representatives of same-sex populations should be consulted from the earliest possible stage, and that engagement activities should be continuously revised in response to unfolding realities. Engagement should also include less vocal and visible men who have sex with men, and members of other communities with influence on the research, and on research participants and their families and friends. Broader ethics support, advice and research into studies involving men who have sex with men is needed to ensure that ethical challenges – including but not limited to those related to community engagement – are identified and addressed. Summary Underlying challenges and dilemmas linked to stigma and discrimination of men who have sex with men in Africa raise special responsibilities for researchers. Community engagement is an important way of identifying responses to these challenges and responsibilities but itself presents important ethical challenges.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    The Online Communication of Corporate Social Investment: How is the intricate task approached by South African companies?
    (2022) Dyssell, Emily; Irwin, Ronald
    Corporate Social Investment in South Africa has come to mean more than abiding by the B-BBEE regulatory requirements. It is a way for companies to showcase that their priorities move beyond profit-making, and stem into community upliftment. While actual contributions to CSI are of the most importance, CSI communication is a field that requires more strategy and focus than it did before. However, with no templates for the best online communication methods available, there is a wide range of types of message content and communication strategies. Utilising a mixed-method analysis, this paper explores the webpage communication of CSI in South Africa by conducting a content analysis of the CSI webpages of highly regarded South African companies, an in-depth semiotic and discourse analysis of two award-wining company webpages (Pick n Pay and Investec), and lastly a practical case study wherein a communications strategy was designed for national company, Ultra Liquors. This dissertation aims to explore the question: How is CSI webpage communication approached by South African companies? The research was approached through three sub questions: What are the common themes, methods of communication, and types of content on the Corporate Social Investment webpages of highly regarded South African companies? How do Pick n Pay and Investec, both award winning companies in the CSI field, successfully communicate their altruistic values through their CSI webpages? Utilising Ultra Liquors as a case study, how does one approach creating a CSI communications strategy, and what are the essential factors that should be considered? While there is significant academic research within the overall field of CSI, research into the communication of it is limited. However, companies and their stakeholders are beginning to pay more attention to it. This research aims to contribute to the limited research available in South Africa regarding CSI communication and highlight the importance of CSI communication and strategy – both practically and within the realm of academic research.