Public Services Reforms in Neo-Patrimonial Systems: The Commercialization of Healthcare and Education in Saudi Arabia

Reforms of public services have been extensively researched in representative democracies, where they have been especially explained by ideological change, political turnover, financial crises and pressures from international organizations. Meanwhile, less attention has been paid to explaining them in countries whose institutions have been characterized as neo-patrimonial systems. This study aims to explain the commercialization of healthcare and education services that took place in Saudi Arabia since the 2000s. The analysis provides some ways to refine and expand existing theoretical accounts of public services reforms in regimes that differ from representative democracies

'Not Taking, but Giving': A Paradox of Cross-Cultural Empowerment

This chapter examines the nature of partnerships between mining companiesand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in regional WesternAustralia from the perspective of Indigenous health, well-being and culture. Referencewill be made to specific examples of such partnerships, and attention drawnto research indicating a correlation between the health and well-being of Indigenouspeople, and their connection to traditional culture along with ‘self-determination’.The impetus Native Title legislation has given to promoting dialogue, collaborationand negotiation between the mining industry and Indigenous communities will beconsidered, along with an apparent readiness by the mining industry to be moresupportive generally of Indigenous culture and its place in mainstream Australia.The chapter will focus particularly on the participation of Indigenous individuals inthe mining workforce and related business opportunities, the role and potential ofcultural awareness training supplied by Indigenous communities to the miningindustry and suggestions as to future directions

Digging in the dark : reviewing international literature to address impending policy challenges for Swedish and Finnish mining

The mining industries of Sweden and Finland currently face several policy issues around investment, stakeholder involvement,and sustainability. Since the two countries garnered significant attention during the mining boom, research from a social sciencesperspective grew significantly. One approach to understanding how these issues in Sweden and Finland compare to internationalexamples is through an analysis of the policy development framework. Looking at three factors—institutions, actors, andprocess—gives a broad overview of the imminent challenges in both Sweden and Finland and potential lessons from existingresearch that point to similar problems and their solutions. As the mining operations continue to sit at the center of differentvalues, capable policy is required

Social impact assessment and ethical social research principles: Ethical professional practice in impact assessment Part II

This paper considers a range of ethical issues in social impact assessment (SIA) providing a commentary from a professional practice perspective. Drawing on its companion paper (Vanclay et al. 2013 Principles for ethical research involving humans: Ethical professional practice in impact assessment Part I. Impact Assess Proj Appraisal, 31(4):243–253), the 18 principles of ethical research are discussed as they pertain to SIA practice. While the ethical principles are highly relevant and align well with good practice SIA, there will be situations where the specific requirements suggested by the principles need to be carefully thought through by practitioners. Although making some general conclusions, the paper’s main purpose is to stimulate further debate about ethical issues within the impact assessment profession. Key recommendations that emerge for SIA practice include the need for SIA practitioners to use information sheets routinely, and to increase the use of signed consent forms. It is also recommended that the International Association for Impact Assessment provide a service to allow practitioners to gain ethical approval for their projects in non-routine cases