Alternative Service Delivery Essay

1377 Words3 Pages

1 INTRODUCTION
The essay will discuss the reasons why governments embark on alternative service delivery mechanisms. In addition to that, the essay will identify suitable examples, and provide a clear discussion concerning the role/s played by voluntary organizations and private contractors in promoting service delivery. ASD enables the government to render quality services to the public by optimising service costs to be efficient and effective. The essay will begin by defining key terms that are related to the topic and move to the explanation of ASD and further discuss the different mechanisms that can be used. The essays will further conclude by suggesting some solutions.
2 DEFINITION OF TERMS
A number of terms will be used throughout the essays. It is necessary that these terms be defined. Thus, the following aspect of the essay is going to define the terms, Alternative service delivery, Private contractors, Voluntary organisations, Government.
2.1 Alternative service delivery
“ASD can be defined as a creative and dynamic process of public sector restructuring that improves the delivery of services to citizens (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat 2007: internet source)”.
2.2 Private contractors
Harsch (2008:14) defines private contractors as “a subordinate, organisation or a company that functions to render certain specific services to another institution in which terms and condition are specified in a contract and finalised with a verbal agreement “.
2.3 Voluntary organisations
Schuppert (2000:33) defines voluntary organisations as “Organisations that aim to provide quality services to the disadvantaged communities without the expectation of rewards, income or compensation that either comes from the government.”
2.4 Gover...

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...onment. The use of such technologies can provide certain aspects of different use, for instance improved service delivery, concrete interactions with business and industry, citizen’s empowerment through the provision of accessible information, or transparent government operations. The proactive benefits of this approach can include the minimisation of corruption, revenue growth, cost reduction, improved transparency, and more convenient use of resources. E-Governance is also about the provision of public access through the use of internet to access information concerning all types of services rendered by the central government department along with heir agencies. This enables the citizens to execute certain transactions for those services being rendered, for instance by paying tax, obtaining a passport and claiming and receiving benefits (Ford and Zussman 1997:38).

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