This volume provides a unique insight into the ways local governments have maintained financial resilience in light of the significant challenges posed by the era of austerity. Taking an international perspective, it provides a practical analysis of the different capacities and responses that local governments deploy to cope with financial shocks.
Funded by taxation, public spending cannot be separated from politics and ensuring efficiency and effectiveness is always high on the political and policy agenda. Accounting, accountability, governance and auditing are essential ingredients in evaluating public sector performance. Australia and New Zealand are world leaders when it comes to public sector accounting—such as being the first to introduce transaction-neutral accounting standards. This edited collection considers current issues impacting the public sector by primarily drawing upon experiences of Australia and New Zealand. Then, by combining history (from the time of the Domesday book, early sovereignty and Shakespeare) with current practice (differential reporting, international financial reporting standards, government performance, voter turnout, joined-up government and auditing practices), we use these experiences to illuminate the global issues of public sector accounting, accountability and governance. Based on rigorous research by top public sector researchers, this edited collection offers a multitude of future research ideas to enable those interested in following this pathway—whether they are in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States of America, Africa or anywhere else in the world—an avenue to traverse.
International growth in higher education, the introduction of new providers and increased public and state interest in university structures, levels of fees and funding models have made governance in higher education a vital and sometimes controversial topic. Governing Higher Education Today provides challenging perspectives on the longer-term dynamics and policy trends in a world market for higher education. Through international perspectives and case studies, it considers: The emerging national responses, which are likely to shape institutional governance in the next decade. An analysis of the trends and strategic directions in governance and policy in higher education. Insights from practising thought leaders on the future of higher education governance and policy. Traditions and values within higher education governance. Lessons and trends in the interaction of institutions and government. Whether you sit on a governing body, work in a university leadership role or in a governance or policy team, teach or study higher education, Governing Higher Education Today provides a thoughtful yet practical guide to the future of university governance with international applicability.
