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VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
The role of administrative empowerment in building effective institutions in developing countries: A multi-regional comparative analysis
Authors
Shaban Ayyat
Abstract
This study examines the issue of critical nexus
between a sense of administrative power and structural performance of public
institutions in the definite socio-political settings of the developing
nations. Though the classic school of thought about the nature of a public administration
focuses more on strict hierarchy and centralized authority to preserve an
order, these models tend to create a condition of an administrative paralysis
and the inability to react to fluctuating local demands. This paper examines
the role of dimensions of empowerment (delegation, autonomy and knowledge
sharing) as drivers of institutional resilience using a qualitative multi-case
study approach using institutional changes in Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Bahrain,
Algeria and Jordan. The results indicate that empowerment is not an independent
managerial instrument but a contingent process output by Vertical Trust and
Digital Oversight. The research conducts a needs identification of a
Capability-Autonomy Alignment model, which suggests that in order to enable
empowerment to be a motivator of effectiveness, it needs to be aligned with
meritocratic recruitment and technological transparency. This study also adds
value to the discussion of New Public Governance because it presents a
localized concept of decentralization that circumvents the old patronage
systems and offers a pathway that policy makers can follow to shift their
administration systems to results-driven rather than compliance-driven.
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Pages:9-14
How to cite this article:
Shaban Ayyat "The role of administrative empowerment in building effective institutions in developing countries: A multi-regional comparative analysis". International Journal of Educational Research and Studies, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 9-14
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