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Introduction
For a long time many parliaments have lagged behind in their ability to inform and interact with citizens, or be effective as public institutions. To involve the public in parliamentary activities, a number of countries introduced new strategies aimed at informing the public about developments in parliament and enabled them to interact with their local Member of Parliament (MP). This two way communication between the MP and the electorate within the constituency provides valuable information necessary for effective decision making within the legislature. The International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (2011) has constantly referred to this as Evidence Informed Policy Making. Parliamentary functions in many democratic countries are becoming more complex as the electorate’s political consciousness and knowledge of their rights and responsibilities is changing and transforming. There has been an increasing demand for parliamentary information required for: participation in parliamentary debates; maintenance of formal and informal conversations with colleagues and constituents about matters of mutual concern; and contributions to the legislative processes (Kurtz, 1997).
There are many and varied informational related developments, or reforms being implemented in parliaments globally, regionally and nationally. According to the World Bank Institute (2007), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is one of the key players in the field of parliamentary development, with its wider programme of work on democratic governance. Institutional reform work focuses on procedures and the internal organisation of MPs to provide the basic capacity for parliaments to function. This has included support for transcription services, libraries and information systems. For individual parliamentarians, the UNDP has provided induction seminars, as well as technical training on legislative drafting. Alongside these activities, the UNDP has also published a number of parliamentary handbooks aimed at considering aspects of: poverty reduction; improved relationships between parliaments and the executive, and parliaments and civil society organisations (WBI, 2007).
Governments and Parliaments continue to face challenging demands from civil society and the general public, who are calling for reforms. In recent years, a number of parliaments have implemented changes even in areas beyond their jurisdiction. Such reform efforts have aimed at reducing costs and refocusing on many parliamentary activities to change perceptions and promote different governance roles. For example, according to Sawi (2008), the Burundi Parliament has been involved in conflict resolution. Development Agencies, as well as Security Agencies have also been involved through the use of Constituency Development Funds. Batley (1999) describes these reforms as being driven by: pressure from economic crises and structural adjustments; donor imposition; domestic demands for change amplified by growing political pluralism; and emulation of reforms in other countries. Reforms may address whole institutions or departments within institutions; and may pose a number of fundamental strategic challenges to the provision of parliamentary information services (UNRISD, 2005).
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .
1.1. Introduction .
1.2. Parliamentary information services reforms
1.3. Considerations for PCICs .
1.4. Zimbabwe’s information policies
1.5. Motivation of the study .
1.7. Research methodolog
1.9. Limitations of the study .
1.10. List of terms
1.11. Organisation of the thesis .
1.12. Summary .
CHAPTER TWO: TOWARDS A THEORETICAL FRAMEWOR
2.1. Introduction
2.2. Selected theories relevant to this study .
2.3. Information service delivery models
2.4. Some relevant examples
2.5. Summary
CHAPTER THREE: REVIEW OF RELEVANT LITERATURE
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Rights of access to information
3.3. Parliamentarians and constituents
3.4. Concept of information centre
3.5. Evaluation .
3.6. Summary
CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Research design .
4.3. Research approach
4.3.1. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches
4.3.2. Inductive versus deductive research approaches
4.4. Target groups
4.5. Sampling
4.5.1. Sample size
4.6. Data collection methods
4.6.1. Interviews
4.6.2. Questionnaires
4.6.2.1. Distribution of questionnaires
4.6.3 Observation
4.6.4. Document analysis
4.7. Ensuring good quality data
4.7.1. Reliability and validity
4.8. Data analysis and interpretation
4.8.1. Analysing qualitative and quantitative data
4.8.2. Data collection challenges encountered
4.9. Ethical considerations
4.10. Summary
CHAPTER FIVE: DATA PRESENTATION
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Response rates and other data
5.2.1. Questionnaires and interview responses
5.2.2. Site visits and observations
5.2.3. Document analysis
5.3. Themes used to present data
5.4. Information needs and expectations
5.4.1. Reasons for visiting PCICs
5.4.2. Degree of satisfaction
5.4.3. Importance of information sources
5.4.4. Consistency of PCICs objectives with constituents’ expectations
5.4.5. Kind and volume of information needed by MPs
5.4.6. Additional sources of information required
5.4.7. Additional services expected at PCICs (constituents)
5.5. Accessibility
5.5.1. PCIC distance from constituent residences
5.5.2. Physical location of PCICs
5.5.3 Number of monthly visitors
5.6. Awareness of PCICs
5.6.1. MPs views
5.6.2. Understanding of PCICs objectives by MPs
5.6.3. Public invitation to PCICs by MPs
5.6.4. Methods of public invitation to PCICs by MPs
5.6.5. Use of PCICs
5.6.6. Marketing of PCICs by OAs
5.6.7. Understanding of PCIC objectives by constituents
5.7. Information delivery
5.7.1. Are PCICs well equipped (OAs)?
5.7.2. Informatics database training (OAs)
5.7.3. Main uses of PCIC computers
5.8. PCIC administration
5.8.1. Building ownership
5.8.2. PCIC management
5.8.3. Operating PCIC model
5.8.4. Monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
5.8.5. Recommended improvements
5.8.6. General comments and reflections
5. 9. Achievements
5.9.1. PCIC strengths (Constituents)
5.9.2. General comments and concerns from constituents
5.9.3. Main beneficiaries of PCICs (OAs)
5.9.4. Improved knowledge and participation
5.9.5. PCIC strengths
5.10. Challenges
5.10.1. PCIC weaknesses (MPs)
5.10.2. Changes to improve PCIC operations (MPs)
5.10.3. PCIC support comments (MPs)
5.10.4. PCIC weaknesses according to constituents
5.10.5. PCICs operational challenges
5.10.6. CDF(s) use
5.11. Summary
CHAPTER SIX: DATA INTERPRETATION
6.1. Introduction
6.2. Information needs and expectations
6.2.1. Reasons for visiting PCICs
6.2.2. Degree of satisfaction
6.2.3. Importance of information sources and services
6.2.4. Kind and volume of information
6.2.5. Additional information sources and services required
6.3. Accessibility
6.3.1. Location of PCICs
6.3.2. Number of monthly visitors
6.4. Awareness of PCICs
6.4.1. MPs’ views
6.4.2. MPs and constituents’ understanding of PCICs objectives
6.4.3. Public invitation to PCICs (MPs)
6.4.3.1. Methods of public invitation to PCICs by MPs
6.4.4. PCICs marketing
6.5. Information delivery
6.5.1. Are PCICs well equipped (OAs)?
6.5.2. Informatics database training
6.5.3. Main uses of computers
6.6. Administration and management of PCICs
6.6.1. Ownership of buildings
6.6.2. Management of PCICs
6.6.3. Operating model
6.6.4. Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E)
6.6.5. Recommended improvements
6.6.6. General comments on PCICs operations by OAs
6.7. Achievements
6.7.1. PCIC strengths according to Constituents and MPs
6.7.2. Main beneficiaries of PCICs
6.7.3. Improved knowledge and participation
6.8. Challenges
6.8.1. PCIC weaknesses and operational challenges
6.8.2. General comments on PCIC challenges
6.9. Changes to be made to improve PCIC operations (MPs)
6.9.1. Use of CDF(s)
6.10. Summary
CHAPTER SEVEN: DEVELOPING A PCIC MODEL
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Issues emerging from models and theories in the reviewed literature
7.2.1. Models
7.2.2. Connecting proposed model to theories
7.3. Structure of the model
7.3.1. Parliament of Zimbabwe
7.3.2. PoZ departments and activities
7.3.3. Development partners
7.3.4. MPs
7.3.5. Constituents
7.3.6. Funding
7.3.7. The PCIC office
7.3.8. Other Government Departments
7.3.9. Public participation
7.4. Other important considerations
7.5. Summary
CHAPTER EIGHT: FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND CONCLUSIONS
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Findings
8.2.1. Main research question
8.2.2. Sub-question number 1
8.2.3. Sub question number 2
8.2.4. Sub question number 3
8.3. Conclusions based on the study
8.4 Recommendations
8.5 Suggestions for future research
8.6 General conclusion
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
