| Author | Ty Makararavy |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.SM-05-112 |
| Subject(s) | Decentralization in government--Cambodia
|
| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration, School of Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Research studies project report ; no. SM-05-112 |
| Abstract | Decentralization reforms in Cambodia are only three years old and the system of decentralized planning and financing of local development is still in its infancy. The major political development initiated with the 2002 election is the political decentralization bringing in the Commune/Sangkat Councils; this has vet to be followed by fiscal and administrative reforms that would strengthen the capacity of the Communes/Sangkats and enable them to better deliver the services and fight against poverty. The Royal Government of Cambodia as well as its move toward the decentralization and deconcentration reforms are still young and it is not surprising that the results of the reforms are ambiguous. The research found some key success factors regarding the C/S Councils and its relationship with other stakeholders such as with the national administration and political parties, with the pros incial and district levels, and finally with civil society. These relations can have different forms: direct/indirect, harmonious/conflictual, dominant/authoritative or in form of dependence/exploitation. The relations of C/S Councils with national level and political parties can sometimes be direct or indirect, dominant or authoritative, dependent and most of the time there are conflicts because some lines Ministries do not want to decentralize the part of their tasks to C/S Councils. At provincial and district level, the C/S Councils have direct and vertical/authoritative relations with and sometimes have conflicts caused by the misunderstanding of the tasks. The C/S Councils coordinate and work closely in a harmonious way with the civil society such as villages, NGOs, Commune residents. Exceptions happen if the Councilors, Clerk and other authorities still have some conflict of power and interest among them. Finally, the study concludes that strengthening good relationships of the C/S Councils with other actors is one of the major issues to be considered. On the basis of these conclusions, the study makes recommendations on the issue of law and regulations indicating more clearly the roles of each sub-national level and the relations amongst them, the increase salary of Councilors/Chief in order to reduce conflicts of interest and corruption, and supporting the participation of all stakeholders, especially in the consultation of the regulations and the formulation of the Commune Development Planning. There is a need of strengthening the capacity building for grassroots officials as well as the technical and financial capacity of local governments. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Research studies project report ; no. SM-05-112 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Management (SOM) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Publication code=SM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Zimmermann, Willi |
| Examination Committee(s) | Dimmitt, Nicholas J.;
Swierzeck, Fredric William |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of France;AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Research report (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |