Islam, Md Tarikul ORCID: 0000-0002-2165-1203, Rahim, Mia Mahmudur and Kuruppu, Sanjaya Chinthana ORCID: 0000-0002-7282-272X (2023) Public accountability failure in solving a public nuisance: stakeholder disengagement in a clash of Western and Islamic worldviews. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal. ISSN 0951-3574 (doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-01-2020-4362)

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Abstract

Purpose
This paper examines the link between the failure of public accountability and stakeholder disengagement brought about by a New Public Management (NPM) style “smart solution” introduced to reduce public urination in Dhaka city. It shows how New Public Governance (NPG), Islamic and dialogic approaches can improve decision-making and solutions.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the concepts of public accountability, NPM, NPG and dialogic accountability, this study highlights how narrow conceptions of accountability and poor stakeholder engagement impacted the effectiveness of the “smart solution” based on data collected through observation and unstructured in-depth interviews.
Findings
Evidence suggests that narrow conceptions of accountability driven by monologic NPM perspectives led to poor stakeholder engagement, which impacted the effectiveness of the “smart solution”. The solution that consists of changing anti-urination signage from Bengali to Arabic script has not solved Dhaka's public urination problem. In many instances, the solution has disenchanted certain stakeholders who view it as an offence against Islam and a confusing de-privileging of the Bengali language which has significant national and cultural value in Bangladesh.
Originality/value
The findings of the study contribute to policymaking discussions on how to effectively engage with stakeholders and extend the literature on accountability within the context of conflicting public versus private demands related to a public nuisance. The study outlines important issues related to stakeholder engagement and introduces a framework that conceptualises how to increase the effectiveness of public policy decisions using NPG, Islamic and dialogic accountability approaches, especially on matters that require significant public/external stakeholder support. It also provides a conceptual integration of these various approaches, including nuanced insights into accountability challenges within “non-Western” contexts.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	accountability; stakeholder engagement; language conversion; public urination; smart solution; Dhaka City
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5601 Accounting H Social Sciences > HJ Public Finance
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business Faculty of Business > Department of Accounting & Finance
Last Modified:	02 May 2023 09:19
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/42028

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