Exploring the Influence of Participation on Programme Satisfaction: Lessons from the Ahmedabad Slum Networking Project

Abstract

Survey data collected from participants in the Ahmedabad Slum Networking Project (SNP) is analysed to examine the importance of community participation in explaining respondent complaints about the project overall and with the specific public services provided. Logistic regression results suggest that community involvement matters when asking about overall SNP satisfaction, but is less important in explaining negative comments concerning water, sewerage and street lighting. For these specific services, contact with NGOs and municipalities and community characteristics matter more. The paper identifies policy implications and suggests further research questions based on these findings.

Standalone, Collective or Both? How Low-income Urban Households Employ Strategies to Secure Basic Service Access in Hyderabad, India

“…Survey respondents who reported regular meeting attendance were asked if they perceived that BVM activities substantially improved local service conditions for their household, either 'not at all', 'unsure', 'a little' or 'very much'; perceived effectiveness is defined as very much. Perceived effectiveness of the BVM is a desired outcome irrespective of the initiative's observed impact (for instance, see Russ & Takahashi, 2012). Perceived effectiveness may also influence the quality of service outcomes obtained through collective action (Marks, Komives & Davis, 2014).…”

The Public’s Acceptance of and Intention to Use ICTs when Participating in Urban Planning Processes

“…Foss (2016) conducted research on environmental planning, pointing out how public participation and cultural framing contribute to sustainability and climate change planning. Researchers studying community involvement have debated whether and how to improve public services and infrastructure (Russ and Takahashi, 2013). We hypothesize that people's interest in participating in urban planning varies by content either because the topic is closer to their profession or because they care more about that topic for a variety of reasons.…”

Provision of basic services in slums: A review of the evidence on top‐down and bottom‐up approaches

“…McFarlane () reports that an Indian NGO, which had successfully implemented several sanitation projects, was unable to perform in the Slum Sanitation Programme in Mumbai because it was beyond its operating capacity. The continued loyalty of and participation by the community is mentioned by Russ and Takahashi () as an important element in sustaining quality over time. Government support for NGO initiatives results in better outcomes (Khandaker & Badrunnessa, ).…”

“…Replication of model contingent upon replication of various factors (Hasan, 2006) Participation is a long drawn process and not always fair. The loudest voices will be heard (McFarlane, 2009;Kifanyi et al, 2013;Russ & Takahashi, 2013) | 343 DEVKAR Et Al.…”

“…mentioned by Russ and Takahashi (2013) as an important element in sustaining quality over time. Government support for NGO initiatives results in better outcomes (Khandaker & Badrunnessa, 2006).…”