https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/106880 2026-04-05T01:17:08Z 2026-04-05T01:17:08Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/122412 2024-05-17T09:13:20Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Commemorating political figures : the policy and management of public memorials to political figures Abstract: Commemorating political figures through public memorials is a complex undertaking that requires careful policy development and effective management strategies. Policies surrounding these memorials should establish the criteria, guidelines, and procedures for their creation and maintenance. They consider historical, cultural, and political contexts while engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure a meaningful and respectful commemoration. The management of public memorials involves various responsibilities, including maintenance, interpretation, and public engagement. Regular upkeep is essential to preserve the memorials' physical integrity and longevity. Interpretation efforts provide historical context and educational resources to enhance understanding and appreciation. Public engagement strategies encourage community involvement, fostering a sense of ownership and collective memory. Understanding the policy and management aspects of public memorials to political figures is vital for striking a balance between commemoration, historical accuracy, and societal relevance. It requires handling challenges such as political sensitivities and evolving public perceptions. Through thoughtful policy and effective management, public memorials to political figures become meaningful expressions of remembrance and serve as touchstones for future generations. The research instrument used for data collection was in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, which revealed a prevailing uncertainty regarding the decision-making process for installing and the maintenance of monuments. Based on the findings of this study, there are no official policies or guidelines governing the erection and upkeep of monuments dedicated to politicians in public spaces. Description: B.A. (Hons)(Melit.)

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/122408 2024-05-17T09:07:45Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The evolution of service of excellence within the public service : a journey of eight years Abstract: This dissertation examines the evolution of service excellence in the Malta Public Service over an eight-year period (2013 till 2021). The research aims to understand the changes in service culture and the resulting impact on the quality of services delivered to citizens. The study employs a mixed-methods approach through content and discourse analysis. The findings reveal that there has been significant progress in improving service quality over the past eight years under review. The public service has placed a growing emphasis on service delivery, with factors such as training and technology contributing to this improvement. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, such as bureaucratic red tape. The study concludes by offering recommendations for future improvements in service excellence within the Malta Public Service. The research discloses that a strong focus on service excellence is essential for delivering high- quality public services that meet the needs of citizens. This study provides valuable insights into the evolution of service excellence within the Malta Public Service, highlighting the importance of continuous improvement in service delivery. The findings of this research can contribute as a guidance in the development of policies and practices within the public service, promoting a culture of excellence and contributing to the overall development of the public service. Description: B.A. (Hons)(Melit.)

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113659 2023-10-10T04:33:45Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Governance of the commons : the case of Malta's built heritage Abstract: When such a wide array of actors across the political and social spectrum all lament the continuous loss of Malta’s built heritage in unison, one asks why have they not done anything to remedy the situation. What is it that is preventing a solution from being found? It is here that the characteristics of a social dilemma and coordination problem become apparent. One of the foremost thinkers who has addressed the evolution of studies relating to social dilemmas which concern common-pool resources is Elinor Ostrom, whose seminal work Governing the Commons from 1990 changed the way that people think about the field of research. Two of her foremost accomplishments were the development of the Institutional Analysis and Development framework, and her 8 Design Principles which are common success factors to commons governance. The literature around what can be considered a commons has evolved to encompass cultural heritage, though this field of thought is still in its relative infancy. Nonetheless, this presents an opportunity to address Malta’s built heritage as a commons, using the aforementioned tools, providing a novel way to study the social dilemma around overdevelopment in Malta, with reference to built heritage, and potentially obtain a better understanding of what threatens the commons, what the consequences are, and what potential policy solutions might be. This may be achieved through qualitative research entailing mapping, case studies and semi-structured elite interviews. This approach reveals the importance of trust between actors involved to arrive at the common shared goal of a change in economic model from quantity towards quality. Description: M.A.(Melit.)

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/113658 2023-10-10T04:31:08Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Communicating policy : bridging the gap between policy and the general public in Malta Abstract: This research investigates whether environmental policy documents (PDs) are designed with the general public in mind, and identifies the factors that contribute to their willingness to read and ability to comprehend such documents. The study aims to address the existing knowledge gap in this area. To achieve this, an exploratory sequential design was employed, incorporating both qualitative methods (semi-structured interviews with policy-makers) and quantitative methods (online survey with the general public). This approach enabled the gathering of insights from both policy-makers and the general public, taking note of all their perspectives to formulate recommendations for future improvement. The data collected from the semi-structured interviews was analysed using thematic analysis, while the quantitative data was analysed statistically. The statistical analysis explored 11 hypotheses and included descriptive statistics to enhance the understanding of the general public's viewpoint. By combining the findings from both the policy-makers and the general public, this study shed light on the existing gap between PDs and the general public. The key findings of this study revealed that policy-makers claim to consider the general public in the development of PDs through various visual and written methods, although challenges arise in finding a balance between multiple target audiences. Additionally, several crucial features influencing the willingness to read and comprehension of PDs were identified. These factors include the use of visual aids, relatability of the topic, simplicity of the text, and effective document structure. Recommendations arising from this study include the possibility of having separate documents for different audiences and having policy documents written in both English and Maltese, a concept which can be explored in future research. Description: M.A.(Melit.)

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z