Public Administration

K11 - Administering Social and Welfare Programs

Date: Jun 4 | Time: 10:15am to 11:45am | Location:

Chair/Président/Présidente : Megan Mattes (Simon Fraser University)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Vincent Hopkins (University of British Columbia)

ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF N-POWER SCHEME ON THE ATTAINMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL-8 IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA: Ngozi Nwogwugwu (Babcock University)
Abstract: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) – 8 (Youth empowerment, Decent work and Economic growth) is among the 17 SDGs that United Nations by members nations by 2030. Nigeria is among the countries that have history of high youth unemployment, protracted labor negotiations with government on living wage and economy that had experienced recession several times in the last decade. Successive Nigerian governments, national and sub-national have adopted and implemented policies aimed at redressing the situation such as Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), the Economic Sustainability Plan, the National Development Plan and the N-Power program. Despite such program, country continues to experience massive fleeing of the country for greener pastures (JAPA) by many young people. The study examined the Impact of N-Power on the attainment of SDG-8 in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. Data were collected through administration of validated questionnaire to 200 N-Power beneficiaries in Lagos State. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that there is significant impact of N-Power on attainment of youth empowerment (F=5.735; Adj. R2 = 0.743; P<0.05). N-Power scheme has significant effect on the attainment of decent work (F=3.519; Adj. R2 = 0.640; P<0.05). N-power scheme has no significant effect on the attainment of economic growth in Lagos State, Nigeria (F= 0.209; Adj. R2 = 0.633; P>0.05). Conclusively, the study contributed valuable insights into the effectiveness of the N-Power scheme, shedding light on its impact on youth empowerment and skill development.

Does Outcome Ambiguity Affect Take-up of Government Social Programs? Evidence from a Pre-registered Conjoint Experiment in Canada: Christian Schimpf (University of British Columbia), Vince Hopkins (University of British Columbia), Priscilla Fisher (University of British Columbia)
Abstract: Low take-up rates of social programs present challenges to government investment in the welfare state. One reason for low take-up rates are ambiguous outcomes, which increase learning costs, i.e., the administrative burden. Peoples’ aversion to ambiguity might result in preferences for the status quo, which often means not applying or participating in social programs. Moreover, ambiguity aversion might be more prevalent among impoverished people. Consequently, those often targeted by social programs are least likely to participate. However, empirical research on how ambiguity aversion affects take-up yields mixed findings. The question thus is: What is the effect of outcome ambiguity on take-up of government social programs? We argue that the effect of ambiguity aversion on take-up depends on the type of program characteristics and outcomes (e.g., benefits). We use a pre-registered conjoint experiment in Canada (N=2,000) and results from a survey among the Canadian working-age population (N=2,000) to study the effect of outcome ambiguity on take-up in the context of employment services. We fielded both surveys in February 2024. We use machine learning to study treatment heterogeneity (conjoint experiment) and identify subgroups most prone to ambiguity aversion (survey). We find that people are ambiguity-seeking regarding gains (e.g., cash support) and ambiguity-averse regarding losses (e.g., time commitment). Our findings align with prior research that argues that outcome ambiguity can reduce take-up. However, we also highlight the role of multiple program features and outcomes. Our work has important implications for policy design and can inform future interventions to make public programs more accessible.