[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Improving Public Service Delivery in Pakistan

## Details

**Authors** Javed M

**Year** 2017

**Publisher** Cornell Policy Review

**Kind of work** article

**Discipline** Public Policy

**Kind of engagement** applications

[Read it](https://www.cornellpolicyreview.com/improving-public-service-delivery-pakistan-vision-mission-capacity-learning-vmcl-modelling/)

## In authors' words

### Abstract

[No abstract published; opening paragraph plus the article's framework passage, retrieved verbatim] In Pakistan, public service delivery has been marred by corruption, inefficiency and cumbersome red-tapism since Pakistan's independence in 1947. As per the Global Corruption Barometer released by Transparency International in 2013, 75 percent of survey respondents in Pakistan paid a bribe to its land services department. Similarly, 57 percent of respondents paid a bribe to utility services, and 45 percent paid a bribe to registry and permit services. When respondents were asked about which institutions/government officials they thought were extremely corrupt, 81 percent replied: civil servants and public officials. [...] Derek and Laura Cabrera explain that all human organizations are complex, adaptive systems characterized by four functions: Vision (V), Mission (M), Capacity (C), and Learning (L) or VMCL. [...] to maximize the potential of your organization, to make it resilient and adaptive, and laser-focused on its purpose, these four functions need to be consciously shaped by leadership. [...] Learning is the continuous modification of mental models based on feedback from the external environment. [...] learning is the driver of organizational vision, mission, and capacity. [...] to create an LO, an organization must follow three steps: 1. Build a culture of learning. 2. Train people to think in order to learn. 3. Use technology for organizational learning. [...] learning, mission and vision are a function of culture. So, the single thing that will bring together these three things about is culture.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

A Cornell Policy Review piece applying the Cabreras' VMCL model of organizations to public service delivery in Pakistan, marred by corruption and red tape since 1947.

### What they found (results)

Vision, mission, and capacity are driven by learning, and all are a function of culture — so building a culture of learning is the single change that brings the others with it.

## Commentary

### In short

A student application of DSRP, from the Cornell Policy Review systems thinking special issues.

**Patterns it shows** R

**How to cite this** Javed M (2017). Improving Public Service Delivery in Pakistan. Cornell Policy Review.