The Impact of Public Consultation on Business Growth in the Virgin Islands
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 The Impact of Public Consultation on Business Growth in the Virgin Islands Arliene T. Penn Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Public Administration Commons, and the Public Policy Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Arliene T. Penn has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Kevin Fandl, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Ian Cole, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Lydia Forsythe, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract The Impact of Public Consultation on Business Growth in the Virgin Islands by Arliene T. Penn MS, Capella University, 2011 MA, American University, 2010 BA, American University, 2009 AS, H.L. Stoutt Community College, 2003 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Administration and Public Policy Walden University November 2020 Abstract Consistent public consultation in the making of policies and regulations is a problem in the Virgin Islands, affecting small businesses across the territory. Small business owners and the public have challenged the government to be more accountable and transparent in drafting and implementing legislation and regulations. The stakeholders are mainly concerned with those pieces of legislation and regulations that have a behavioral, social, or economic impact on their business, and, in turn, society. There is a lack of research on how the presence or absence of public input in the rulemaking process of business regulations impacts the economic growth and development of small businesses. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the direct and indirect impact of business regulations on the economic growth and development of small businesses in the Virgin Islands, particularly inns and villas. The research question concerned whether public consultation into proposed business regulations impacts business growth in the Virgin Islands. Small business owners with establishments on Tortola were interviewed between May and June 2019. The data analysis strategy incorporated a case study that explored the experiences of participants who were owners of small villas. The information was assessed through institutional theory and good governance concepts of transparency and accountability. The findings may be used by public officials and public officers to create business regulations that bolster a healthy and hospitable small business sector in the Virgin Islands. The Impact of Public Consultation on Business Growth in the Virgin Islands by Arliene T. Penn MS, Capella University, 2011 MA, American University, 2010 BA, American University, 2009 AS, H.L Stoutt Community College, 2003 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Administration and Public Policy Walden University August 2020 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to my husband, Mr. William Winston Penn, who encouraged me to start and finish this educational journey. There were times when I thought about giving up, and you would always say, “Do not look at the mountain. Remember, bit-by-bit; the bird builds her nest!” I am grateful for your support and continued unwavering commitment to God and our family. I thank you for being present and for always pushing me to move to the next level. Thank you for motivating and challenging me in different ways to finish this race successfully. Your words were indeed similar to those of Walden University—that the best dissertation is a finished one. William, overall, I thank you for your patience, encouragement, enthusiasm, and words of wisdom. I could not have had a better support system on this academic and professional journey. I love you and Praise be unto God Almighty, Abba our Father on this important achievement for both of us. Acknowledgments I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to Walden University for giving me the avenue through which I could access learning in the areas of public administration and public policy. I had a theoretical yet practical opportunity to implement my new knowledge in the workplace while learning from an amazing cadre of professors who pushed my thinking in every course taken on this doctoral journey. I thank my sons, Shaamuoy and Shaal’Que Baronville, and my adopted children by marriage for understanding why I had to take this dissertation with me on vacation as we navigated many destinations on cruises. I am happy that we were still able to enjoy the excursions and good conversations. Indeed, I am grateful to my chair, Professor Kevin Fandl, and committee member, Professor Ian Cole, for their guidance and leadership in this learning and development process. I purposefully searched for both of them based on one criterion: alums of American University in Washington, DC. I, therefore, knew what was expected of me in terms of quality work. I thank them both for meeting my expectations. The journey was not easy going, and I thank them both for their assistance and commitment to my development toward becoming a doctor of philosophy. In 2018, the Virgin Islands said goodbye to a former deputy governor and ombudsman, the late Elton Georges CMG, OBE. Mr. Georges introduced me to the concept of good governance in promoting ethical behavior in the public service. He oftentimes asked thought-provoking questions that encouraged me to think deeper about the importance of identity and legitimacy of public service; public service as a moral endeavor; and recognizing that good governance in government institutions is directly linked to economic progress. He believed that public officers and policymakers should collectively ensure commitment to the pursuit of greater accountability and transparency in rulemaking to strengthen the confidence of the public in democratic government. I also thank Dr. Irad Potter for encouraging me to think about the social impact of my work in strengthening the public service of the Virgin Islands. He reminded me on this journey that there is an opportunity for me to bring change through my study to help shape public sector reform and to create more transparent environments that encourage public dialogue and engagement. I appreciate the encouraging words from Reverend Dr. Melvin A. Turnbull. He was indeed my cheerleader on this journey of exploration and discovery. Mrs. Marva Wheatley-Dawson is another special person on this journey. My tertiary education began with her as my academic advisor and subsequently my educator in the areas of marketing, consumer behavior, and business development. I am forever grateful as I continue to see the connection of all my educational development. I also thank all those who took the time to give an encouraging word and supported me as I crossed the many hurdles to get to this significant milestone in my life. Lastly, I thank all of the individuals who participated in this study and those who contributed along the way; without them, I could not have a finished dissertation. Now, it is time for me to do my part by adding to the body of knowledge of academia and making my professional and social contribution to the public and business sector of the Virgin Islands, the rest of the Caribbean region, and the world. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................8 Research Question .......................................................................................................12 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................13 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................13 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................17 Definition of Terms......................................................................................................21 Assumptions .................................................................................................................23 Limitations ...................................................................................................................27