1. Introduction
The concept of Land, in modern land administration, defines resources and buildings as well as the marine environment essentially, the land itself and all things attached to it. Land is not just the earth that people walk on. It is fundamentally the way people think about a place
[1] | I. Williamson, S. Enemark, J. Wallace, and A. Rajabifard, Land Administration for Sustainable Development Sustainable Development. 2010. |
[1]
. Historically, modern land administration systems and resulting best practices realistically became established in the late 18th or early 19th century the establishment of modern land administration systems by colonizing powers such as England, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, and Spain. Today, the challenges in most developing countries are to integrate these so-called ‘modern’ land administration systems with indigenous cultures and tenure systems and rapidly expanding informal sectors and institutions
[1] | I. Williamson, S. Enemark, J. Wallace, and A. Rajabifard, Land Administration for Sustainable Development Sustainable Development. 2010. |
[1]
. Moreover, the modern land administration system is the most time-consuming and expensive task in implementation
[2] | P. P. Dale, “Is technology a blessing or a curse in land administration ?” 1999. |
[2]
.
The Ethiopian government, in its effort to end poverty and achieve sustainable development, has been issuing various urban and rural land-related policies, strategies, plans and programs. Ethiopia, in the last two decades, adopts some legal and policy positive measures to improve the old long-lasting poor land administration system
[3] | M. Belachew and S. Aytenfisu, “Facing the Challenges in Building Sustainable Land Administration Capacity in Ethiopia Facing the challenges in building Sustainable Land Administration Capacity in Ethiopia,” no. April 2010, pp. 11–16, 2010. |
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. However, those positive measures failed to continue in application to address local circumstances.
“As stipulated on “FDRE Rural Land Administration and Use Proclamation” No (FDRE 456, 2005)
[4] | FDRE 456, “Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Rural Land AdnJinistration and Use Proclamation NO. 456/2005,” 2005. |
[4]
, article 17 sub-article 1 Region shall establish institutions at all levels that shall implement rural land administration and land-use systems, and shall strengthen the institutions already established. Amhara national regional state introduces the modern land administration system as a regional level independently before two decades where its land administration system is the land administration system is an essential issue to Amhara national regional state concerning socio-economic, cultural, political, and environmental development
. Though, study on systematic evaluation of rural land administration efficiency on implementation of modern land administration is remaining untouched.
In a general sense, the institutional setting is one of the most important factors in contributing to the success of LASs
[6] | K. Deininger, “Land Institutions to Address New Challenges in Africa Implications for the World Bank ’ s Land Policy,” no. March, 2023. |
[6]
. Seamless study portrays that evaluating or measuring the performance of a process or a system of land administration is a basic prerequisite for improving productivity, performance, and efficiency
[7] | D. Steudler, “A Framework for the Evaluation of Land Administration Systems,” no. February, 2004. |
[7]
. Moreover, several study frameworks and methodologies show that any attempt to evaluate, characterize, and to assess land administration systems in the world was developed
[8] | G. B. Shibeshi, H. Fuchs, and R. Mansberger, “Lessons from Systematic Evaluation of Land Administration Systems. The Case of Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia,” WORLD Dev., vol. 68, pp. 282–295, 2015, hppts://dio.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.12.006 |
[8]
. However, often they wouldn’t properly address local problems and situations of progressive land administration systems in developing countries. In the land administration field, the coordination and development of reform projects and the evaluation of national land administration systems became more and more of an issue over the last decade
[9] | D. Steudler, A. Rajabifard, and I. P. Williamson, “Evaluation of Land Administration Systems,” 2004. |
[9]
. Methods of evaluation were developed by research, training, adoptive implementation, and proper criticism citation. The evaluation framework includes the political, cultural and legal aspects, the efficiency of institutions, the status of implementation of core land administration functions, the impact of operational, external factors, and existing monitoring mechanisms.
Numerous studies indicate that attempt to evaluate and quantify efficiency of land administration system based on frameworks of policy, management and operational levels, implementation of review processes and the impact of external factors was failed. However, this study attempted to quantify the explanatory variables in numeric value. The explanatory variables such as capacity building, data quality, good governance, customer satisfaction, and legal framework are determinant factors that affect the efficiency of rural land administration. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the efficiency of rural land administration from the perspective of modern land administration systems. Hence this study particularly identified the determinant factors that affect the success of rural land administration.
1.1. Statement of the Problem
In a general sense, the institutional setting is one of the most important factors in contributing to the success of LASs
[10] | A. G. Klaus Deininger, “Land Institutions to Address New Challenges in Africa Implications for the World Bank’s Land Policy,” no. March, 2023. |
[10]
. According to
[7] | D. Steudler, “A Framework for the Evaluation of Land Administration Systems,” no. February, 2004. |
[7]
, study portrays evaluating or measuring the performance of a process or a system of land administration is a basic prerequisite for improving productivity, performance, and efficiency. Most recent findings revealed that many study frameworks and methodologies show that any attempt to evaluate, characterize, and to assess land administration systems in the world was developed. However, often they could not properly address local problems and situations of progressive land administration systems in developing countries
[11] | G. B. S. Solomon Dargie Chekole, Walter Timo de Vries, “An Evaluation Framework for Urban Cadastral System Policy in Ethiopia Solomon Dargie Chekole (PhD Candidate) 1 Walter Timo de Vries (Prof.) 2 Gebeyehu Belay Shibeshi (PhD) 3,” pp. 1–12. |
[12] | A. Francis, A. Rajabifard, and D. Shojaei, “Land Use Policy Undertaking land administration reform : Is there a better way ?” vol. 132, no. April, 2023. |
[11, 12]
. Ethiopia, in the last two decades, takes some legal and policy positive measures to improve the old long lasting poor land administration system
[3] | M. Belachew and S. Aytenfisu, “Facing the Challenges in Building Sustainable Land Administration Capacity in Ethiopia Facing the challenges in building Sustainable Land Administration Capacity in Ethiopia,” no. April 2010, pp. 11–16, 2010. |
[3]
.
However, there was not seen continuity in the applicability of those positive measures on local circumstances. According to
, study also revealed that LAS in Amhara National Regional State seems to be wellstructured from the regional level to the village/kebele level. Thus, research on the systematic evaluation of the performance and efficiency in coordination between woreda and local kebelelevel land administration institutions is inadequate. According to
[8] | G. B. Shibeshi, H. Fuchs, and R. Mansberger, “Lessons from Systematic Evaluation of Land Administration Systems. The Case of Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia,” WORLD Dev., vol. 68, pp. 282–295, 2015, hppts://dio.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.12.006 |
[8]
, study revealed that weakness in the implementation of the land administration system in ANRS was several problems encountered.
Problems such as lack of proper professionals to fill the job positions, unqualified data management system, the land tenure insecurity, the important files were not documented safely and not fully computerized. These similar problems are provoked in Awi Zone, Banja Woreda rural land administration office. Therefore, this research is inspired to fill methodological gaps which were most commonly employed method to evaluate land administration system that is qualitative analysis method and case study, whereas this research was employed mixed-method and binary logistic regression model analysis to evaluate the effect of independent variables on the efficiency of rural land administration and use, and also this research has a scope difference than prior researches. Finally, this study advocates strengthening institution performance by directing relevant implications for detected problems in the study area.
1.2. Objectives
The overall objective of the study is to evaluate the institutional efficiency of rural land administration on the perspective of modern land administration systems in Banja woreda, Awi zone, Northwestern Ethiopia.
To address the general objective the following specific objectives are forwarded:
1. Assessing implementation practices of the modern land administration system in the study area.
2. Identifying the institutional capacity on the performance of Banja woreda rural land administration and use office.
3. Evaluating the technical capacity on the performance of Banja woreda rural land administration and use office.
4. Investigating the status of customer satisfaction on the services delivery by Banja woreda rural land administration and use office.
1.3. Research Hypothesis
The hypotheses are predictions about the outcome of the results, and they may be written as alternative hypotheses specifying the results to be expected. They also may be stated in the null form, indicating no expected difference or no relationship between groups on a dependent variable
[13] | J. W. CRESWELL, “Mixed research,” no. 1973, pp. 247–256, 2014. |
[13]
. Therefore, to verify the relationship between the dependent variable and independent variables, to accept or reject the significance of the study, the following hypotheses were developed regarding the factors on the efficiency of the rural land administration system in the case of Banja woreda office.
H1: legal framework
H2: valuation and compensation practice
H3: capacity-building
H4: accessibility of computerization
H5: provision of updated data quality
H6: good governance
H7: customer satisfaction.
1.4. Significance of the Study
This study is vital to strengthen the institutional performance of Banja woreda rural land administration and use office on the implementation of modern land administration systems. This study would also significantly point out the problems and gaps faced on the institution and the study were tried to illustrate the problem alleviation mechanisms. Moreover, this research would serve as an essential standing clue for who deals with the further related study. This study uniquely established the factors affecting the efficiency of rural land administration by using inference based. Consequently, this study would guide those working in land administration to incorporate modern land administration systems as an essential benchmark for the development of associated institutions. Justifications for selection of woreda level institution in integration with kebele organization level rather than regional and zonal level, it‘s because at the bottom major land administration tasks are highly taking place, and due to various cases like land-related disputes are provoked in case of ownership, boundary inaccuracy, land transaction inefficiency and ineffective land use management, and also lack of qualified professionals at both woreda and kebele level for specified activities. Therefore, this study would be important to alleviate problems confronted and suggests a responsible body to enhance institution performance and efficiency.
2. Research Methods and Materials
2.1. Description of the Study Area
This study would be conducted in Banja woreda, Awi zone, Amhara national regional state. The study area is located 128 km far from Bahir Dar city, 487 km far from the capital city of Ethiopia Addis Ababa. The Banja woreda comprises 25 kebeles, total population number 99097 and area in hectarage 50,175, elevation 2600, and total population density 1.975
[14] | P. Dorosh and E. Schmidt, “The Rural-Urban Transformation in Ethiopia,” 2010. |
[14]
. The study woreda bordered in the east by Tilili, west by Chagni and Fagita Lekoma woreda, north by Sekela and southeast bordered by Ankesha woreda (
Figure 1).
Figure 1. The study area map.
2.2. Research Approach
The purpose of this research is predominantly to evaluate the institutional efficiency of rural land administration from the perspective of modern land administration systems. The study used a mixed method research approach hence; the research design was explanatory sequential mixed method design. Moreover, this study employed various data collection and analytical methods
[15] | M. Denscombe, “The Good Research Guide,” 2014. |
[15]
. Depending on the nature of the data study were used both primary and secondary data sources. The primary data was collected through structured interview, open ended and close ended questionnaire with 185 sample households. Besides, key informant interview and focus group discussions were held with 15 officials, heads and experts, and with 10 local households.
The secondary sources of data were various journals, land registration office documents, empirical evidences of land administration office, land administration legal evidences and reports. Furthermore, the sampling techniques that the study was employed both purposive and simple random sampling to obtain relevant data from proposed samples. Employing various sampling techniques would help to increase the study certainty and validity.
Moreover, this study were employed both descriptive statistics and econometric models to measure the relationship between variables. Using descriptive statistics the mean, range, frequency minimum as well as maximum values of variables and cross tabulation results were indicated. While, using inferential analysis binary logistic regression model, collinear test, hosmer lem show and goodness fit test, level of significance were measured. The statistical analysis tool SPSS26 was employed to attain reliable results. Consequently, the result obtained was used as an indicator of the relationship between dependent and independent variables.
2.3. Sampling Techniques
The study was used both probability and non-probability sampling methods. In probability sampling, the research employed systematic random sampling, the reason that the study used a systematic random sampling method because the numbers of selected rural landholders are large. In the non-probability sampling method, the study employed purposive sampling. The reason that the study used purposive sampling to investigate the cases in staff quality management and to adhere to the samples or critical cases judged in office.
2.4. Target Population
The target population and key informants of this study comprised the customers/ households, experts, heads and managers of the woreda office, and experts of kebele organization. The target population was devised for this study from the selected three kebeles (Sankit ledeta Bassa Jankuta) rural landholders. The study total households are 2901, and key informants are from Banja woreda rural land administration and use officials include 1 manager, 4 department heads, 10 experts, 10 professionals, and 25 kebele experts.
2.5. Sample Size
The target population, N, is known, the study was used Cochran‘s (1996) formula to determine the sample size, n from the study population, N and e is the probability of error (within the desired precision of 0.05) with 95% confidence level. From target population of 2901 households implies 185 sample respondents approximately. The questionnaire was distributed within every 16th of the total population by using systematic random sampling. Where, N = Target population, n = sample size, e = 0.05 = (for 95% confidence level) p = 2% or 5%, q = 1-p = 0.98, e = 0.05, z2 = (2.005)2 = 4.020025.
=
By using proportional formula the study obtained the required samples, 853*185/2901=55, 1181*185/2901=75, 867*185/2901=55.
2.6. Data Sources and Instrumentation
The study has gathered data from primary and secondary sources. The primary data generated from woreda rural land administration and use officials, such as woreda/ kebele experts, professionals, customers, and households. To realize the above process the primary data collection was used multiple sources of evidence such as survey questionnaire, participant observation, structured interviews, and focus group discussion with kebele committees and officials of rural land administration. Moreover, the structured interview would have employed for a personal interview with the selected managers, and department heads and of the woreda experts, and also by using a systematic random sampling method the questionnaire was utilized for each sample of the study. Whereas, secondary data were collected from different sources, such as from relevant related literature, unpublished documents, office registers or registry books, government, and non-government reports.
Further, the quantitative instrument for survey questionnaire was developed to obtain an understanding of the relationship between the variables (social, economic political, organizational, and environmental) in the study area. The structured questionnaire, which is designed on the ordinal scale of measurement basis, was used to evaluate the correlation between dependent, independent, and intervening variables of the research. To communicate effectively with the respondents, the researcher has translated the questionnaire into the local language. While, the qualitative instrument for an interview guide was developed to interview the selected interviewee /key informants face to face and the responses were also recorded manually. The study was applied focused group discussions with selected kebele committees, with elders to gather relevant data. Observation was also another qualitative instrument in which the observer participates in the daily activity of the people under study, either openly in the role of researcher or covertly in some disguised role, observing things that happen, listening to what is said, and questioning people, over some length of time
[12] | A. Francis, A. Rajabifard, and D. Shojaei, “Land Use Policy Undertaking land administration reform : Is there a better way ?” vol. 132, no. April, 2023. |
[12]
. Participant observation was utilized as an additional instrument for evaluating the time management of managers, the way of service delivery to the customers and to assess data management qualities.
2.7. Data Analysis
The qualitative analysis was aimed to describe data gathered from structured interviews, focus group discussion, participant observation, and document analysis. Moreover, the qualitative analysis would be described using open coding techniques i.e. representing the data or texts by applying labels or codes that can relevantly support the mere description of information‘s gathered qualitatively. Quantitative data was gathered by distributing close-ended questionnaires. After the quantitative data were collected relevant data analysis, summarizing, and presenting were undertaken, and the latest version SPSSv26 software was used to analyze numerical data in terms of descriptive and inferential statistics. Furthermore, a binary logistic regression analysis was employed to investigate customer satisfaction level, institutional capacity, and technical capacity of the office in line with objectives. The reason that a binary logistic regression model was used due to the categorical and dichotomous nature of the dependent variable i.e. to obtain the probability of two possible outcomes either efficient or not.
2.8. Model Specification
Binary logistic regression is one of multivariable statistical analysis which is used to calculate the probability of two outcomes
[16] | H. Ae, “An Introduction to Logistic Regression : From Basic Concepts to Interpretation with Particular Attention to Nursing Domain,” vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 154–164, 2013. |
[16]
. In this study, the two possible outcomes are whether Banja woreda rural land administration and use office would be efficient or not efficient. Here the appropriate form for the dependent variable would be dummy variable taking the values 0 and 1 since two possible outcomes are probable; Yi = 1, rural land administration and use office is efficient 0, is not efficient The independent variables that affect the rural land administration and use efficiency as indicators are legal framework, customer satisfaction, data quality, good governance, capacity building, valuation and compensation, and computerization. Thus, the researcher had predicted the probability of rural land administration and use office efficiency based on these explanatory variables. The formula of the model seems as follows: Ln [Pᵢ/1-Pᵢ] = β0 + β1x1 + β2x2 + β3x3 + β4x4 + β5x5 + β6x6 + Ɛᵢ Where: Pi is the probability of an outcome β0 = Coefficient β1- β15 = Regression Coefficients representing the contributions of each independent variables X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6,………….. Xn to the predictors of dependent variable Y Ɛᵢ = error term.
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Reliability and Validity Analysis
To measure the consistency of the questionnaire particularly the Likert-scale, the reliability analysis is essential in reflecting the overall reliability of questions representing explanatory variables. To carry out the reliability analysis, Cronbach‗s alpha test is the most common measure of scale reliability and a value greater than 0.7 is very good acceptable.
Table 1. Reliability statistics.
Variables | Number of Items | Cronbach's Alpha |
Legal framework | 4 | 0.891 |
Computerization | 3 | 0.841 |
Capacity building | 3 | 0.714 |
Good governance | 4 | 0.736 |
Data quality | 3 | 0.723 |
Compensation and valuation | 4 | 0.810 |
Customer satisfaction | 3 | 0.782 |
Overall scale reliability | 36 | 0.937 |
Source: Survey results, 2023
Thus, as it can be seen from above
Table 2, the all explanatory variables reliability statistics reveals that the cronpach’s alpha test value is greater than 0.7 and result is acceptable.
To determine the validity of the instrument, a pilot test has been conducted on 10% of the main sample 15 usable questionnaire was employed by the researcher to be confident with the reliability of the study.
3.2. Demographic and Socio-Economic Characteristics
The demographic characteristics of households’ concerning gender status show that 59.8% were male respondents and the remaining 40.2% were female respondents. This indicates that in the study both males and females were fairly participated to provide relevant data. Respondents in age between 18-30 years account for 58 (32.4%) of the total respondents, followed by the age group 30-50 years which comprise 72 (40.2%) of valid responses, followed by age group above 50 years comprises 49 (27.4%). This description specifies that the majority of the respondent in this study was the age status between 30-50 years. As far as from the sample respondent of rural landholders the male-headed accounts 55 (30.7%), the majority of respondents were both male and female-headed owners that cover 81 (45.3%), the remaining respondents were femaleheaded owners they account 43 (24%) of total respondents.
3.3. Demographic Characteristics of Land Administration Officials
About 50 questionnaire survey was provided for Banja woreda rural land administration officials and kebele experts and all of the respondents were replied appropriately. This was to address the perception of officials on technical capacity, institutional capacity, and current practice of rural land administration implementation. Of this mainly included demographic characteristics of officials were such as gender, education level, the field of study, and work experiences. In terms of gender status of officials, about 31 (62%) were male respondents and the remaining 19 (38%) were female respondents. This designates that in the study both males and females were appropriately participated to provide intended data. The survey resulted most of the respondents have first degree 24 (48%) and ranging 4 (8%) of officials were second degree holders in qualifications. The rest ranging abut 22 (44%) were diploma holders.
To describe the field of the study of respondents; surveyor accounts 16 (32%), the following covers 10 (20%), 17 (34%), and 7 (14%) were geography, land administration, and other departments respectively. Here, the majority of respondents were surveyors and land administrators. These point outs that the rural land administration office was as good as it fulfilled the required positions to perform tasks. Likewise, about 4 (8%) of the officials have less than 1year work experience, 13 (26%) of respondents have work experience between 1-3 years, 19 (38%) have work experiences of between 4-6 years, 12 (24%) between 7-10 and 2 (4%) have above 10 years respectively.
3.4. Current Rural Land Administration System (RLAS) Practice
The current rural land administration system implementation practices assessed through interview focused on the attitude of managers and heads. Hereafter, the researcher raised the proposed questions, the first do you believe that the current land administration system applies to local cultures, political, socio-economic, and environmental aspects‘? The interviewee replied that the current modern land administration system is clear and also basically incorporated the core functions of the land administration system. However, there were major challenges encountered on the implementation of land administration system (LAS) were; lack of qualified experts which can manipulate technical tasks, lack of enough capacity building, shortage of budget, lack of vehicles for field works, inappropriate office management and there were inadequate office spaces, and also lack surveying instruments to undertake field tasks.
The succeeding interview response reveals that the implementation of four core land administration functions was integrated into one institution. The core land administration functions are land tenure, land value, land use, and land development. Moreover, the successful implementation of the core functions was identified. Consequently, the indicators revealed from the interviews in apart of land tenure; registration, and issuance of first-level book holding were accomplished, updating ongoing and land transactions also continuing. In the case of land value; interview response displays there was no clear valuation procedure for rural land expropriation situation and also the compensation practice for displacing was unfair and untimely.
Regarding land use and land development implementation of land use; there was unfit land use planning and realities on the ground, but there was in progress to improve base maps with comparing ground survey inputs acquired by surveying experts. Land development control was not well practiced in the Banja woreda land administration office. Consequently, there was an expansion of illegal settlements or construction on kebele centers planned for rural development programs. Therefore, relied on the interview results of core functions; land tenure and land value implementation tasks are in good progress, whereas land use and land development practices are less emphasized. The focused group discussion was concerned with the selected kebele committees on the basic issues such as ‗what are the major rights and restrictions of rural landholders‘? Bundle of rights on private land such as the right to use, right to transfer, right to possess, right to rent for a specified period, and not right to the sale. ‗The rights and restrictions on communal land‘ such as the right to restrict nonmembers, the right to use collectively with members, the duty not to damage communal property, and obligation to improve a communal property collectively.
The next FGD issue was concerned about the major cause of conflicts in your area. Hence, the FGD response reveals that the major causes of conflicts were boundary conflicts, easement disputes/right to way, and overlapping ownership on a single parcel due to illegal issuance of the book of holding. The succeeding issue taken into account with FGD was Do you have your own office and archive for documents‘? They replied there was no office to perform tasks, and similarly, there was a lack of awareness creation and capacity building. Moreover, the FGD response conveys that there wasn‘t coordination between kebele experts and committees to build a successful land administration system. Additionally, participant observation was emphasized to evaluate the time management of office, the way of service delivery of officials, and also to assess data management qualities. As a result, the participant observation reveals that there were no clear time management strategies for work, the customers were partially satisfied with the way of service delivery and customers were frequently disappointed to successfully resolve land dispute cases, and also the vital documents weren‘t organized safely and securely. Generally, several discussion results obtained from key informant interviews, FGD, and participant observation illustrates that the current implementation practice of Banja woreda rural land administration and use office is less efficient.
3.5. Institutional Capacity of RLAS
The 2011 report of the World Bank revealed that the rural land administration institutions are highly constrained by low staff capacity. Moreover, the situation is immensely complicated at the national level where more of the required position is not occupied by qualified professionals and skilled man experts.
3.5.1. Legal Framework
Some several laws and acts deal with the land, the relationship between landlord and tenants, mortgagor and mortgagee, assessment and collection of land tax, and land acquisition for a public purpose. All these are administered and maintained by land administration institutions. So the main aspects of the legislative framework of land administration incorporated in this study analyzed as follows in
Table 2. The researcher pursued to know the respondent‘s opinion on legal framework parameters.
Table 2. Legal framework aspects.
No | Statements | | Strongly disagree | disagree | neutral | agree | Strongly agree | Total |
1 | Gaps and inconsistencies in the Legal system are causing a big challenge in your daily work. | Frequency | 7 | 12 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 50 |
Percentage | 14.0 | 24.0 | 10.0 | 26.0 | 26.0 | 100 |
2 | The land administration legal frameworks shall be changed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your daily work | Frequency | 13 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 50 |
Percentage | 26.0 | 34.0 | 14.0 | 20.0 | 6.0 | 100 |
3 | In your office legal specialists sufficiently support in respect of legal issues | Frequency | 11 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 50 |
Percentage | 22.0 | 40.0 | 16.0 | 14.0 | 8.0 | 100 |
Source: Survey results, 2023.
Above table indicates gaps and inconsistencies in the legal framework impacts on the efficiency of the rural land administration daily work‘. According to the respondent's, the majority (52%) was agreed and strongly agreed in which that gaps and inconsistencies in the legal system are causing a big challenge on the ERLA in the study area. The legal framework for land administration system should be radically changed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your daily work. According to survey, the majority (60%) respondents replied disagree and strongly disagree. This implies that most of the respondents expressed their opinion that the current legal framework does not completely change to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of rural land administration. In terms of office legal specialists support in legal issues, the response rate indicates that the majority of the respondents 62% were disagreed and strongly disagreed. This conveys that the legal specialists do not sufficiently support in respect of legal issues.
Therefore, the overall analysis result depicts that a legal framework affects the efficiency of rural land administration and use office. Moreover, the results of the findings of
[17] | T. W. Zena, “An assessment of land related service delivery in addis ababa: the case of bole sub city,” no. June, pp. 1–100, 2014. |
[17]
revealed that officials from the land office have also confirmed that land-related regulations and guidelines are lacking clarity and not fully harmonized to provide efficient LA services. In a related study, indicated that increasing regulation of the land, the inclusion of all private rights, as well as public restrictions and responsibilities concerning the legal situation of the land, is becoming more and more of an issue for a fair and transparent land market and efficient land administration system.
3.5.2. Valuation and Compensation
The international standards of valuation have been increasingly adopted. Appraisers should employ appropriate methods and techniques to produce acceptable valuation outputs following requirements in the law. Moreover, the valuation and compensation practices vary contingent on socio-economic, environmental, and traditional aspects of different localities. Thus, the processes should be in a manner of employing clear and fair calculation methods of valuation and compensation.
Table 3. Valuation and compensation aspects.
Questions | Frequency | Percent |
Is the amount of money payable to evicted landholders is fair enough? | Low | 24 | 48.0 |
Fair | 26 | 52.0 |
Do expropriation conducted for projects planned for public purposes? | Never | 28 | 56.0 |
Always | 22 | 44.0 |
Is compensation always paid before evicted from their land? | After | 12 | 24 |
Before | 8 | 16 |
Before and after | 30 | 60 |
Total | | 50 | 100 |
Source: Survey results, 2023.
As stated in table above, to address explanatory variable adequacy of money payable to evicted landholders. The response rate of 26 (52%) respondents’ shows that the compensation paid for evicted landholders was fair. The remaining 24 (48%) respondents replied that the compensation paid for evicted landholders was low. The succeeding question ‗the expropriation conducted only for projects planned for public purposes‘? A response rate of 28 (56%) replied that never, that was not only for a public purpose but also for private investment and other urban expansion purposes. The other groups' responded 22 (44%) of respondents were supported always expropriation conducted for the public purpose only. The last question Is compensation always paid before eviction from their land‘? the response rate with 12 (24%) was replied the compensations always paid after the eviction of their land, 8 (16%) respondents replied the compensation always paid before, and the remaining majority 30 (60%) respondents replied that both before and after expropriated their land.
This directs the response of the respondents varies depending on their incidence of knowing the practice of expropriation and compensation. Consequently, based on the above response results, valuation, and compensation affect the efficiency of the RLA office. Additionally, valuation and compensation impacts were; due to lower compensations paid for evicted landholders, timely unpaid compensation, and also unfairness of payments were major difficulties revealed from interview results of the study. Subsequently, a similar study depicted that the compensation paid for victims was very low and cannot be considered as fair compensation
[8] | G. B. Shibeshi, H. Fuchs, and R. Mansberger, “Lessons from Systematic Evaluation of Land Administration Systems. The Case of Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia,” WORLD Dev., vol. 68, pp. 282–295, 2015, hppts://dio.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.12.006 |
[8]
.
3.5.3. Good Governance
Good governance principles and dimensions are used commonly as indicators of the performance of land administration institutions. Three central good governance principles namely transparency and accessibility of information, participation, equity, and accountability were considered as indicators
.
As shown on below
Table 4, the accountability of officials by their faulty actions and decisions; respondent rates 8 (16%) of strongly disagree, 8 (16%) of disagree, 9 (18%) replied neutral. The rest response rates of 19 (38%) and 6 (12%) replied agree and strongly agree. This implies that more than half 50% of officials were agreed for accountability to their faulty action and decisions. The survey also assessed the equal access to land information without discrimination for all as indicator. The response rates 13 (26%) strongly disagree, 18 (36%) disagree that means there was no fair access to land for all, and remaining 11 (22%) and 8 (16%) of respondents strongly agree and agreed on equal access to land without discrimination for all. This insights about 62% of respondents replied disagreed on the statement of equal access to land without discrimination for all. Another principle of good governance incorporated in this study is existence of clear and open service procedure in office.
Table 4. Indicators of good governance.
No | Statements | | Strongly disagree | disagree | neutral | agree | Strongly agree | Total |
1 | There is the accountability of land officials for their action or decision | F | 8 | 8 | 9 | 19 | 6 | 50 |
% | 16.0 | 16.0 | 18.0 | 38.0 | 12.0 | 100 |
2 | Equal access to land without discrimination for all. | F | 13 | 18 | 0 | 11 | 8 | 50 |
% | 26.0 | 36.0 | .0 | 22.0 | 16.0 | 100 |
3 | There is a clear and open service procedure in your office | F | 14 | 19 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 50 |
% | 28.0 | 38.0 | 8.0 | 18.0 | 8.0 | 100 |
Source: survey result, 2023.
As per result, the response of strongly disagree rates 14 (28%), disagree 19 (38%), neutral 4 (8%), and following agreed and strongly agreed takes 9 (18%) and 4 (8%) in turn. Hence, the majority of respondents with 66% disagreed as there was no clear and open service procedure in the study office. Therefore, from the three principles of good governance emphasized in this study two of the principles response result reveals that there is an influence of good governance on the efficiency of the RLAS. Moreover, the related study finding revealed that making certain information available reduces the chances of corruption, enables the public to make informed decisions, and performance and efficiency of land administration institutions
[18] | B. A. Fatemeh JAHANI CHEHREHBARGH, Abbas RAJABIFARD and and D. STEUDLER, “Performance Evaluation of Land Administration Systems - Implications of Performance Evaluation of Land Administration Systems - Implications of Global Initiatives (11921) Fatemeh Jahani Chehrehbargh, Abbas Rajabifard, Behnam Atazadeh (Australia) and,” no. June, 2023. |
[5] | T. A. B. Achamyeleh Gashu Adam, “Land Administration in Ethiopia : The Case of Amhara Region ER,” no. December, 2017, hppts://dio.org/ 10.1177/2321024917731841 |
[18, 5]
.
3.5.4. Capacity Building
Capacity building requires adequate investment in human resources training and staff development, and in technical resources, including buildings and equipment
[19] | FAO, “Capacity building Key facts,” pp. 38–39, 2007. |
[19]
. One of the weakest links in the civil service is the lack of focus on building institutional set up with clear roles and responsibilities. Addressing these obstacles is no simple task mainly due to a lack of focus on the capacity building initiative towards promoting sustainable institutional capacity. As indicated in
Table 5, in this section the researcher tried to address the sufficiency of human resource development program in land administration system. Response rates 35 (70%) respondents replied there was no sufficient professional and technical training, and lack of awareness to perform land administration tasks. Whereas the remaining 15 (30%) respondents’ replied there was sufficient expertise training, policy awareness and four core land administration functions implementation procedures. In terms of efficiency of field equipment for land administration tasks in office, about 30 (60%) of respondents reacted that there was no sufficient surveying equipment‘s. However, the remaining accounts 20 (40%) replied there was sufficient field equipment. The office space and working environment suitability to undertake land administration tasks was surveyed. The 29 (58%) respondents replied there was not sufficient space of the office to execute tasks. However, the remaining 21 (42%) of respondents replied there were sufficient chairs and shelves. The last issue raised to the official was transportation facilities to perform tasks. Accordingly, the response rates 28 (56%) of respondents countered there were not sufficient vehicles to facilitate field works of the RLA office. Though the remaining respondents’22 (44%) replied sufficiently.
Table 5. Aspects of capacity building.
Questions | Frequency | Percent |
Is the human resource development program in your woreda sufficient | not sufficient | 35 | 70.0 |
sufficient | 15 | 30.0 |
Do you have enough field equipment for land administration tasks in your Woreda | not sufficient | 30 | 60.0 |
sufficient | 20 | 40.0 |
Is the office space enough and suitable to undertake land administration tasks | not sufficient | 29 | 58.0 |
sufficient | 21 | 42.0 |
Do you have enough transportation facilities to perform your tasks? | not sufficient | 28 | 56.0 |
sufficient | 22 | 44.0 |
Total | 50 | 100 |
Source: Survey results, 2023.
3.5.5. Technical Capacity of RLAS
A land administration system contains, on one hand, the database containing spatially referenced land data, and on the other hand the procedures and techniques for systematic collection, updating, processing, and distribution of the data to the end-users in an efficient manner. The technical aspects play an important role in all parts of the land administration system including system development, data (capture, maintenance, access), and process designing
[20] | Z. Ali, A. Tuladhar, and J. Zevenbergen, “Developing a Framework for Improving the Quality of a Deteriorated Land Administration System Based on an Exploratory Case Study in Pakistan,” vol. 1, pp. 30–57, 2010. |
[21] | Z. Ali, Developing a Framework to Apply Total Quality Management Concepts to Land Administration (The case of Islamic Republic of Pakistan). 2010. |
[20, 21]
. All these aspects are most important to improve the efficiency of LAS by considering the pace of technology change and societal needs within a certain environment.
3.5.6. Computerization
Computerization of land administration records is one of the on-going activities enhance access to land records and reduce the ability of corrupt practices, which will improve the quality of service. As shown in
Table 6, to measure the computerization, level of knowledge on the land information software like ISLA (Information System for Land Administration) and NRLAIS (national rural land administration information system) was assessed. Thus, with a response rate of 7 (14%) were excellent, 14 (28%) very good, 14 (28%) good and the remaining 15 (30%) rates poor. Thus, the survey result point outs maximum rate of respondent's knowledge on land information software was poor to perform efficient land administration tasks. The subsequent question is on ability of backup procedures. About 6 (12%) of respondents were excellent, 15 (30%) very good, and the remaining 16 (32%), 13 (26%) results good and poor respectively. This result implies that the highest response rate 58% of respondents replied there was good and poor reliability of system backup procedures in Banja woreda land administration office.
Therefore, relied on the above result, the incomplete performance of computerization negatively affects the efficiency of the RLAS. According to
[8] | G. B. Shibeshi, H. Fuchs, and R. Mansberger, “Lessons from Systematic Evaluation of Land Administration Systems. The Case of Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia,” WORLD Dev., vol. 68, pp. 282–295, 2015, hppts://dio.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.12.006 |
[8]
, finding revealed that the delay in computerization can negatively affect the implementation of the cadastral system. In another related study, implementing the computerized system enabled users to sign up for users‘ right and carry instant searches online, enhance service delivery, improve tenure security, and assures efficient and effective LAs. A similar study confirmed that a manual system that is inherent and prone to errors and manipulation can hurt the reliability of the system.
Table 6. The aspects of computerization.
No | Statements | | excellent | Very good | good | poor | Total |
1 | How would you rate your level of Knowledge on the Land Administration Information System? | F | 7 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 50 |
% | 14.0 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 30.0 | 100 |
2 | How reliable is your current system backup procedures? | F | 6 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 50 |
% | 12.0 | 30.0 | 32.0 | 26.0 | 100 |
Source: Survey results, 2023.
3.5.7. Data Quality
There are areas where no proper land records are prepared due to the absence of the consolidation, settlement operations, and absence of new technologies. The land record data in the present LAS needs to be organized in a better way to provide full coverage of the parcel
[21] | Z. Ali, Developing a Framework to Apply Total Quality Management Concepts to Land Administration (The case of Islamic Republic of Pakistan). 2010. |
[21]
. In
Table 7, the accuracy of land administration data in land administration system was surveyed. Thus, the respondent's rate 8 (16%) of strongly disagree, 19 (38%) of disagree, and the remaining 9 (18%), 10 (20%), 4 (8%) respondent rates neutral, agree and strongly agree respectively. The majorities (54%) of respondent disagree on the data accuracy and quality, this response result shows there was no precision of data contained in the Banja woreda rural land administration office.
Table 7. Data quality measurement criteria’s.
No | Statements | | Strongly disagree | disagree | neutral | agree | Strongly agree | Total |
1 | land administration data contained in your system is accurate | F | 8 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 50 |
% | 16.0 | 38.0 | 18.0 | 20.0 | 8.0 | 100 |
2 | Archives to store land-related data are secure and safe | F | 12 | 18 | 0 | 12 | 8 | 50 |
% | 24.0 | 36.0 | .0 | 24.0 | 16.0 | 100 |
3 | The land administration data contained in your system are all up-to-date | F | 8 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 50 |
% | 16.0 | 38.0 | 18.0 | 20.0 | 8.0 | 100 |
Source: Survey results, 2023.
The following statement that land administration archives to store land-related data are secure and safe. The respondents' replied 12 (24%) strongly disagree, 18 (36%) of disagree and the remaining rates 12 (24%) of agree and 8 (16%) of strongly agree. Trusted on the above analysis, more than half of the response rate that 60% of respondents replied strongly disagree and disagree; this tells the archives to store land-related data were not in a safe and secure condition. The last statement, land administration data contained in your system are all up-to-date; this rates with 8 (16%) of strongly disagree, 19 (38%) of disagree, and the following response rates 9 (18%), 10 (20%), 4 (8%) respondents reply neutral, agree and strongly agree respectively. As a result, the above responses rates 52% of strongly disagree and disagree with the data contained in land administration were all up to date.
Therefore, the above overall analysis result reveals that there wasn‘t the accuracy of land data, all archives were not secure and in a safe condition, and also not up to date. This inherently points out that the quality of data affects the efficiency of RLA. Moreover, the related study disclosed that land administration system has adequate infrastructure to provide up to date and accurate land information, data input is reliable and there are efficient processes to reduce risks of difficulties. The supplementary study revealed that improved land record data eases the way for sorting, accessing, and disseminating this data at the local level for the users to produce an efficient land market. All these aspects are most important to improve the efficiency of LAS
[20] | Z. Ali, A. Tuladhar, and J. Zevenbergen, “Developing a Framework for Improving the Quality of a Deteriorated Land Administration System Based on an Exploratory Case Study in Pakistan,” vol. 1, pp. 30–57, 2010. |
[20]
.
3.5.8. Status of Customer Satisfaction
Organizations providing land administration services still need to monitor performance and quality of service provided to the public. It may difficult to measure the satisfaction level using direct indicators but the customers were asked to express their satisfaction with the services they received from the land office. As shown in the
Table 8, customer satisfaction on dispute handling mechanism; response rates 98 (54.7%) of respondent replied as they are dissatisfied. Moreover, as the researcher revealed from focused group discussion with kebele committees land disputes like boundary disputes, land transaction disputes, and easement conflicts were not resolved properly. Whereas, the 81 (45.3%) of respondents‘ replied that satisfied with dispute resolution mechanisms like the elderly (informal dispute resolution mechanism) were practiced and usually formal way of the resolution also emphasized by both kebele and woreda experts. Therefore, the above response rate indicates that the majority (54.7%) of respondents replied dissatisfied with the practice of the dispute handling mechanism in LAS.
The customer satisfaction on the appointment time of the service delivery, bout 103 (57.5%) of respondents replied as they were dissatisfied. However, the other group response rate 76 (42.5%) of respondents were satisfied with the service delivery of officials within the appointed time. The proceeding question, customer satisfaction on the attitude of the employees in the service delivery this response rate 108 (60.3%) respondents replied dissatisfied with the attitude of officials to provide necessary services. Though, the remaining 71 (39.7%) of respondents were satisfied with the attitude of officials on service delivery at the intended extent. In the next point, customer satisfaction on the completeness of data in service delivery; this response rate 93 (52%) of respondents replied as they were dissatisfied with the completeness of data in service delivery. However, the remaining 86 (48%) of respondents were satisfied with the completeness of information in service delivery.
Table 8. Aspects of customer satisfaction.
Questions | Frequency | Percent |
Customer satisfaction on dispute handling mechanism | Dissatisfied | 98 | 54.7 |
Satisfied | 81 | 45.3 |
Customer satisfaction on the appointment time of the service delivery | Dissatisfied | 103 | 57.5 |
Satisfied | 76 | 42.5 |
Customer satisfaction on the attitude of the employees in the service delivery | Dissatisfied | 108 | 60.3 |
Satisfied | 71 | 39.7 |
Customer satisfaction on completeness of data in service delivery | Dissatisfied | 93 | 52 |
Satisfied | 86 | 48 |
Customer satisfaction on amount of payments/fees for the service | Dissatisfied | 113 | 63.1 |
Satisfied | 66 | 36.9 |
The satisfaction of customers on clarity/transparency of the service delivery | Dissatisfied | 103 | 57.5 |
Satisfied | 76 | 42.5 |
Customer satisfaction on the motivation of officials for service delivery | Dissatisfied | 105 | 58.7 |
Satisfied | 74 | 41.3 |
Total | 179 | 100 |
Source: Survey results, 2023.
The succeeding question, ‗customer satisfaction on the number of payments/fees for the service; the response rate with 113 (63.1%) replied dissatisfied with the number of payments or fees for services. Whereas, the remaining 66 (36.9%) of respondents were satisfied with the fair amount of charges they incur. The following question, satisfaction of customers on clarity/transparency of the service delivery, the majority of 103 (57.5%) respondents replied they were dissatisfied with the clarity and transparency of service provided. Though, the remaining 76 (42.5%) of respondents reply indicates that they were satisfied with the clarity and transparency of service delivery.
Moreover, the related study naked that transparency and accessibility of information is a critical component for the effective and efficient functioning of LASs. The customers have provided the reasons for their low rating to service satisfaction level. Most of the customers have put reasons as long waiting time for the service, unavailability of qualified and ethical staff in the land office, and also a high amount of charges for services are encountered as major challenges on Banja woreda rural land administration office. Therefore, the overall descriptive analysis result of representing the customer satisfaction variable designates that dissatisfied.
3.6. Inferential Analysis and Interpretation
Inferential statistics is the procedure by which conclusions about a population based on the information contained in the sample which was drawn from respondents (Kothari, 1990). Thus, among inferential statistics methods, this study was employed a binary logistic regression model for investigating the research hypothesis. Binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the effect of explanatory variables on the response variable (ERLA). Binary logistic regression is a type of logistic regression analysis that the response variable is categorized by two categories or dichotomous. Whereas, independent variables can be more than one categories, continuous and ranked order.
Legal framework influences: Based on the regression analysis of the
Table 9 bellow, the legal framework is significant at a 5% level of significance. Hence, the result shows that the legal framework has a significant effect on the efficiency of rural land administration. Interpretation: Beta coefficient β1 =-8.060 < 0. Hence the reference category has disagreed. Odds ratio Exp (B) = 0.071 < 1. Therefore, the probability of ERLA is less likely for the response category than the referent category, i.e. higher respondents who responded disagreed on the aspects of legal framework compared to those who agreed; keeping all other independent variables are constant.
Customer Satisfaction: The analysis result reveals that customer satisfaction has influence on the efficiency of rural land administration, so the null hypothesis (H0) is rejected. Hence, the conclusion of the analysis result conveys that all explanatory variables of customer satisfaction have a significant effect on ERLA at a 95% confidence level.
Valuation and Compensation: practice of valuation and compensation is significant at 5% level of significance. This implies there is a significant non-linear relationship between efficiency of rural land administration and practice of valuation and compensation. Henceforth, the analysis result portrays that good practice of valuation and compensation has a significant effect on the efficiency of rural land administration. Interpretation: Beta coefficient β2 = 1.697 > 0. Hence, the reference category is ‘very low’. Odds ratio Exp (B) =2.898 > 1. Thus, the probability of ERLA is more likely for the response category than the referent category, i.e. 2.898 times higher the respondents who replied ‘fair’ on the aspects of valuation and compensation compare to those who replied ‘very low’. Keeping all other independent variables are constant.
Capacity Building: the capacity building is significant at 5% level of significance. So there is a significant non-linear relationship between the efficiency of rural land administration and capacity building. Later, the result shows that lack of capacity building has a significant effect on the efficiency of rural land administration. Interpretation: Beta coefficient β3 =-0.456 < 0. Hence, the reference category is ‘not sufficient’.
Odds ratio Exp (B) = 0.634 < 1. Therefore, the probability of ERLA is less likely for the response category than the referent category, i.e. higher respondents who responded ‘not sufficient’ on the aspects of capacity building compared to those who replied ‘sufficient’. Keeping all other variables are constant.
Computerization: The accessibility of computerization is significant at 5% level of significance. So there is a significant non-linear relationship between the efficiency of rural land administration and computerization. Hence, the result reveals that the accessibility of computerization has a significant effect on the efficiency of rural land administration.
Interpretation: Beta coefficient β4 =1.865 > 0. Hence reference category is ‘poor’, Odds ratio Exp (B) = 9.228 > 1. Therefore, the probability of ERLA is more likely for the response category than the referent category, i.e. 9.228 times higher the respondents who responded ‘excellent’ on the aspects of computerization compared to those who replied ‘poor’, keeping all other independent variables are constant.
Data Quality: providing updated data quality is significant at 5% level of significance. So there is a significant non-linear relationship between efficiency of rural land administration and data quality. Henceforward, the result revealed that providing updated data has a significant effect on the efficiency of rural land administration. Interpretation: Beta coefficient β5=-8.936 < 0. Hence the reference category has disagreed. Odds ratio Exp (B) = 0.037 < 1.
Thus, the probability of ERLA is less likely for the response category than the referent category, i.e. higher respondents who responded disagree on the aspects of data quality comparable to those who replied agree. Keeping all other independent variables are citrus paribus.
Good Governance: good governance is significant at 5% level of significance. Henceforth, the result indicated that the pinciples of good governance has a significant effect on the efficiency of rural land administration. Interpretation: Beta coefficient β6 =-1.422 < 0. Hence the reference category has disagreed. Odds ratio Exp (B) = 0.421 < 1. Thus, the probability of ERLA is less likely for the response category than the referent category, i.e. higher respondents who answered disagree on the indicators of good governance compared to those who replied agree. Keeping all other independent variables are constant (Appendix-1).
Table 9. Summary of hypothesis result.
No. | Hypothesis | P-value | Results of findings |
1. | Legal framework (LGF) influences the ERLA | .002 | Accepted |
2. | The accessibility of computerization (COP) influences the ERLA. | .016 | Accepted |
3. | Practice of valuation and compensation (VC) influences the ERLA | .013 | Accepted |
4. | Good governance (GG) influences the ERLA. | .027 | Accepted |
5. | Updated data quality (DQ) influences the ERLA. | .044 | Accepted |
6. | Capacity building (CB) influences the ERLA. | .040 | Accepted |
7. | Customer satisfaction (Cust) influences the ERLA | 0.05 | Accepted |
Statistically significant variables at 95 percent confidence interval: Source; Survey results, 2023.