This research investigates how shared value can be created when both public and private organizations collaborate at various fronts. Particular attention is paid on how public-private collaboration would develop through discussions and open communication between government and business so as to contribute to building interest in the strategic development agenda of a state and lead to the adoption of mechanisms that create shared value for government, business, and society. The findings reveal that constructive dialogue and regular discussions could lead to better understanding the priorities of both government and society, to finding common ground for resolving social problems and for adopting a shared agenda through which value is created for all. The lead responsibility rests on government to take initiative for dialogue with business and society, to establish policies that are conducive to business development, and to provide incentives for public-private partnered solutions to public problems. Also, business must shift its classic way of profit-maximization strategy and not view government as merely regulator, but as partner with whom mutually beneficial results can be attained.

Th is is a multiple case study that investigates the motivations and ambitions of politicians who run for elections. It uses a mixed research design that applies inductive reasoning in the collection and analysis of data from six communities of rural Armenia. Data-collection instruments include in-depth interviews, focus groups, fi eld observations and community survey. Whereas the study considers various theories of motivation and ambition, the conclusive evidence shows that the attractiveness of offi ce at the local-government level in smaller rural communities is not driven by fi nancial considerations and is rather compelled by the desire to make a diff erence motivated primarily by personal interest in and dedication to bringing positive change in the quality of life in one's own community. Th e study also shows that motivators oft en stem from several other factors, including one's deep-rooted connection with the community, lineage, length of term in offi ce, record of community satisfaction, resultant personal power built over the years in service and the need to be acclaimed by one's own community. A derivative closely linked to the priority of building the personal reputation of an incumbent mayor is the resultant power of decision-making. Th ese conclusions can be explained using the model off ered by Besley and Ghatak (2005) where politicians view public service as a personal mission. Th is study connects personal drive to sense of community and ancestral presence. Th e study also explains why mission accomplishment is more attractive than personal profi t-making and how the sense of community and ownership are linked to personal drive.

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This case study examines the elements found in populist governance and the impact these have on controlling and use of divisive and non-participatory approaches in policymaking process. The research measures the degree to which efforts were made by the government or ruling regime to consider minority or opposition interests and actively engage a representative proportion of the population in the policymaking aspect of the democratic process. In this regard, the case of the Republic of Armenia (RA) is used to analyze the current regime’s governance and policymaking approaches and to identify major deviations, if any, from democratic principles and standards. Through the analysis of speeches and data collected from interviews, the case study identifies and explains the populist characteristics of the policymaking process practiced by the current regime, from agenda setting to implementation and evaluation.