Current Trends in Public Sector Research: Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference
Current Trends in Public Sector Research: Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference
Contributor(s): Petra Dvorakova (Editor)
Subject(s): Media studies, National Economy, Business Economy / Management, Energy and Environmental Studies, Civil Society, Labor relations, Economic policy, Environmental and Energy policy, Government/Political systems, Higher Education , Health and medicine and law, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Financial Markets, Public Finances, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting, Accounting - Business Administration, Tourism, Human Resources in Economy, Socio-Economic Research, Transport / Logistics
Published by: Masarykova univerzita nakladatelství
Keywords: Ghana's National Health Insurance; Social Media Engagement; Business Capital Structure; Public Administration; efficiency measuring; Public Hospitals; Baumol´s Cost Disease; Public Funding of Business;
Summary/Abstract: It was a real pleasure to serve as the Head of the Programme Committee of the Current trends in Public Sector Research conference, which was held in Brno in January 2019. During last years the conference became one of the main floors for the debate of experts in public economics, the non-profit sector, and public administration. The conference regularly hosts researchers involved in modeling public sector policies, evaluating their impact on public finance and social policy. The second group of researchers is usually devoted to public administration topics, such as responses to organizational changes, public sector leadership, or effectiveness of administrative services. This year edition of the conference aimed to bridge the gap between these two main tracks of the conference. The main conference topic – the experimental and behavioral research in public administration – uniquely links theoretical research with public administration applications.
- E-ISBN-13: 978-80-210-9257-0
- Page Count: 264
- Publication Year: 2019
- Language: English
Bridging the Gap: Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme and Its Impact on Under-Five Healthcare
Bridging the Gap: Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme and Its Impact on Under-Five Healthcare
(Bridging the Gap: Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme and Its Impact on Under-Five Healthcare)
- Author(s):Martha AMOAKO
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Government/Political systems, Health and medicine and law
- Page Range:9-17
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:Under-five healthcare; healthcare finance; NHIS; health equality; health policy;
- Summary/Abstract:Children under-five health care and well-being is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. An effective and sustained health system drives health care delivery and leverages effective healthcare outcomes, –particularly among mothers and under-five children. This study reviewed Ghana's health financing policy, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and its consequent impact on early childhood (0-5 month) healthcare outcomes. Drawing upon qualitative fieldwork in Ghana, the study made use of semi-structural interviews with women within the reproductive age (15-50 years) from a diverse working background (including officials from the GHS and selected hospitals) in three selected study areas in the Western Region of Ghana. Institutional data from National Health Insurance Authority, World Bank, and Ghana Health Service were used to complement the interviews. The study revealed that though the national health insurance scheme is positively correlated with good childhood outcome, its implementation does not deliver on its intended purpose of closing the inequality gap in child healthcare. The study recommends that national health insurance coverage be expanded through a partnership with private medical insurance and service providers to enable pregnant women and nursing mothers have easy access to healthcare.
Industrial Cooperation, Knowledge Sources and the Role of Public Sector in Manufacturing Firms: Case of Spain and Portugal
Industrial Cooperation, Knowledge Sources and the Role of Public Sector in Manufacturing Firms: Case of Spain and Portugal
(Industrial Cooperation, Knowledge Sources and the Role of Public Sector in Manufacturing Firms: Case of Spain and Portugal)
- Author(s):Henry Junior Anderson, Solomon GYAMFI, Jan Stejskal
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Business Economy / Management, Economic policy, Comparative politics, Public Finances
- Page Range:18-25
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:Public funds; Cooperation; Knowledge; Spain; Portugal;
- Summary/Abstract:Public Funding for firms has been argued as a catalyst for firms’ cooperative and knowledge generative activities in contemporary knowledge-based economies. As innovation potential is widely poised as regional competitive ability, firms’ cooperation with partners have been revered as a preliminary activity to establishing networks whilst sharing diverse knowledge from partners involved to initiate or even mediate innovation. Using data from Community Innovation Survey (2012-2014) and SEM analysis on Spanish and Portuguese manufacturing firms, the paper assesses the relevance of public funds on cooperation tendencies of firms, knowledge sourcing from partners and eventually, the moderator role played by cooperation in appropriating public funds for knowledge acquisition. It was found that public funding significantly influences cooperation in Spain than in Portugal whilst cooperation was much more influential in sourcing for knowledge from partners in Portugal than in Spain. Results also revealed a slightly higher moderator ability of cooperation in Spain than in Portugal. Country-specific recommendations were further created.
Organizational-legal Form of Czech Hospitals – Analysis of the 2006 ´Window of Opportunities
Organizational-legal Form of Czech Hospitals – Analysis of the 2006 ´Window of Opportunities
(Organizational-legal Form of Czech Hospitals – Analysis of the 2006 ´Window of Opportunities)
- Author(s):Olga ANGELOVSKÁ
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Government/Political systems, Health and medicine and law, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010)
- Page Range:26-34
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:multiple streams framework; hospitals; health care system;
- Summary/Abstract:A key feature of Czech health care reform after 1989 was the principle of de-monopolization and decentralization. At the same time, the health care reforms focused on the privatization of health care facilities and health care providers. Therefore, the paper deals with the efforts to change the organizational-legal status of hospitals after 2000, i.e. after a reform of the state administration occurred. The paper uses the multiple streams framework to describe successful process in giving a legislative anchor to the new organizational-legal form of hospitals and to identify the most important policy entrepreneurs. It maps all three streams (policy, politics and problem streams) and uses a broader concept including agenda setting as well as decision-making process. A policy window opened and allowed a policy change in 2006 when 245/2006 Coll., on Public Non-Profit Institutional Medical Facilities passed. The research adopted a single-case study design. Data were obtained through document analysis (law proposals, resolutions of Constitutional Court, stenographic records, strategic documents etc.). Examined period covered years 2002 – 2006. Findings confirmed the assumption that all three streams play a role for agenda coupling while in case of a decision coupling, the political stream is the most important.
What Matters in Social Media Engagement? Czech Social Service Organizations´ Example
What Matters in Social Media Engagement? Czech Social Service Organizations´ Example
(What Matters in Social Media Engagement? Czech Social Service Organizations´ Example)
- Author(s):Pavel Bachmann
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Media studies, Social Informatics, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
- Page Range:35-41
- No. of Pages:7
- Keywords:Social Media; Facebook; Social Services; Nonprofit Organization; Engagement;
- Summary/Abstract:The social media effect is greatly affected by an ability of organization to engage its community and stakeholders. Therefore, the study primarily aims on communication published on organization´ social media and on engagement related to the nature of service, respectively related to the content type of post. At the first research phase, the research sample is composed of 185 nonprofit nongovernmental organizations from the field of social services and located in the Czech Republic. At the next research phases, an in-depth analysis of 550 Facebook posts published by 55 organizations is conducted. An engagement rate is measured with a set of metrics, including responsiveness, involvement, and virality. Results showed that social service organizations use Facebook as their primary social medium. Moreover, stronger statistical differences in engagement were found according to the organization´ primary orientation than according to the content type of posts. Statistically higher engagement rate was recorded in organizations oriented on children and youth, homeless people, and physical disabilities. Vice versa, the lower engagement was found in organizations dealing with family problems, mentally disabled or integration of foreigners.
Project Management Teaching at Czech Public Universities in the Context of Project Manager Competencies Covered within the National Competence Baseline of Project Management, version 4
Project Management Teaching at Czech Public Universities in the Context of Project Manager Competencies Covered within the National Competence Baseline of Project Management, version 4
(Project Management Teaching at Czech Public Universities in the Context of Project Manager Competencies Covered within the National Competence Baseline of Project Management, version 4)
- Author(s):Kateřina Bočková, Daniel Lajčin, Monika Dohnanská
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Higher Education
- Page Range:42-49
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:Project management; teaching; project manager; IPMA; certification;
- Summary/Abstract:The aim of presented paper is to synthesize the results obtained by comparison with desk research and consultations carried out at selected Czech public universities in the academic year 2018/2019 in order to identify the coverage of the project manager competencies mentioned in the National Competence Baseline of Project Management, version 4, in lectures, exercises or seminars, of course Project Management and transdisciplinary in the context of teaching of related managerial and economic courses. The benchmark was the National Competence Baseline of Project Management (NCB), version 4 issued in 2018. Due to the availability of relevant information resources for the realization of desk research and consultations, the survey was conducted at VŠE Praha, ČVUT Praha, VUT Brno, UP Olomouc, VŠB-TU Ostrava, as a sample of universities in which some form of project management is taught. We used an analysis of the available documents, specifically NCB ver. 4 with an emphasis on the identification of project manager competencies in the context of meeting the requirements for candidates for D level certification of project managers. Further syllabuses of managerial and economic courses of individual analyzed universities were used. Valuable backgrounds were the personal consultations with guarantors and teachers of relevant courses during the winter term of the academic year 2018/2019. The prerequisite for the comparison of the outputs obtained through the desk research and consultations is the content of the certification exam for the D level certification. Important information is the fact that the presented paper does not compare the quality of teaching, but only the content of the subject matter in the analyzed courses.
The Role of Fiscal Considerations in Business Capital Structure: Evidence from Innovative Start-ups
The Role of Fiscal Considerations in Business Capital Structure: Evidence from Innovative Start-ups
(The Role of Fiscal Considerations in Business Capital Structure: Evidence from Innovative Start-ups)
- Author(s):Valeria BUCCI
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Business Economy / Management, Economic policy, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting
- Page Range:50-57
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:Public Policies; Companies’ Capital Structure; Equity Financing; Innovation; Innovative Start-ups;
- Summary/Abstract:A central debate in public policy finance is the role of fiscal considerations in companies’ capital structure. In a fiscal system allowing interest-expenses deductibility, the disparity in the tax treatment of equity and debt could affect financing choices. In order to solve welfare losses, public action should intervene by aligning the fiscal treatment of debt and equity, achieving tax neutrality. Otherwise, public action can be designed in order to affect financing choices indirectly, increasing companies’ attractiveness for new outsider investors. An example of such policies is provided by the Italian Growth Decree, which introduced fiscal incentives for individuals or legal entities investing in innovative start-ups. Using data on young Italian companies, this paper investigates if corporate financing choices have been affected, by one side, by the fiscal benefits due to interest expenses deductibility and, by the other side, by the attractiveness of innovative start-ups for outside investors. The empirical results show that companies decrease the level of equity ratio when the marginal tax rate increases; moreover, due to the possibility for outside investors to obtain fiscal saving, innovative start-ups result more incline to prefer equity financing.
The Nostalgianomics of Living Preferences: Where Would You Like to Live?
The Nostalgianomics of Living Preferences: Where Would You Like to Live?
(The Nostalgianomics of Living Preferences: Where Would You Like to Live?)
- Author(s):Mária Murray Svidroňová, Luboslava Kubisova, Jolana GUBALOVÁ, David Cole
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Rural and urban sociology
- Page Range:58-65
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:Metropolises verzus Small towns; Living preferences; Nostalgianomics; Slovakia;
- Summary/Abstract:In this paper, we argue that a counter-balance is needed to metropolises, especially in small European countries. Rural areas and small towns are necessary and must remain economically viable from the point of view of public administration. The objective of the paper is to investigate the concept of nostalgianomics from the point of view of living preference in Slovakia. Using a new measurement scheme, we analysed the preferences of where people would like to live with a sample of almost 500 individuals and introduce a new term of nostalgianomics – a concept that nostalgic sentiment can be used as an economic and creative force as an incentive for investment and housing. In this paper, we focus especially on the area of living preferences and urban planning. Among the methods employed are questionnaire survey and basic statistical analysis. The main findings indicate that Slovaks prefer to live in smaller municipalities and in areas outside of large metropolitan areas – the attraction is driven by a nostalgic sentiment.
Administrative Fragmentation and Productivity of Firms. Case Study: Slovakia
Administrative Fragmentation and Productivity of Firms. Case Study: Slovakia
(Administrative Fragmentation and Productivity of Firms. Case Study: Slovakia)
- Author(s):Tomáš Černěnko, Vladimír PECIAR
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Business Economy / Management, Accounting - Business Administration
- Page Range:66-75
- No. of Pages:10
- Keywords:administrative structure; fragmentation; functional urban regions; productivity;
- Summary/Abstract:The administrative structure of Slovakia belongs to the most fragmented in Europe. Several scholars argue that administrative fragmentation leads to weak institutional environment and therefore retards economic development on local level. The aim of our paper is to find out whether the fragmented administration structure in Slovak functional economic regions has an impact on productivity of firms based in these regions. To prove the assumption, we use regression model and try to explain the change of firm productivity across FURs by indicators on the FUR structure. First, we calculate the productivity of firms (TFPR – total factor productivity of revenue) based on data of almost all enterprises in Slovakia. To describe the structure of FUR we use indicators such as administration effectiveness, fragmentation rate, concentration of population in the core and the share of built-up area as a proxy for infrastructure. These are based on data on local government units aggregated to FUR. The results show, that the indicators on the inner structure of FUR (in the manner of settlements) do not significantly affect the productivity of firms located in the region. Indicators, that do are those on politico-administrative structure (effectiveness of local government units and fragmentation rate) and infrastructure (the share of built-up area).
Value Preferences of Employees Working in the Non-profit Sector
Value Preferences of Employees Working in the Non-profit Sector
(Value Preferences of Employees Working in the Non-profit Sector)
- Author(s):Martina GLASEROVÁ, Klára KOBLÍŽKOVÁ
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Management and complex organizations, Human Resources in Economy
- Page Range:76-83
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:non-profit organizations; organizational identification; value orientation; Schwartz Value Survey; HR management;
- Summary/Abstract:The success and effectiveness of non-profit organizations cannot simply be expressed through traditional indicators based primarily on profit, because their evaluation is not primarily based on the amount of generated profit. Missions of non-profit organizations are completed and developed through their staff and the values they share. The aim of this study was to map the value preferences of employees of a selected non-profit organization, to identify both their motivation for work in the non-profit sector in terms of the composition of their value ladder and to what extent they identify with the organization. The degree of identification with the organization can be one of the key means to positively influence the effectiveness and success of the organization. The data was obtained from a questionnaire survey based on the Schwartz's Portrait Value Questionnaire extended by a graphical scale and additional questions mapping the degree of identification with the organization. The data were further corrected by converting them into comparable values and statistically analyzed based on the calculation of mean values and the Pearson correlation coefficient. Determination of the employees' value setting and their degree of identification with the organization could become a tool to detect another factor that may cause conflicts in the organization and have a negative impact on its functioning and consequently its success.
Public Sector Financial Support for SME Innovativeness: Case Study of Selected CEE countries
Public Sector Financial Support for SME Innovativeness: Case Study of Selected CEE countries
(Public Sector Financial Support for SME Innovativeness: Case Study of Selected CEE countries)
- Author(s):Solomon GYAMFI, Henry Junior Anderson, Jan Stejskal
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Business Economy / Management, Economic policy, Comparative politics, Economic development, Public Finances
- Page Range:84-91
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:Firm Innovativeness; Public sector financial support; Small and Medium-Size Enterprise;
- Summary/Abstract:The impact of innovation on economic development cannot be underestimated. Innovation has been touted as the anchor on which firms can nick a competitive advantage for themselves. Over the years, public sector interest in innovation has been emphasized due to the impact innovation has made on economic development of some nations. Different public sector support systems are available to firms to access for their innovative activities. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME’s) play vital role in the economies of most countries. Despite their contribution to development, they are constrained by inadequate funds to engage in R&D for innovation. In the light of this, the research sought to find out whether the innovativeness of SME’s from Selected CEE Countries determines the public financial support from the government or the European Union. The logistic regression model was employed using the harmonized European Union Community Innovation Survey 2012-2014 data for the empirical analysis. Our results indicate that SME’s that are engaged in innovative activities attract public financial support from national government and/or the European Union. This is because, the public sector financial support from the government and the EU target firms that are already engaged in innovation or show potential to be innovative.
Facebook Practices of the Czech Regional Capitals – Pilot Insights in the Character of the Communication with Citizens
Facebook Practices of the Czech Regional Capitals – Pilot Insights in the Character of the Communication with Citizens
(Facebook Practices of the Czech Regional Capitals – Pilot Insights in the Character of the Communication with Citizens)
- Author(s):Filip Hrůza, Lucia MAKÝŠOVÁ
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Media studies, Civil Society, Public Administration, Social Informatics
- Page Range:92-98
- No. of Pages:7
- Keywords:In-depth analysis; descriptive statistics; regional cities; Facebook;
- Summary/Abstract:Social media are continuously becoming a new significant tool for public administrations, not only for reaching their communities, but also for getting feedbacks, generating discussions or stimulating other forms of civic participation. From this perspective, the introduction and use of social media in public administration have enabled to intensify and expand this two-way relationship between public administration bodies on a particular level of government and the public or relevant stakeholders. Current practice and previous relevant research show public administration entities use social media with diverse intensity, purpose or strategy. This research is gathering current experience and knowledge concerning this specific issue abroad and with focus on the Czech Republic. The sample contains the data of the Facebook posts of the Czech regional capitals and the aim of the paper is to analyse what type of information local governments publish through its Facebook pages and how public is engaged in the communication.
Competencies and Financing of the City of Bratislava and its Boroughs
Competencies and Financing of the City of Bratislava and its Boroughs
(Competencies and Financing of the City of Bratislava and its Boroughs)
- Author(s):Tomáš JACKO, Alexandra KAŇKOVÁ
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Public Administration, Economic policy, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting
- Page Range:99-106
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:local government; competencies; financing; Bratislava; efficiency;
- Summary/Abstract:The aim of the paper is to analyze selected competencies and their financing in the City of Bratislava and its 17 city boroughs. The representatives of the City of Bratislava and the respective boroughs argue that they receive insufficient funding in terms of central government income tax revenue distribution. Furthermore, according to research, the current system is costly, inefficient and does not deliver the same quality standards of public service provision for all citizens in Bratislava. The article offers suggestions for possible changes in order to decrease the cost and increase efficient use of public finances. Two key solutions are proposed and discussed. First, reduction in the vast number of city borough councillors. Second, using the analysis of selected competencies transferred from the central government to the municipal registry offices and construction offices, the paper provides a comparative perspective and shows the differences in expenditure and efficiency of individual boroughs and their respective offices. The authors identify performance benchmarks among boroughs and discuss the claims of insufficient funding given to construction offices. The authors collected quantitative data which shows contrasting differences in expenditure and efficiency among the 17 boroughs. Based on an analysis of final accounts and other statistical data, the paper presents results that could make public expenditure of Bratislava city boroughs more economic and efficient.
The Impact of Public Expenditure Efficiency on Labour Productivity in V4 Countries
The Impact of Public Expenditure Efficiency on Labour Productivity in V4 Countries
(The Impact of Public Expenditure Efficiency on Labour Productivity in V4 Countries)
- Author(s):Eva Jílková, Miroslava ZÁVADSKÁ
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Labor relations, Economic policy, Comparative politics, Public Finances
- Page Range:107-114
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:labour productivity; average wages; labour market policies expenditure; Visegrad countries;
- Summary/Abstract:This paper is focused on the comparison of labour productivity in the four Visegrad countries (the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and Poland). It briefly deals with the measurement of labour productivity on a macroeconomic scale. The main goal of this paper is to compare the development of labour productivity in the four Visegrad countries as related to public expenditures based on labour market policies and average wages. We use linear and nonparametric correlation analyses to quantify the association between the tested variables. To explore associations between variables we also use graphical displays. The results of our analysis on labour productivity show the dependency of the two indicators, namely the labour productivity and average wages. Moreover, no correlation was found between labour productivity and public expenditure on labour market policies for all V4 countries. The outcome for labour market policies expenditure shows in the highest correlation between the Czech Republic and Hungary, but no significant result for other V4 countries. It could be caused by different government strategies on labour policy and non-economic influence.
The Changing European Labour Market and its Consequences on Social Expenditure System
The Changing European Labour Market and its Consequences on Social Expenditure System
(The Changing European Labour Market and its Consequences on Social Expenditure System)
- Author(s):Magdaléna Kotýnková, Mirka Wildmannova
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Labor relations, Welfare systems, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:115-121
- No. of Pages:7
- Keywords:social expenditure system; labour - saving technologies; digitisation of production; long - term unemployment;
- Summary/Abstract:During the second half of the 20th century, significant changes in the structure and concept of the welfare state in Europe have emerged, mainly due to the changes in labour market. Since the 70s last century, progressive implementation of labour - saving technologies and current technologies based on the Internet of Things, Data and Services have been changing economic activity and consequently the character and forms of work. The accompanying phenomenon of these changes has been growing labour market uncertainty and unemployment. People threatened by the unemployment, especially by the longterm unemployment became dependant on social benefits and do not adequately contribute to the social system used to finance the benefits. Therefore, welfare state has found itself in a crisis. The aim of our discussion is to evaluate social expenditure trends of the EU Member States in the light of the labour market changes. Social expenditure trends are researched on the ESSPROS - Eurostat database on social protection. The methods used are extrapolation and prediction. The original welfare state was built on a well-functioning labour market with sufficient jobs creation, but new social risks emerged in last decades. We agree that the European countries will have to make a crucial decision, whether the European social model, which has played a key role in maintaining social contract in the past, is sustainable even in the future.
Efficiency Measuring in Public Administration from the Employees´ Perspective
Efficiency Measuring in Public Administration from the Employees´ Perspective
(Efficiency Measuring in Public Administration from the Employees´ Perspective)
- Author(s):Martin Kráľ, Ladislav Hájek
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Public Administration, Labor relations, Human Resources in Economy
- Page Range:122-129
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:Efficiency; Public Sector; Survey; Efficiency measuring;
- Summary/Abstract:Most developed countries around the world still have budget deficits at the moment of economic growth. Instead of creating reserves for a period that may not be beneficial from a macroeconomic point of view, most of these countries are increasing consumption expenditures and virtually passing through their income. In addition, in recent years, the issue of efficiency not only of consumer spending but also of investment projects has become more and more frequent. Ensuring objective monitoring and evaluation of efficiency in public administration is, however, very problematic, both from the point of view of politicians´ and managers´ abilities, as well as from their fear of failure. This paper describes basic ways to measure efficiency in the public sector. Its aim is to identify a method of measuring efficiency based on a survey of employees in public administration in the Czech Republic, which is the most appropriate - on the basis of selected criteria (e.g. simplicity, complexity, time requirements, etc.). The survey results show that the most promising measurement of efficiency is through performance indicators. On the contrary, methods that are often used to evaluate business performance are not transferable to public sector at all. The reason is their big focus on profit or theoretical and application complicatedness.
Evaluation of the Service Quality in Public Hospitals from the Patient’s Perspective – the Case of Albania
Evaluation of the Service Quality in Public Hospitals from the Patient’s Perspective – the Case of Albania
(Evaluation of the Service Quality in Public Hospitals from the Patient’s Perspective – the Case of Albania)
- Author(s):Sllavka Kurti, Petrit Dollani
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Evaluation research, Health and medicine and law
- Page Range:130-139
- No. of Pages:10
- Keywords:Healthcare; public hospital; service quality; SERVPERF;
- Summary/Abstract:Patient's outlook and opinions need to be taken increasingly into consideration, because they are the ones who consume the services and are therefore provided with more valuable information on the manner and quality of the services being offered. For this reason, the assessment of patient opinion on the general aspects of hospital care, collected during hospital stay, could provide an opportunity to identify potential areas where patients are satisfied or dissatisfied, as well as to present a general picture regarding the quality of services provided by the hospital, in order to take appropriate action to improve them. The aim of this paper is to present a set of perceptions about the quality of health services that patients receive during their hospitalization in public hospitals in Albania, focusing particularly on two research questions or topics, general satisfaction with hospital services and the rating of hospital health services though patient perceptions. Methodologically, this paper is initially based on primary research, most notably through the SERVPERF method, where the quality of hospital services is evaluated through measuring 5 component dimensions: Tangible, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance, and Empathy. The instrument used was a questionnaire, answered by 115 patients hospitalized at the regional hospital in Durres City, one of the largest hospitals in Albania. The data collected were processed and aggregated to conclude in the overall assessment of the quality of hospital services from the patient point of view with regard to responsiveness (best evaluated), followed by assurance, reliability, empathy and tangible elements.
How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Science-policy Interface: A Postmodernist Approach
How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Science-policy Interface: A Postmodernist Approach
(How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Science-policy Interface: A Postmodernist Approach)
- Author(s):Tomáš Michalek
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Philosophy of Science, Methodology and research technology
- Page Range:140-147
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:science-policy interface; effectiveness; knowledge brokering; boundary work; postmodernism; social construction;
- Summary/Abstract:The effectiveness of science-policy interface, and especially its evaluation, remains an elusive concept in the SPI literature. Many authors work with the so-called CRELE model which connects the credibility, relevance and legitimacy but they fail to really operationalize this model. This article explores postmodernist approaches via a conceptual analysis of the SPI theory. Building on a constructivist position of postmodernism, the principal argument is that if the social constructions of roles are being similar, the effectiveness of SPI will be higher than if the roles are constructed differently. We conceptualize the social constructions of roles with a combination of values and processes on one side and scientific information, actors, boundaries and boundary work on the other. The paper is focused on a theoretical discussion and methodological framework development for a future research. First, we clarify why it is relevant to use a postmodernist methodology. Then, we use it for a theory analysis of the SPI literature. In the conclusion, we propose a set of indicators that could be tested in a future empirical research.
Innovative Ways of Citizen Participation in Delivering Public Services
Innovative Ways of Citizen Participation in Delivering Public Services
(Innovative Ways of Citizen Participation in Delivering Public Services)
- Author(s):Beáta Mikušová Meričková, Nikoleta MUTHOVÁ
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Civil Society
- Page Range:148-156
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:Citizen; Crowdsourcing; Participation; Public services;
- Summary/Abstract:The development of new technologies, social media and web 2.0. enable, inter alia, to address the problem of ineffective providing of public goods (free-rider problem). Thanks to growing connectivity it is now easier than ever for individuals to collectively contribute with ideas, time, expertise, or funds to public policy projects. This collective action is crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing is the practice of engaging crowd for a public interest, primarily online through social media and crowdsourcing platforms, and leverage their networks for greater financial support and advocacy initiatives with a social impact. The goal of the paper is to introduce the crowdsourcing as the possibility to correct public service delivery failure and to identify the crowdsourcing development factors. The method of survey experiment is used to demonstrate the provision of public goods through crowdsourcing in community centre. The outcomes of research can be useful for government in public service charging and for non-governmental organizations in donations opportunities identifying.
Optimization for Minimal State: Case Study of Bureaucracy Ratio in Czech Armed Forces 1997 -2017
Optimization for Minimal State: Case Study of Bureaucracy Ratio in Czech Armed Forces 1997 -2017
(Optimization for Minimal State: Case Study of Bureaucracy Ratio in Czech Armed Forces 1997 -2017)
- Author(s):Vojtěch Müllner
- Language:Czech
- Subject(s):Military history, Security and defense, Military policy, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Present Times (2010 - today)
- Page Range:157-164
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:external safety; efficiency; transformation; army; utilization;
- Summary/Abstract:The limited possibilities to compare the inputs with the outputs build a barrier for the efficiency assessment in some segments of the public sector. The sphere of external safety undoubtedly ranks among those segments of the public sector. The alternative way of assessment can be formed by the analysis of alternative aggregates. The efficiency of the economic management of public funds is, among others, determined by the personnel structure optimization which can be one of the alternative indicators. Optimizing of personnel structure was one of the transformation goals of Czech Armed Forces. By use of personnel optimization indicator which is based on the ratio between soldiers and civil employees was possible to track the dynamic of transformation as well as the transformation goal fulfilment. The rate of personal optimization ratio drop in time of transformation, which had been caused by the change of the system and was replaced by the increase in the utilization of the apparatus in the following years. Since 2009, the proportion of the supportive bureaucratic apparatus has been exceeding the values from the late 1990s and it still shows increasing tendencies. Due to this result we can evaluate the fulfilment of one several pre-transformation goals.
Consistency of Czech Foreign Policy and Export Tendencies towards States with Ongoing Conflict – Case Study Comparison
Consistency of Czech Foreign Policy and Export Tendencies towards States with Ongoing Conflict – Case Study Comparison
(Consistency of Czech Foreign Policy and Export Tendencies towards States with Ongoing Conflict – Case Study Comparison)
- Author(s):Tadeáš PALA
- Language:English
- Subject(s):International relations/trade, Military policy, Political behavior, Peace and Conflict Studies
- Page Range:165-172
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:the Czech export tendencies; foreign policy; Ukraine; Syria; an armed conflict;
- Summary/Abstract:In democratic countries, the relationships between the procedures in both foreign policy and economic exchange should resonate with each other. The opportunity to analyze this hypothesis is used in the case of the Czech Republic’s export to two countries. Although both of them find themselves in an armed conflict, the premise of the Czech Republic’s political approach towards each of them is extremely different. Ukraine is considered the state, which is supported by both the Czech Republic and the European Union, whereas the Al-Assad regime in Syria is often politically condemned and political sanctions are imposed on it. The analysis of the data carried out by The Czech Statistical Office on the statistical value of export confirms the following essential premise: the worsened political relationships have a strong impact on the reduction of exports. This trend is less visible in the case of Ukraine, which is politically supported. In the case of both countries, the factor expressing the development of the internal situation is visible. In the case of Syria, a certain minimum value of cooperative willingness has been identified which is not affected by political proclamations, but rather by an actual possibility to physically export.
Does Czech Republic Suffer from Baumol´s Cost Disease?
Does Czech Republic Suffer from Baumol´s Cost Disease?
(Does Czech Republic Suffer from Baumol´s Cost Disease?)
- Author(s):Irena PALIČKOVÁ
- Language:English
- Subject(s):National Economy, Labor relations, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Present Times (2010 - today), Public Finances
- Page Range:173-180
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:Baumol´s cost disease; gross value added; productivity of labor; public expenditure; wage;
- Summary/Abstract:This paper deals with Baumol´s cost disease theory. This theory is usually used to explain the different dynamics of some sectors of the economy, particularly public sector and to explain the growing share of the public sector in total resources. The aim of the paper is to verify the validity of Baumol´s theory on data from the Czech economy using the time series from 1995 – 2017. It was found that the Czech economy shows some symptoms of Baumol´s cost disease. These include, in particular, the growing share of the tertiary sector in total gross value added and employment, declining trend in labor productivity in the tertiary sector, declining expenditure on goods and rising spending on services spent by households. It was also confirmed that wage growth in the tertiary sector is determined by wage growth in the secondary sector, which is in line with Baumol´s theory. Although the share of the public sector in total resources in the Czech Republic is increasing, the share of public expenditure in GDP has a decreasing trend. This may be due, inter alia, to the faster growth rate of GDP recently.
A Question of State Aid for Sectoral Development in the EU
A Question of State Aid for Sectoral Development in the EU
(A Question of State Aid for Sectoral Development in the EU)
- Author(s):Piotr Podsiadło
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Economic history, Economic development, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Present Times (2010 - today), EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment
- Page Range:181-189
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:economic growth; enterprises; the European Union; sectoral development; State aid;
- Summary/Abstract:The article presents the conditions of admissibility of State aid in the European Union, taking into account the rules applicable to the sectoral aid for enterprises. Pursuant to Article 107 par. 3 (c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), State aid may be compatible with the internal market in so far as it is intended to facilitate the development of certain economic activities. Thus, aid that is determined according to sectoral criteria may be permissible where this leads to the development of that sector. While many aid schemes are sectoral in nature, the European Commission has not sought to develop a sectoral approach in the development of its State aid policy. In general, the main state aid policy instruments governing horizontal aid, such as the guidelines on regional State aid or the guidelines on environmental protection, draw no distinction between different sectors, other than to restrict their application in certain circumstances. Nevertheless, certain sectors have been subjected to different treatment under the State aid rules. In particular, sectors that suffered from over-capacity, such as motor vehicles, synthetic fibres and textiles were subject to individual treatment by the Commission. The article offers an analysis of State aid granted by EU Member States is carried out under the provisions of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union and the rules of State aid admissibility on the basis of the implementing sectoral regulations. The analysis made it possible to verify the influence of State aid on economic growth in EU Member States, which provided State aid for sectoral development in the years 2000-2017. The analysis was based on a linear regression model. The response variable (dependent variable Y) is the size of the GDP, while the explanatory variable (independent variable X) is the expenditure on State aid for sectoral development.
Costs and Benefits of the Dual Vocational Training System and its Use in the Czech Republic
Costs and Benefits of the Dual Vocational Training System and its Use in the Czech Republic
(Costs and Benefits of the Dual Vocational Training System and its Use in the Czech Republic)
- Author(s):Romana PROVAZNÍKOVÁ, Denisa Chlebounová
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Accounting - Business Administration, Human Resources in Economy, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:190-197
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:dual vocational training system; apprenticeship; costs; benefits; training company;
- Summary/Abstract:Apprenticeship in the Czech Republic suffers from poor quality, low motivation of pupils to complete successfully this type of education, and high unemployment rate of graduates. Dual vocational training system seems to be a possible solution to these problems. This system is increasingly seen as an important educational track that provides youth with the skills necessary for a smooth transition into the labor market. However, the practical part of the dual system provided by companies brings the cost for companies that hire apprentices. Because apprentices become part of a company’s workforce, they also generate a benefit from working productively. The aim of this paper is to analyze costs and benefits of the dual system and to estimate the net costs of training hypothetical company in the Pardubice Region. Based on the resulting net costs of this hypothetical company, company's investment in apprenticeships should start returning in the second year, and the benefits should outweigh the costs in the third and fourth years, too. Further, by correlation and regression analysis, we found that there is a statistically significant influence of length of practice in the company on youth unemployment rate and completion rate of upper secondary school pupils. The importance of time spent in training company has been confirmed.
Talent Management in Public Healthcare
Talent Management in Public Healthcare
(Talent Management in Public Healthcare)
- Author(s):Wioletta ROBAKIEWICZ
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Health and medicine and law, Human Resources in Economy
- Page Range:198-205
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:talent management; public healthcare; hospitals;
- Summary/Abstract:Talent management has gained more and more attention in recent years; however, current research focuses mainly on developing concepts, constructions and definitions. Despite numerous studies, talent management has not been the subject of extensive research in reference to different types of organizations. In healthcare organizations, the demand for highly qualified employees, who can be considered as talents, is emphasized. Employees with exceptional abilities are a valuable, rare and sought after resource. Until now, studies on talent management in healthcare organizations are rare, and the need for such research is self-evident. Difficult economic conditions and strong employment trends are a serious challenge for talent management in healthcare organizations. Specialists in the field of talent management in healthcare have to constantly pursue three strategic goals: cost reduction, improvement of patient satisfaction and improvement of patient safety. The purpose of this article is to assess the current state of talent management in healthcare organizations and the steps that can be taken to move closer to the high impact talent management function. The methodology was based on the analysis of the literature on the subject concerning public healthcare organizations in the world and own research. Effective talent management can help health care organizations save time, money and reduce inefficiencies.
Use of Cost Effectiveness Analysis in Health Care. Towards Efficiency in Health care?
Use of Cost Effectiveness Analysis in Health Care. Towards Efficiency in Health care?
(Use of Cost Effectiveness Analysis in Health Care. Towards Efficiency in Health care?)
- Author(s):Jana Rozmarinová
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Health and medicine and law, Public Finances, Accounting - Business Administration
- Page Range:206-212
- No. of Pages:7
- Keywords:Cost-effectiveness analysis; economic evaluations;
- Summary/Abstract:Cost-effectiveness (CEA) analysis is one of the measures how to inform decision-makers on the allocation of public resources. Though it was used when considering allocating resources in the public programs, it was later implemented in health care economics, and it has become a basic economic analysis when implementing economic analysis in the health care sector. The role and impact of CEA have its importance and is dealt with in the context of Healthcare resources. Our study aims at an examination of using the Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in health care. As a methodology, the literature review is used. The objective of our study is to overview the knowledge about CEA in health care, its suitability for the health care intervention evaluation and to find arguments, which contribute to the debate on cost-effectiveness (CE) thresholds. Our results show that the ICER should not be the single criterion for decision-making.
Comparison of Inequalities in Incomes in the European Union
Comparison of Inequalities in Incomes in the European Union
(Comparison of Inequalities in Incomes in the European Union)
- Author(s):Martin Sobotka, Lucie SOBOTKOVÁ
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Labor relations, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:213-220
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:inequality; redistribution of income; evaluation methods; indicators of income inequality;
- Summary/Abstract:The article deals with the analysis of income inequalities in the population of the EU Member States. However, this basic view is related to the methodological aspect for assessing the level of income inequality in these countries. The most general approaches and indicators are used for analysis (their relevance for analysis is not called into question). However, the article rather focuses on their appropriate grasp. For a more comprehensive analysis, the article used an analogy with a similar approach, which is used for assessing so-called convergence between the surveyed countries. The original concept of economic convergence is often extended to other areas. Therefore, it has been proposed to extend the standardization of the ranking of countries according to their inequality. The aim of this approach is to make easier the search for examples the good practices that EU Member States have already applied over the years to reduce the level of income inequality.
Non-take-up Phenomenon in Conditions of the Czech Republic
Non-take-up Phenomenon in Conditions of the Czech Republic
(Non-take-up Phenomenon in Conditions of the Czech Republic)
- Author(s):Iveta ŠTARHOVÁ, Jana Godarová
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Government/Political systems, Welfare systems, Politics and society
- Page Range:221-227
- No. of Pages:7
- Keywords:non-take up rate; Czech Republic; microsimulation modeling; failure of social policy; social benefits;
- Summary/Abstract:The concept of a social state and its size differs from country to country and is influenced by characteristics such as its history, degree of solidarity and the mentality of its citizens which is manifested in their desires, etc. The main question remains of how extensive the social security system of the Czech Republic can afford to be under the condition that the state budget is balanced. In addition to the budget constraints placed on the system, some states are also struggling with a non-take-up phenomenon in the situation where an individual or household is entitled to assistance or social benefit under the legislation in force. In the Czech Republic, insufficient attention is paid to this problem, in spite of the fact that a high non-take-up rate can be a warning about problems in setting up or targeting the system. To identify the gravity of the problem, the authors employ micro-simulation modeling using data from the Czech EU-SILC survey from 2017. The paper is primarily focused on two specific types of benefits – the benefit package for senior citizens and the benefit package aimed at families with children. A part of the final discussion of the results will encompass methodological and data constraints and the risk groups threatened by the non-take-up phenomenon.
Innovation Activities of Public Organizations in the Czech Republic between 2008 and 2014
Innovation Activities of Public Organizations in the Czech Republic between 2008 and 2014
(Innovation Activities of Public Organizations in the Czech Republic between 2008 and 2014)
- Author(s):Marek Vokoun
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Management and complex organizations, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Present Times (2010 - today)
- Page Range:228-236
- No. of Pages:9
- Keywords:research; development; public sector; differences; innovation process; efficiency;
- Summary/Abstract:The paper analyses innovation activities of public sector organizations between 2008 and 2014. This paper estimates the innovation process using three steps. In the first step, the probability to innovate is estimated. In the second step, the log of R&D expenditures per one employee is estimated. In the third step, innovation output is analyzed. Results suggest that size depends positively on the decision to innovate like in the case of private companies. The further market orientation contributes to the higher probability to innovate but not in the case of the public sector. Also, the probability to innovate in the public sector does not depend on the technology level, but it does in case of the knowledge level of the industry. The results, for the second step, suggest that the R&D expenditures do not negatively depend on the company size like in the case of private companies. The results, for the third step, suggest that the sales from innovating goods and services do not depend on the company size and the input/output ration is not statistically significant. The innovation behavior of enterprises in the public sector differs substantially.
Public Funding of Business R&D Activities in the Czech Manufacturing Sector 2010 – 2014
Public Funding of Business R&D Activities in the Czech Manufacturing Sector 2010 – 2014
(Public Funding of Business R&D Activities in the Czech Manufacturing Sector 2010 – 2014)
- Author(s):Marek Vokoun, František Stellner
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Business Economy / Management, Economic history, Electoral systems, Present Times (2010 - today), Public Finances
- Page Range:237-244
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:enterprises; innovation;public support; structural funds;
- Summary/Abstract:The analysis aims at the Czech manufacturing sector and innovation activities between 2010 and 2014. A panel of three Community Innovation Surveys is analyzed. This paper evaluates public funding of business R&D. The analyzed sample consists of 9316 observations of which 4313 are about R&D spenders, and 1942 are about new-to-the-market innovators. This paper estimates the model based on three stages of the innovation business process. The probability to innovate (full sample), the R&D expenditures per one employee and sales from innovated goods and services per one employee (new-to-the-market innovation sample) are analyzed. Central government funding and EU Programmes funding contributed to the innovation intensity (R&D expenditures). In the case of the innovation output, the additional contribution of public support was measured. Local and central government programmes, EU programmes, and also the variable describing support from the Framework/Horizon programmes were statistically insignificant. Public funding led to some extent to a crowding-effect of private sources in the manufacturing sector among new-to-the-market innovators.
Paradigm Reform for the Czech Family Benefits and Credits
Paradigm Reform for the Czech Family Benefits and Credits
(Paradigm Reform for the Czech Family Benefits and Credits)
- Author(s):Jaroslav Vostatek
- Language:English
- Subject(s):Government/Political systems, Welfare systems, Family and social welfare, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting, Socio-Economic Research
- Page Range:245-252
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:child benefit ; child tax credit; parental benefit ; welfare regime ; full-day preschool;
- Summary/Abstract:While many authors focus on the submission of partial improvements of the Czech family policy, insufficient attention has been devoted to the family policy system as a whole. In the Czech political scene, there is an increasing tendency towards simple political marketing. However, social policy theory should focus on analysing family policy, particularly via the application of (liberal, Christian-democratic, socialdemocratic and neoliberal) welfare regimes. The optimal approach for individual countries is to focus on one of these models, thus allowing for the reaping of the various synergy benefits of the application of one coherent model. From this point of view, the Czech socio-economic system is based on somewhat unstable foundations, in comparison e.g. to Germany or Sweden. The paper focuses on Czech family benefits and credits and on their restructuring via the application of OECD and EU recommendations.
Splitting of Environmental Taxes Revenues in the EU
Splitting of Environmental Taxes Revenues in the EU
(Splitting of Environmental Taxes Revenues in the EU)
- Author(s):Jarmila Zimmermannová, Jolana Skaličková
- Language:Czech
- Subject(s):Energy and Environmental Studies, Economic policy, Environmental and Energy policy, EU-Accession / EU-DEvelopment, Fiscal Politics / Budgeting, Transport / Logistics
- Page Range:253-260
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:tax revenues; cluster analysis; energy taxation; transport taxation; EU ETS;
- Summary/Abstract:Currently, EU member states use different kinds of economic instruments of environmental protection. Besides their environmental impact, the main reason for economic instruments implementation is their fiscal impact, precisely revenues of public budgets. The main goal of this paper is to find similarities in EU-28, to find the groups of countries with the same fiscal impact of economic instruments on public budget revenues. The method of cluster analysis is used, based on EUROSTAT and EEX data sets for the year 2016. Three categories of economic instruments’ revenues (per capita) are selected as a base for cluster analysis, with available data for all EU-28 countries – energy taxes without EU ETS, EU ETS and transport taxes. We can distinguish six clusters in total, precisely group A characteristic by low tax revenues and low EU ETS revenues, group B with high tax revenues and low EU ETS revenues, group C with low tax revenues and high EU ETS revenues, group D represented by middle tax revenues and middle EU ETS revenues, group E and group F, both represented by one country with extremely high tax revenues. Generally, countries of Central and Eastern Europe are not grouped only in one group, they have all low tax revenues, but there are differences in EU ETS revenues. Focusing on northern countries of EU, they are characteristic by rather higher or high tax revenues, but they are also split into different clusters.