Managing Change: Transition from the Traditional Bureaucratic Practices to E-Government

Author(s): Leke Abraham Oluwalogbon,Adebayo Adedeji / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2018

In line with international best practice and public demand for a more efficient and responsive public service, Nigeria – like many other countries – gradually transitioned from the traditional bureaucratic practices to the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) - widely known as Electronic – government (E-government). This system of governance demonstrates high level of effectiveness and efficiency in public service dispensation and the general conduct of government businesses in addition to promoting transparency and accountability in government. The adoption of egovernment in Nigeria’s public service was hinged on certain intended benefits. However, these benefits oftentimes do not occur. A large body of knowledge on the adoption of ICTs in Nigeria’s public service exists, spanning from its prospects, to its implementation and challenges. However, the discourse has inadvertently neglected an important aspect which is the transition process. The transition from traditional bureaucratic practices to e- government, though desirable, can lead to many unintended outcomes if the “people side”, that is the human component of the public service are not taken into consideration in the transition process. The proper implementation of a transitional programme is therefore of utmost importance, if the intended outcomes of technology adoption are to be fully realized. This paper examines the implementation of e- government in Nigeria with a view on how to involve the public servants and the citizenry in general. The methodology adopted for this paper is qualitative as data from secondary sources were subject to content analysis.

Rola administracji publicznej w procesie europeizacji na przykładzie Polski i Niemiec

Author(s): Leszek Kwieciński / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 01/2020

The main objective of this article is to present the role of public administration and the factors that shape in the face of challenges posed by the process of Europeanization. The specific goal, however, is the analysis of factors conditioning the fulfilment of the function of public administration in the process of Europeanization in Poland and Germany. The research problem of this article is the analysis of differences in the functioning of public administration in both countries. This sector plays a key role in the effective participation of a country in the processes of Europeanization, as well as determines its internal efficiency. The article uses research methods specific for social sciences, in particular political sciences. The first of the methods used is comparative studies, which show similarities and differences in the functioning of public administration of both countries in the processes of Europeanization. Using the medium-range system method, attempts were made to define the place of public administration as an element of the functional subsystem of the European policy of a country, and also showed the evolution of changes taking place in this sector. In turn, neo-institutionalism of rational choice and historical neo-institutionalism made it possible to indicate the factors determining the administrative efficiency of the state in the process of Europeanization. In the study quantitative techniques were mainly used, i.e. the analysis of statistical data from institutions such as the European Commission – E-government Benchmark, Bertelsmann Foundation - Sustainable Governance Indicators, World Bank - Worldwide Governance Indicators, Gallup World Poll. A critical analysis of the literature was also carried out regarding the evolution and role of public administration in the process of Europeanization. The main research hypothesis is contained in the statement that the efficiency of public administration as an instrument of European state policy is conditioned by institutional and social factors, which require a longer time perspective and properly used legal and institutional instruments for the emergence of positive effects.

Kryteria morfologiczne w procedurze administracyjnej nadawania statusu miasta

Author(s): Robert Szmytkie / Language(s): Polish Issue: 12/2018

In the years 1980—2018, the number of towns and cities in Poland increased from 803 to 930. However, the problem of the administrative procedure is the lack of clearly defined criteria of urbanity and the lack of measurable indicators that could be used to verify the settlements applying for the status of a city. This applies, in particular, to the measures identifying the character of the morphology of settlements. The main objective of this research is to propose a set of indicators based on generally available statistical data describing the morphology of settlements, which could be used in the administrative procedure of granting the city status. The proposed indicators were used to analyse the morphology of cities in Poland in order to verifying their suitability to describe quantified degree of urbanity. The focus was on cites, which received city status in the years 2000—2014, because these cities should formally meet the criteria adopted in the administrative procedure. Data for cities (for 2014) were taken from Local Data Bank of Statistics Poland. Analyses have shown that in the case of new cities proposed morphological indexes assume values indicating low or very low level of their urbanization.

Particularities of Quality System Management in Local Public Administration

Author(s): Maria-Cristina Bălăneasa / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

This paper aims to identify and describe the quality management system formulated by local government authorities, ISO international standards applicable in the field of public services and local government as well as documents that can be developed to achieve the quality of services provided to citizens. We consider it useful to present these aspects related to quality precisely in order to understand how the representatives of the local and central public administration authorities can achieve the stated goal of the state - that of building a transparent and citizen-oriented public administration.

Micro-Research on Identifying the Population’s Perception on the Quality and the Performance of the Local Public Police in the Municipality of Suceava

Author(s): Irina Bilouseac,Diana Stredie / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

The interest shown in dealing with this topic in this article lies, first of all, in the desire to identify and study the public perception on the quality and performance of the local police service in Suceava, while seeking to determine and analyze the main causes generating criticism of police personnel. For the proper functioning of the local police service, we consider it necessary to examine the public opinion on the implications it has in the optimal functioning of the local community, the degree of satisfaction of citizens in the delivery of the local police service being an essential indicator that must be measured.The local community, as a beneficiary of public services, has a vital role in monitoring, evaluating and adjusting the reforms aimed at the organization and functioning of the local police, as a public service. The involvement of citizens, the recognition, at the same time as the confirmation of the results by them, as well as the personal perceptions on the actions and decisions adopted at local level, are defining elements for ensuring a quality and efficient local police service.

Economic and Environmental Implications Determined by the Implementation of the New Principles and Norms Regard in Ggreen Public Procurement (GPP)

Author(s): Ionel Bostan,Teodora Roman,Adriana Manolica / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

Our study highlights the potential benefits, as well as the main obstacles to the efficient application of green public procurement (GPP).In this regard, we address the main aspects of this issue, with reference to what exists in the EU and Romania. On the whole, the progress is still modest in this direction. In the same context, we treat the legal possibility of using environmental management systems to integrate environmental protection requirements into the public agenda. Given the advantages of GPP, as well as their scale at national and European level, we believe that we have sufficiently argued the need to urgently introduce requirements for environmental sustainability into the GPP system.

Results of Decision Management for Public Projects at the Level of the Ibănești Commune in Botoșani County, Romania

Author(s): Petronela Scutariu,Andreea-Bianca Zaharii / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2020

The content of this article is dedicated to the analysis of details in the documentation for public projects in order to highlight, based on the situation existing in the administrative-territorial unit taken into consideration, of practical results of local development of the decision management, with particularization at the level of Ibanești commune in Botosani county, Romania. The research carried out shows that, in recognition of the efforts made by the decision-making administrative authorities for local development, considering that the inhabitants have rehabilitated local roads, street lighting, drinking water supply, sanitation services, the commune received the status of "European locality". From the study we see that by 2020 various public projects have been initiated, executed and finalized, the analysis of only three of them showing the strategic directions proposed by the decision-making authorities of the local public management for the modernization of the locality by paving the public road, modernizing the school, kindergarten thermal rehabilitation.

LICE ZA ZAŠTITU PODATAKA U JAVNOJ UPRAVI

Author(s): Andrej Diligenski / Language(s): Serbian Issue: 2/2020

Ubrzani tehnološki razvoj i obrada velikih količina podataka o ličnosti doveli su do potrebe kontrole radnji obrada podataka o ličnosti ne samo od strane nadzornih organa za zaštitu podataka već i u okviru samih organizacija u javnoj upravi. Imenovanje lica za zaštitu podataka u javnoj upravi postala je obaveza u EU za sve države članice donošenjem Opšte uredbe o zaštiti podataka 25.maja 2018. godine. Srbija je u procesu pridruživanja EU preuzela standarde Opšte uredbe o zaštiti podataka u Zakonu o zaštiti podataka o ličnosti iz 2018. godine. Na taj način je i u Srbiji imenovanje lica za zaštitu podataka u javnoj upravi postalo obavezno. Lice za zaštitu podataka ima pre svega savetodavnu i nadzornu ulogu u organizacijama, a kao nova uloga se pojavljuje i procena rizika u odnosu na zaštitu podataka o ličnosti.

Do we learn how to learn? Evolution of functions of evaluation systems – the case of Polish regional administration

Author(s): Tomasz Kupiec / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 81/2020

The article examines the evolution of functions of evaluation systems. It is based on the comparison of evaluation studies conducted in eight evaluation systems in the Polish regional administration in two periods: 2007–13 and 2014–20. The findings are to some extent contradictory to the expectations formed on the basis of the existing literature of the subject. Although the analysed systems were established in response to external pressures, they support accountability as well as learning. These systems do not focus on procedural issues only, and generation of strategic knowledge increases over time. Numerous regulations imposed on the analysed systems suggest, however, that the use of evaluation in the analysed systems may be symbolic in nature.

CZYNNIKI DETERMINUJĄCE JAKOŚĆ ADMINISTRACJI PUBLICZNEJ W NAUCE ADMINISTRACJI

Author(s): Sebastian Bentkowski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 26/2019

The diversified area of the administration’s functioning determines its shape at the same time, because due to the influence of a number of factors, the objectives and tasks of the administration are modified, political goals, forms and methods of operation, organizational structures, legal regulation scope and clerical ethics. The basic functions of public administration include satisfying the collective and individual needs of citizens. The issue of achieving appropriate quality of public administration activities both in its external and internal sphere is of particular importance. It is necessary to analyze and classify factors affecting the shape and functioning of the administration to determine the principles and methods for obtaining the quality of public administration.

PRAKSEOLOGICZNE UWARUNKOWANIA JAKOŚCI ADMINISTRACJI PUBLICZNEJ

Author(s): Sebastian Bentkowski,Izabela Bentkowska-Furman / Language(s): Polish Issue: 28/2020

The concepts of quality and efficiency are closely related. Quality is an indispensable element of achieving effectiveness, it determines the achievement of real efficiency and is one of the criteria according to which all activities within the organization are assessed. It should also be stated that both the concept of efficiency and its individual categories (effectiveness, advantage, economy) can be used to determine the quality standards of public administration. Acquiring quality through praxeological guidelines, however, requires taking appropriate actions within the whole administration system. At the same time, these activities should be formalized by means of legal norms, adequate to the intended results. Under this system, the main elements determining the quality of administration can be distinguished, which include the objectives and structures of the administration.

A New Check System of Cost Estimation of Project Designs in Japan’s Local Governments

Author(s): Nobuo Nishi,Masaru Minagawa / Language(s): English Issue: 3/2020

In Japan, “Pointing and Calling” is a known safety management method that is used to prevent mistakes and ensure safety. This study constructed a new check system, “Verification Meeting/ Simple Verification Meeting”, that is based on the Pointing and Calling system and aims to prevent incorrect cost estimations for projects of public works. It also contributes to improved staff morale and professional development. The new check system has five novel items compared with conventional verification methods of cost estimation. The proposed system was put into actual use in Japan, during which time necessary improvements were made. As a result, no mistakes in cost estimation were noted for about three years at the Port and Harbor Bureau of a city in Japan, where the first author of this article worked. The system was further refined and could be adapted for use by all local governments, including those with few staff members.

Controlul judiciar asupra administraţiei publice. Contenciosul administrativ

Author(s): Tudor Grigoraș / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 1/2013

In their activity of implementing the legal norms, of solving various problems for the functioning of public services, administrative bodies may sometimes infringe upon the citizens' individual rights. Such infringements however can only be repaired with the assistance of other bodies whose purpose is to analyze and evaluate the documents issued by the administration to see whether the latter has exceeded the legal framework and order restoration of the rights and possibly compensations. It is for this purpose that the institution of administrative disputed matters functions as an instrument by means of which those interested may defend themselves against the administration's abuses. In our country, this special procedure is based both on the Constitution and the Administrative Disputed Matters Act No. 544/2004.

Controlul judiciar asupra administraţiei publice. Contenciosul administrativ (partea a II-a)

Author(s): Tudor Grigoraș / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 2/2013

Administrative matters of law, regulated under Law No. 554/2004, evince a number of characteristic features. This type of control comes after adoption or implementation of the administrative act, while it checks legality of already taken measures, not measures to be taken in the future. At the same time, the judicial control has a subsidiary nature for it is only carried on following an attempt to restore legality, based on a complaint, in the form of gracious appeal or hierarchical appeal. It is a control over legality, not over appropriateness, which means that the court shall reject the petitioner’s lawsuit if it is based on inappropriateness of an administrative act. Also, this form of control is exercised both over administrative certificates of authority and public administration contracts.

Bez żyrandola

Author(s): Anna Mateja / Language(s): Polish Issue: 786/2020

Buna administrare a justiției

Author(s): Ana Cristina Lăbuș / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 1/2010

For justice to offer high quality services to society, adequately managing all the risks related to its administrative dependency, it is necessary that it should be well administered. A good administration of justice can thus be defined as the activity by which the public policies in the field of justice are executed and implemented, through an efficient management of the public institutions this system is made up of. The holders of this right involved with the administration of justice process are: the Ministry of Justice, in its capacity as a specialized body of the central public administration, which provides the elaboration, the coordination and the application of the governing strategy and programme, for justice to function well; the Superior Council of Magistracy, an autonomous administrative body, which manages magistrates’ careers and has the role of guarantor of the independence of justice; the Public Ministry, which has part of the powers to organize and coordinate the activity of the Parquets, while managing their budgets. A sine qua non condition for the accomplishment of an equitable, efficient and high quality justice is the good administration of the legal system, achievable through a coherent coordination of the main actors involved, whose priorities should be access to the legal professions, professional training and specialization of the staff, independence of magistrates, as well as the professional magistrate ethic behaviour. And, last but not least, it is necessary to develop the capacity to mediate between the State’s powers for the legal system to rise to the political, the public and the citizens’ expectations, to provide efficiency, fairness, transparency and social availability of the service in due time and, above all, to provide the responsibility of the makers of justice.

Reforma administrației publice în contextul integrării europene

Author(s): Constantin Sava / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 3/2008

A sustained transformation of the public administration, in consonance with the requirements of the reform process in the field, requires a coherent set of measures to be taken in a well defined period, in the field of the public office, whose purpose should be the creation of a professional body of public servants, one that should be stable and politically unbiased. A combination between the classic administrative hierarchy and modern management involves a modification of the general "architecture" of the system, of the general forms of the labour contract in the public sector, the role and the functions of agencies, a redefinition of the internal systems and decision-making processes, the ways and levels of participation and social inclusion with the decision-making processes, and implementation of good policies and good practices, the target setting systems, etc. The reform measures are meant to increase the quality and effectiveness of public services, as well as introduce a European dimension in consonance with the values of this administrative area.

Protejarea sănătății populației prin reducerea accidentelor rutiere. Elemente ale strategiei în domeniul siguranţei rutiere în perioada 2004 – 2007 pentru autostrăzi și drumuri naționale

Author(s): Alexandru Mircea / Language(s): Romanian Issue: 2/2004

USING SERVQUAL MODEL TO MEASURE CITIZEN SATISFACTION WITH LOCAL TAXES SERVICES QUALITY

Author(s): Laura Mina-Raiu,Viorela NEGREANU / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2020

Public administration services in Romania have serious quality problems, which in order to be properly addressed require a series of investments in quality systems and instruments for improving quality. A good starting point in this respect is the ServQual tool, which measures services quality as a gap between citizens expectations and citizens perceptions, using two alternative questionnaire formats, one for expectations and one for the actual experience with the service. The paper is an exploratory case-study research aimed at measuring citizens’ satisfaction with public administration services using the ServQual instrument, within the Taxes and Fees Department from Roșiorii de Vede municipality, in Romania. Research findings indicate an overall low level of satisfaction among users, in particular related to the empathy and responsiveness dimensions, combined with citizens reluctance in using online services.

A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR IMPROVED MUNICIPAL SERVICE DELIVERY IN URBAN ZIMBABWE

Author(s): Sylvester Marumahoko / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2020

This article reviews efforts to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of urban service delivery in Zimbabwe. It seeks to achieve this by facilitating the utility of the value-based integrated conceptual framework for improved service delivery developed by Bao and others in 2013 and by applying it to urban local government service delivery in Zimbabwe. The conceptual framework has five key components which are (1) contextual setting, (2) core values, (3) structures and processes, (4) leadership and management and (5) service delivery. The use of the conceptual framework offers crucial insights into how the local public administration in Zimbabwe can turnaround declining urban service delivery. The engagement takes place against observations of service delivery inefficiencies in the subnational government and an accumulation over the recent past of gaps, duplications or non-achievement of targets in local urban public service provision. Key findings of the article are the following: (1) the conceptual framework was found to be instrumental in organising municipal institutions to promote greater efficiency and responsiveness in urban service delivery (2) the conceptual framework was found to be suitable as it takes into consideration socio-economic and cultural differences among countries even within the same regional grouping and, (3) its application has the potential to enhance local service delivery in urban Zimbabwe especially now when urban local government is being called upon to manifest resilience and innovativeness in the face of significantly depleted resources; financial, human and material.