Showing papers by "Michal Plaček published in 2015"

Benchmarking in Czech Higher Education

Abstract: The first part of this article surveys the current experience with the use of benchmarking at Czech universities specializing in economics and management. The results indicate that collaborative benchmarking is not used on this level today, but most actors show some interest in its introduction. The expression of the need for it and the importance of benchmarking as a very suitable performance-management tool in less developed countries are the impetus for the second part of our article. Based on an analysis of the current situation and existing needs in the Czech Republic, as well as on a comparison with international experience, recommendations for public policy are made, which lie in the design of a model of a collaborative benchmarking for Czech economics and management in higher-education programs. Because the fully complex model cannot be implemented immediately – which is also confirmed by structured interviews with academics who have practical experience with benchmarking –, the final model is designed as a multi-stage model. This approach helps eliminate major barriers to the implementation of benchmarking.

Benchmarking in Czech higher education: the case of schools of economics

Abstract: This article describes the use of benchmarking in universities in the Czech Republic and academics’ experiences with it It is based on research conducted among academics from economics schools in Czech public and private universities The results identified several issues regarding the utilisation and understanding of benchmarking in the Czech educational environment The survey results have also been compared with existing theories regarding the use of benchmarking in higher education as well as with the research results of other authors Recommendations for public policy are based on an econometric analysis of global benchmarking initiatives

The Use of FMEA for the Analysis of Corruption: A Case Study from Bulgaria☆

Abstract: The article is based on the analysis of the microeconomic foundations of corruption (especially principal –agent theory) and is dedicated to the use of FMEA for the risk analysis of corruption in public administration with a focus on cities. The study proposes how to evaluate corruption risks based on modifications to the standard methods of FMEA. The proposed procedure is verified on the case of a municipal procurement in Bulgaria. Unlike previous researches dedicated to this topic, which were focused more on descriptive and qualitative evaluation of corruption, we show that it is possible to quantify the risk of corruption in the public sector. But we still have to take into account the limitations of this methods.

Political Business Cycle in Local Government. Case Study of Czech Municipalities

Abstract: The politicians use some economic instruments in order to influence and get the most potential voters in upcoming elections. Specifically, politicians at local level use mainly public expenditure, especially public investment and expenditure on various projects that are so apparent that they may influence voters in their electoral decision-making. The aim of the paper is to examine whether changes in public expenditure of Czech municipalities, specifically in expenditure on non-investment transfers and on public investments, are affected by electoral cycle. The study analyses expenditure of all Czech municipalities over the period 2003-2013 and uses correlation analysis. Conclusions show that analyzed expenditure is influenced by the political business cycle.

The Utilization of System Dynamics in the Environment: an Example of Waste Management from the City of Znojmo

Abstract: This article deals with applying modern methods of management, particularly benchmarking and system dynamics, to the area of waste management for the city Znojmo. Within the analysis, we focus on the following specific aims: (1) carry out an analysis of waste management utilizing benchmarking, (2) analyze the produced amount of biodegradable waste in Znojmo, (3) describe particular sub-models in relation to biodegradable waste and establish a system dynamic model for dealing with biodegradable waste, which is based on following sub-models. We utilized the following methods: an analysis of resources, benchmarking, structured interviews with experts, objectification of the analysis, and system dynamics modeling of the process. The results are in addition to the analyzed data and applied benchmarking , in particular the diagram of causal loops, which can serve as a tool for a dynamic model and finally help to alert the responsible managers to the basic causalities and links in extremely complex systems such as waste management.

Comparative Analysis of Selected Factors Affecting Heating Costs of Schools in Selected Balkan Countries

Abstract: The paper aims to carry out a comparative analysis of heating of school facilities under the administration of municipalities in Macedonia, Moldova and Kosovo and to test the factors that affect the heating costs of school facilities. For a definition of the theoretical fundament parts of the theory of fiscal federalism are used. Subsequently five hypotheses are put forward that are verified using the method of benchmarking. The theoretical conclusions and recommendations may be used for a more effective implementation of public policies within the surveyed countries.

The use of FMEA for the analysis of corruption: A case studyfrom Bulgaria

Abstract: Abstract The article is based on the analysis of the microeconomic foundations of corruption (especially principal –agent theory) and is dedicated to the use of FMEA for the risk analysis of corruption in public administration with a focus on cities. The study proposes how to evaluate corruption risks based on modifications to the standard methods of FMEA. The proposed procedure is verified on the case of a municipal procurement in Bulgaria. Unlike previous researches dedicated to this topic, which were focused more on descriptive and qualitative evaluation of corruption, we show that it is possible to quantify the risk of corruption in the public sector. But we still have to take into account the limitations of this methods.

The Impact of the Choice of Evaluation Criteria and the Type of Tender on the Awarding Public Contracts (in the Case of Construction Contracts at the Local Level in the Czech Republic)

Abstract: Public procurement may be examined from different perspectives. Using the Czech Republic as an example, this study is devoted to examining the impact of decisions made by the contracting authority regarding a public tender on the tender process itself and on the outcomes of the tender. The contracting authority addresses a number of decision-making issues regarding public procurements. For example, it needs to decide between two types of criteria (choosing between a single-criterion evaluation or rather opting for several evaluation criteria). At the same time, the authority is free to choose among different types of award procedures while adhering to certain restrictions imposed by the Act on Public Contracts. Using a sample of 1,027 construction work contracts awarded in the Czech Republic, the study examines, in more detail, the impacts of individual choices made by the contracting authority (namely the type of evaluation criteria chosen and the type of procedure for awarding contracts) on the estimated and final price of public contracts. Recommendations on how to streamline the process of public procurement can be drawn from conclusions from the empirical analysis.

Benchmarking as a substitute for the market mechanism: empirical evidence for the czech republic

Abstract: Benchmarking is most often referred to as a tool for the improvement of processes and performance of organizations. Therefore, it was also in the framework of reforms in the spirit of New Public Management which was implemented in the public sector. Regarding the theory of benchmarking, many authors have pointed out that in addition to the actual improvement of processes, benchmarking can replace the function of the market mechanism in the allocation of public funds among organizations that provide public goods and services, which often operate in a monopolistic environment. Empirically, this has been observed in so-called “pure” NPM countries like the UK, USA, and New Zealand. The aim of this article is to describe the use of benchmarking in the public sector, focusing specifically on the case of municipalities in the Czech Republic, where as a result of the initial conditions, the phenomenon of “voting by feet” does not work and the effect of competition is severely restricted. Based on the research are then discussed. Possible recommendations for public policy, based on the research, will also be discussed. In analyzing the problems the following methods were employed: interview, comparison and a literature review.

Reasons for the Infectiveness of the Czech State Bureaucracy: Myths and Reality

Abstract: When evaluating the level of bureaucracy and efficiency of the government of the Czech Republic, both are seen to lag behind more developed Western countries. Causes of this condition are seen by many as being the advanced age of officials, their lack of education and the profound influence of politicians on the performance of the bureaucracy. The analysis is based on our own research of the ministerial staff as conducted in 2013 (N = 1,351). All 14 ministries of the Czech Republic were invited to participate. No similar empirical analysis of the Czech Republic's ministerial staff had yet been undertaken. This is also one of the epistemological reasons why myths prevail among the general public about staff of ministries. The analysis shows that ministerial officials are, in fact, a predominately university-educated, and the vast majority of them are not under political pressure. The overall median age of employees in all ministries is 42 years old.