Showing papers in "Public Policy and Administration in 2016"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the policy/implementation nexus with an explicit focus on what happens at the street level, rather than taking implementation for granted as a seemingly technical matter, simply prescribed by policy objectives.
Abstract: Implementation occurs as a ‘late’ part in the stages model of the policy process. As such, it is seen as following upon and subordinate to the preceding stages of agenda-setting and policy formation. Hence, implementation is often addressed as ‘the rest’. This view on implementation as a presupposed residual in goal achievement implies little attention to ‘political’ dimensions, like ambiguity and conflict. Therefore, the view can only partially explain the – sometimes disappointing – results of policy processes. Alternatively, approaches to the policy/implementation nexus with an explicit focus on what happens at the street level have a greater explanatory potential. They are not taking implementation for granted as a seemingly technical matter, simply prescribed by policy objectives.
120 citations
TL;DR: In 2010, the narrative policy framework was introduced as a positivist, quantitative, and structuralist approach to the study of policy narratives as discussed by the authors, which deviated from this central tenet of the narrativ...
Abstract: In 2010, the narrative policy framework was introduced as a positivist, quantitative, and structuralist approach to the study of policy narratives. Deviating from this central tenet of the narrativ...
96 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors take an outside-in perspective on recent public sector reforms in Europe and identify three of the most consequential and probable external trends, and then look at how far management reforms are anticipating them.
Abstract: This paper takes an outside-in perspective on recent public sector reforms in Europe. It selects three of the most consequential and probable external trends, and then looks at how far management reforms are anticipating them. The conclusion is that European Union government responses to predictable external trends have been limited and unstrategic. Many official studies of climate change and demographic change have been written, but concrete responses such as resource prioritization and relevant public management reforms do not seem to have been substantial. There is a disconnect between mainstream public management reforms and the biggest external pressures public sectors are now beginning to face. Academic public administration has also been slow to respond to these “megatrends,” but has considerable potential for contributing to their amelioration.
37 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the state and status of policy implementation as a discipline and the factors associated with implementation performance are examined, based on a review of the literature and analysis by researchers.
Abstract: Policy implementation involves translating the goals and objectives of policy into action. Although seen as an integral part of the policy cycle, substantial research has not yet been carried out in this area. This paper examines the state and status of policy implementation as a discipline and the factors associated with implementation performance, based on a review of the literature and analysis by researchers. The assessment in this study confirms the dearth of theoretical development of this subject as a major concern for this discipline and a barrier for perfect execution. It was also found that multiple factors are linked to poor policy performance, such as a lack of coordination, funding, commitment, capabilities among implementers and top-down support. Finally, by critically looking into loopholes associated with performance in policy implementation, five theoretical models were developed for improving performance. These respectively had a rational, organisational, political, bureaucratic and management basis. It is expected that the application of these standards would help to overcome issues, leading to successful policy performance.
36 citations
26 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the relationship between third sector and state sector, the role of volunteers, the changing role of third sector organisations and the theoretical and practical limitations of localism in making sense of these changes.
Abstract: Using interview and documentary empirical evidence from leaders of a local community group that took on the running of a leisure facility after its threatened closure by the local authority, this article examines the relationship between third sector and state sector, the role of volunteers, the changing role of third sector organisations and the theoretical and practical limitations of ‘localism’ in making sense of these changes. It is suggested that localism is to be understood in relation to continuing central influences over policy, that community and voluntary organisations are inextricably bound up with the public sector rather than being a discrete and independent sector in their own right, and that the extant academic literature on networks, agencies and partnerships does not adequately describe these emergent new relationships of public service.
22 citations
TL;DR: Although much has been done to overcome the shortfalls related to the financial structure of private finance initiatives/public–private partnerships, greater attention has to be paid to the adaptability of the infrastructure and to the risk governance of private Finance 2 and non-profit distributing models.
Abstract: Healthcare private finance initiatives/public–private partnerships (PFI/PPPs) have favored the provision of health infrastructures and services, but they have been subjected to major criticisms since the value for money assessment of private finance initiatives/public–private partnerships does not consider uncertainties. Using a systematic literature review and content analysis, we identify the sources of uncertainty (i.e. fragilities) associated with UK healthcare private finance initiatives/public–private partnerships. Fragilities are rooted in their financial structure, inadequate ring-fencing of risks and contractual inflexibility. We then discuss such fragilities in light of the evolution of the private finance initiatives/public–private partnership policy in the UK, thus considering private finance 2 and non-profit distributing models. Although much has been done to overcome the shortfalls related to the financial structure of private finance initiatives/public–private partnerships, greater attentio...
21 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the first stakeholder analysis of the Nigerian oil and gas industry local content development (LCD) policy was conducted to gain a better understanding of the extent of stakeholders' interactions.
Abstract: This paper undertakes the first stakeholder analysis of the Nigerian oil and gas industry local content development (LCD) policy to gain a better understanding of the extent of stakeholders’ interactions and how such interactions align to conditions conducive to local content development. Drawing from policy documents and semi-structured interviews, 15 stakeholder groups are identified, and seven of them categorized as key “players.” A social network analysis then reveals that (i) a significant proportion of relationships between key players are unidirectional; (ii) a marginal role is played by higher education institutions within the network; (iii) it is international oil companies rather than indigenous operators that exhibit “global centrality” within the industry network, with the former stakeholder group pivotally determining industry activities. Our findings provide a valuable first step toward the development of a polycentric framework for the appraisal of the Nigerian local content development policy.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a public policy and administration approach for public policy, which is based on the concept of public policy. But they do not discuss its application in policymaking.
Abstract: This article was published in Public Policy and Administration on 06 August 2015 (online), available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0952076715595676
16 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the politics of performance management in the United Kingdom is analyzed, focusing on the extent to which a highly centralised Westminster majoritarian polity has encouraged the top-down performance management.
Abstract: This article analyses the politics of performance management in the United Kingdom, focusing on the extent to which a highly centralised Westminster majoritarian polity has encouraged the top-down ...
15 citations
TL;DR: The issue of same-sex marriage and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality has received considerable attention from policy scholars as mentioned in this paper, which is unsurprising given the issue is one of the most divisive issues in American society.
Abstract: The issue of same-sex marriage and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality has received considerable attention from policy scholars. This is unsurprising given the issue is one of the defi...
TL;DR: In this article, public procurement can be used as a useful pull mechanism to stimulate private investment and to influence market dynamics, and the authors use public procurement as a pull mechanism for stimulating private investment.
Abstract: Due to the significant amount of financial resources involved, public procurement can be used as a useful pull mechanism to stimulate private investment and to influence market dynamics, entreprene...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the process of endogenous institutional change and explore the role of the High Court of Justice as a catalyst for policy change in the Israeli national service policy.
Abstract: This study explores the process of endogenous institutional change. It utilizes the concepts policy layering and displacement to explain gradual but yet significant and cumulative institutional change that has taken place in civic national service policy in Israel. Layering was an expedient strategy of change given the highly charged politics surrounding national service and the opposition of ultra-orthodox and Israel’s Arab citizens to any form of service. While the government and administrative agencies were the primary agents of change, we will also take note of the important and contentious role of Israel’s High Court of Justice which served as a catalyst to policy change, compelling the government to end policy drift. However, it is important to note that judicial intervention may also derail gradual reform as will be shown in the Israeli case.
TL;DR: The health governance structure of Portugal is reported, a country in which health has become a hotly contested topic due to recent pressures to reduce costs, yet claiming at the central level a whole society and government approach.
Abstract: Increasing attention has been paid to the significant role of governance in health policy-making. The goal is to develop health policies more responsive to local preferences and needs, in coordination with other policies, and adapted to the most suitable spatial scale. Rather than acting as isolated actors, health institutions must look at ways to strengthen collaboration in a cross-sectoral and symbiotic way with other actors. This article reports the health governance structure of Portugal, a country in which health has become a hotly contested topic due to recent pressures to reduce costs, yet claiming at the central level a whole society and government approach. Based on policy-makers' perspectives, this article explores how institutions interact in health policy-making at the national, regional and local levels. Findings suggest that health decision-making processes are still very centralised and focused within the health sector boundaries, symptomatic of a wider cultural problem.
TL;DR: This paper used survey data from Wisconsin school board members to determine the extent of conflict present on Wisconsin school boards and the determinants of different types of conflict on school boards, and found that there is a significant amount of conflict among school board representatives.
Abstract: In this article, we use original survey data from Wisconsin school board members to determine the extent of conflict present on Wisconsin school boards and the determinants of different types of pe...
TL;DR: The findings reveal how the absence of turnover distorts the Participative Democratic Model in relation to diverse factors including: strategic bridging, extraparliamentary politics, cognitive locks and party institutionalisation.
Abstract: A raft of United Nations Treaties, European Union Directives and domestic laws oblige governments in 180 + countries to apply the Participative Democratic Model of mainstreaming equalities to public administration by involving those targeted by equality initiatives at all stages in their design and delivery. Notwithstanding Participative Democratic Model’s deeply political nature, extant work has overlooked how governing party turnover influences civil society organisations’ (CSOs) strategies. Here, this lacuna is addressed using a negative ‘extreme case study’ research design involving qualitative accounts from civil society organisations in Wales, a ‘regional’ European polity characterised by one-party dominance. The findings reveal how the absence of turnover distorts the Participative Democratic Model in relation to diverse factors including: strategic bridging, extraparliamentary politics, cognitive locks and party institutionalisation. Inter alia, the wider contribution of this analysis lies in showing the importance of turnover to effective engagement, the ‘pathologies’ associated with one-party dominance and the need for adaptive civil society strategies tailored to prevailing electoral politics and governing party turnover in liberal democracies.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore what caused the displacement of a local public transport agency in Norway by reintegrating agency tasks in to the public administration and find that powerful veto players that benefit from change, such as new political coalitions and local bus companies, are one driver for change.
Abstract: Organisational arrangements with increased autonomy from politicians have become common in public service provision in Western countries. Agency deficiencies have been related to accountability and lack of trust, and a debate on re-municipalisation or re-integration of public services is emerging. In this article, we explore what caused the displacement of a local public transport agency in Norway by re-integrating agency tasks in to the public administration. We find two points are particularly especially important in explaining the displacement of the agency. First, powerful veto players that benefit from change, such as new political coalitions and local bus companies, are one driver for change. Second, weak administrative capacity and lack of competence in the county administration open opportunities for change agents who oppose to existing rules. The study also reflects the importance of seeing trust in an institutional context when studying public administration.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide critical points of contact that are common for the three Baltic countries and highlight key differences that hinder an objective comparison of the three countries with regard to their tax and customs administration and combating crime.
Abstract: One of the strategic goals of tax and customs authorities in the Baltic countries is to increase their efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources. These countries therefore constantly seek solutions aimed at simplifying administrative procedures, improving and developing service quality and the business environment in general, automating internal work processes and significantly reducing the amount of manual work. The purpose of this publication is to provide critical points of contact that are common for the three Baltic countries and highlight key differences that hinder an objective comparison of the three countries with regard to their tax and customs administration and combating crime. This research aims to offer a model for assessing the effectiveness of tax and customs administrations in the Baltic countries based on factors that influence their efficiency and relative importance.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider the integration of different aspects of organizational performance, which are very different by their nature, are measured by completely different, not comparable indicators, could serve as an example.
Abstract: One of the biggest challenges for performance measurement is integration of different aspects of organizational performance, which are very different by their nature, are measured by completely different, not comparable indicators. Organizational and individual-level performance indicators, although naturally and organically linked, but, nevertheless, are measured in different dimensions, could serve as an example. Performance measurement, in one or another form, is spread across various management disciplines: Strategic management, Quality management, Process improvement, and Performance appraisal as a part of Human resources management. Organizational level indicators prevail in Strategic management systems, both organizational level and individual level performance indicators can be found in Quality management and Process inprovement systems, and individual level performance indicators are dominant in Human resource management. The link between the indicators of these two levels is of particular importance, if they are not properly connected, employees’ motyvation and compensation for work becomes quite formal and does not match overall goals of organization. The difference of the performance measurement in the public and private sectors is determined not only by the different nature of these sectors, but also by different historical traditions. Because of the complexity of the public sector organizations’ mission, private sector organizations’ performance evaluation can be regarded as an isolated case of performance evaluation in public sector organizations . Performance indicators should be clearly distinguished from the factors determining the level of performance, which are no less important, however, are often confused with each other. The first are used to monitor performance, the latter – to improve it. Individual level performance indicators could be more usefull in searching the factors determining performance.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a model of the Lietuvoje analizuoto neovėberizmo modelio aspektai, kuris kartu su naujojo viesojo valdymo principais pradeda įsitvirtinti dabartinėse viesejo sektoriaus struktūrose, kad modernizavimo reformų kontekste vadovo samprata keiciasi pereinant nuo grynai aut
Abstract: Straipsnyje analizuojami reiksmingiausi viesojo sektoriaus institucijų modernizavimo etapai, siekiant konceptualizuoti pokycius, susijusius su viesojo sektoriaus institucijų vadovo ir organizacinės kultūros sampratų transformacija. Pradedant nuo tradicinio viesojo administravimo, analizuojami naujosios viesosios vadybos ir menkai Lietuvoje analizuoto neovėberizmo modelio aspektai, kuris kartu su naujojo viesojo valdymo principais pradeda įsitvirtinti dabartinėse viesojo sektoriaus struktūrose. Straipsnyje atskleidžiama, kad modernizavimo reformų kontekste vadovo samprata keiciasi pereinant nuo grynai autoritarinio vadovo prie antreprenerio-lyderio bei abiejų sių bruožų derinimo tendencijų. Organizacinės kultūros transformuojasi nuo biurokratinių- hierarchinių prie rinkos (inovacinės), abiejų kultūrų derinimo ir galiausiai kolegialių-klaninių kultūrų formavimo etapo.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe changes in migration tendencies of Ukrainians to the EU and Central European societies, particularly after the Revolution of Dignity and the beginning of Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict.
Abstract: The article describes of changes in migration tendencies of Ukrainians to the EU and Central European societies, particularly after the Revolution of Dignity and the beginning of Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict. It highlights the fact that, despite the emergence of the phenomenon of internally displaced persons, the main way in which Ukrainians reach Europe remains labour migration. Among factors that have influenced the movement of citizens have been the migration policy of Ukraine, the EU and Central European countries, which has become more positive rather than a critical attitude to refugees from the Middle East.
TL;DR: In this article, the effectiveness, relevance and sustainability of the implementation of quality management tools in local government units in Poland are analyzed, and the most common tool in this area is ISO 9001.
Abstract: In many countries of Europe and the world, in the past several years, management in the public sector has been radically changed. The experience of the administration of each country shows that organizations in this area have a significant impact on the economies, taking over increasingly more responsibilities in solving many complex socio-economic problems. In order for the task of public entities to be effectively executed and correspond to social expectations, it becomes necessary to implement structures of management tools, in particularly, quality standards. Implementation of practical solutions in the field of quality management results in the establishment of corporate standards, more efficient use of resources and greater citizen satisfaction with the work of public institutions. Quality management systems have become the standard in public administration offices in Poland. The most common tool in this area is ISO 9001. Some offices choose to improve the quality of services with the use of the CAF self-assessment. Many authorities improve their services by utilising project financing from the European Union funds. This paper analyzes the effectiveness, relevance and sustainability of the implementation of quality management tools in local government units in Poland.
TL;DR: This paper applied the Down's model to corruption issues in Canada as a democracy, and Kazakhstan as a soft authoritarian regime, and observed cycle variations depending on the nature of political regimes, and thus holding the regime as an independent variable as applied to the Down’s model.
Abstract: The present research paper attempts to apply the issue attention cycle model of Anthony Downs to corruption issues in the contexts of Canada as a democracy, and Kazakhstan as a soft authoritarian regime. The major contributions to the existing body of knowledge include: 1. replicating the Down’s model to analyze the corruption issue across the two countries; and 2. attempting to observe cycle variations depending on the nature of political regimes, and thus holding the regime as an independent variable as applied to the Down’s model.
TL;DR: It was determined that the regulation of alcohol outlets was much stricter in theperiod of the First Republic of Lithuania than in the period of the Second Republic.
Abstract: In 1928-1931, annual consumption of legal pure alcohol per capita was just 1.17 litres, while in 2014 the alcohol consumption per capita was 12.7 litres. The alcohol outlet density is one of the most significant factors for the indicators of alcohol consumption. The aim of this paper is to compare the characteristics of the regulation of retail alcohol outlets in the First (1918-1940) and Second (1990-2015) Republic of Lithuania. The goals are the following: to evaluate the aspects of alcohol outlet density, expiration dates and issue conditions of seller licences, and the maintenance of public order of seller licence usage as well as assurance of safety in the neighbourhoods, and to determine the period of Seimas (governing parties) ruling during which fundamental changes occurred in the liberalization or prohibition with regards to regulation of alcohol outlets. The paper is based on the method of document analysis. It was determined that the regulation of alcohol outlets was much stricter in the period of the First Republic of Lithuania than in the period of the Second Republic. In the First Republic of Lithuania, the regulation of the density of alcohol outlets was connected to the assurance of public safety and prevention of noise, the community was involved in the regulation of the density of alcohol outlets, the density of alcohol outlets was regulated, the prohibited distances were defined between alcohol outlets and places of worship, cemeteries, healthcare and education establishments or other institutions significant to the public, the issued licences were short-term, for the period of one year. Even though in the period of the ruling of Antanas Smetona in 1934 the alcohol outlet regulation was liberalized, eliminating the influence of residents and municipalities on the issuing of licences, alcohol outlet regulation still remained stricter than in the period of the Second Republic of Lithuania. In 2002, the social-democratic coalition, which had the majority in the government, strongly liberalized the alcohol outlet regulation: it abolished any regulation of alcohol outlet density, eliminated short-term licences and authorised alcohol sales in sanatoriums, kiosks and petrol stations. Only the political group of Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian democrats, which had the majority in the Seimas of 2008-2012, managed to prohibit sales in kiosks and petrol stations, but the density remained unregulated, the licences were still short-term, the licencing was unconnected to public safety and assurance of public order, and the community’s influence was restricted only to expression of opinion on the issuing of new alcohol seller licences in the blocks of flats they reside in. It is recommended to connect alcohol outlet regulation with public safety and assurance of public order, to regulate outlet density, to issue short-term licences, and to empower the residents to participate in the alcohol outlet regulation.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ppaa.15.1.14691
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented data on long-term liabilities in municipalities with extended powers in the South Moravian Region and determined whether these longterm liabilities correspond to the number of subsidized organizations and the rate of transfers to the income in the budget of the municipality.
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to summarise data on long-term liabilities in municipalities with extended powers in the South Moravian Region and to determine whether these long-term liabilities correspond to the number of subsidized organizations and the rate of transfers to the income in the budget of the municipality. It is assumed that long-term liabilities per capita will be higher in municipalities with a larger number of subsidized organisations and that they will be higher in the case of municipalities with a higher rate of transfers to their budget income (i.e. in the case of municipalities that are less financially self-sufficient). Data provided by the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic was used which was processed via statistical methods (descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and cluster analysis). Subject to the calculation of correlation coefficients, only the transfer ratio was usable for the cluster analysis because the value of the correlation coefficient between the long-term liabilities per capita and the number of subsidised organisations showed insignificant dependency. Therefore, we were unable to prove our assumption number one, that long-term liabilities if expressed on a per capita basis would be higher in the case of municipalities which operate a higher number of subsidized organisations. However, the outcomes of the cluster analysis did not confirm the second assumption. All we could declare was that extreme values appeared to have grouped up: municipalities with the highest (or lowest, as the case might have been) values of the long-term liabilities per capita showed the highest (or lowest, as the case might have been) transfer ratio.
TL;DR: Viesosios vertės krurimo procesas, viesojo valdymo teoretikų placiau pradėtas analizuoti XXI a. pradžioje ir tiesiogiai siejamas su viesosiojo valdingymo pokyciais, reformomis, objektyviomis viesonios vertaios priežastimis ir subjektyviais veiksniais formuoj
Abstract: Viesosios vertės kūrimo procesas, viesojo valdymo teoretikų placiau pradėtas analizuoti XXI a. pradžioje ir tiesiogiai siejamas su viesojo valdymo pokyciais, reformomis, objektyviomis viesojo valdymo evoliucijos priežastimis ir subjektyviais veiksniais formuojant viesosios vertės kūrimo strategines projekcijas ir praktinio įgyvendinimo sprendimų mechanizmus. Autorius, naudodamas metaanalizės, interpretavimo, teorinio modeliavimo, lyginamosios analizės, klasifikavimo ir kitus mokslinio tyrimo metodus, straipsnyje siekia identifikuoti viesosios vertės kūrimo procese besikeiciancią viesojo valdymo institucijų organizacinių tikslų spektro specifiką teikiant viesąsias paslaugas. Analizuojami itin svarbiais viesosios vertės kūrimo proceso praktinio įgyvendinimo eigoje tampantys viesųjų paslaugų kokybiniai parametrai, organizacinės veiklos legitimacija, įgyvendinamų procesų ir sprendimų skaidrumas, organizacijų veiklos demokratinis pobūdis, socialiai orientuotas viesosios vertės kūrimo kryptingumas, plataus spektro piliecių dalyvavimo formų plėtra, sutelkiant įvairių suinteresuotųjų pastangas siekiant efektyvaus viesosios vertės kūrimo .
TL;DR: In this article, a trilingual comparative analysis of the most commonly used terms that denote activities reducing tax liability is presented, including tax planning, tax avoidance and tax evasion/fraud.
Abstract: Public sector fraud reduces government resources for healthcare, education and welfare. The recent case of the Panama Papers revealed that 12 national leaders are among 143 politicians, their families and close associates from around the world known to have been using offshore tax havens. It is obvious that activities concerning tax have rapidly gained an international dimension both globally and in Europe. A crucial role in communication on tax-related issues between states is played by precision in using terminology, with the choice of the correct equivalents in different languages. It has been pointed out by professionals in the tax field that some major concepts are elusive for the public and specialists alike, such as tax avoidance and tax evasion, or tax minimisation and tax avoidance. The aim of this paper is to offer a trilingual – English, Lithuanian and Norwegian – comparative analysis of the most commonly used terms that denote activities reducing tax liability. It establishes the counterparts of terminology that refer to different categories of activities reducing tax liability in those three languages, discusses synonymy of the terms and their usage in legal acts and media discourse, and offers insights into semantic differences between the terms analysed and their degree of equivalency. The terminology was verified using the multilingual database Interactive Terminology for Europe (IATE) and supplemented using numerous additional sources, such as legal acts, various official documents and media materials. The research focuses on terms ascribed to the three most common types of tax activities (tax planning, tax avoidance and tax evasion/fraud) and the two phenomena of tax shelters and tax havens. The insights offered into usage of the terms, their counterparts in the three languages, their synonyms and semantics are believed to be valuable for efficient professional communication internationally.
TL;DR: The authors discusses the development of regional policies in two countries, Latvia and Norway, and presents how these policies have evolved and can be understood with the application of a theoretical framework for analysis.
Abstract: This article discusses the development of regional policies in two countries, Latvia and Norway. The aim of the article is to present how these policies have evolved and can be understood with the application of a theoretical framework for analysis. Even though Latvia and Norway have quite different experiences in regional development policy, both have tried to react to modern challenges of globalization and demographic changes by applying general theories and concepts of economic and social development. Differences and similarities between the two countries are high-lighted by a review of studies from Latvia and Norway that describes the variety of policy that can be applied for regional development.
TL;DR: In this article, a case study of a national civil aviation authority focuses on how global and European regimes for aviation safety regulation impact the administrative behaviour of national-level agency officials when they apply aviation legislation.
Abstract: This case study of a national civil aviation authority focuses on how global and European regimes for aviation safety regulation impact the administrative behaviour of national-level agency officials when they apply aviation legislation. The organizational differences between the International Civil Aviation Organization and the European Union are reflected in the behaviour of national officials. Formally, the European Union enforces application of law through binding regulations and inspections, but enforcement is also informal. Although the International Civil Aviation Organization lacks the capacity to follow up in the same way, it also participates in and hosts many relevant activities. Using an organizational perspective, this article ascribes these differences to factors such as capacity, specialization, and demography. At the same time, empirical findings show similarities in contact patterns among important stakeholders when officials apply law. Institutional theory relates similarities in contact...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an organisational culture research using the example of Polish courts, and details the results of the first area of research: employee satisfaction levels, where more than 1,250 questionnaires were received from 28 units.
Abstract: Knowledge management is a concept that developed rapidly about 10 years ago. The literature on the subject emphasises the important role that organisational culture plays in it. Culture and knowledge management are strongly connected, as demonstrated by the literature studies in this article. The purpose of the article is to present organisational culture research using the example of Polish courts, and it details the results of the first area of research: employee satisfaction levels. A benchmarking method was used for the study. More than 1,250 questionnaires were received from 28 units. This allowed the author to favourably assess the research tool used because it enabled interesting conclusions to be drawn about the entities researched, with respondents deciding to take action leading to changes in their organisational culture. It was thus possible to use quantitative research to transition to qualitative research. The top management of courts in certain regions appointed court employees responsible for implementing solutions to improve organisational culture in a given court. Another effect of this research is mutual learning: the courts that participated in the study and achieved results that were significantly below average are trying to start discussions with courts that achieved results that were well above average. The research presented in this article thus seems to be an interesting tool for influencing organisational culture.