Public Policy and Administration
https://ojs.mruni.eu/ojs/public-policy-and-administration
<p><strong>Aim.</strong> The academic journal Public Policy and Administration aims to encourage scientific research aimed at finding new theoretical and practical solutions for the formation and implementation of public policy; analyze current trends in public administration and suggest new alternatives for decision making and implementation for public administration practice; pay special attention to the analysis and critical evaluation of the processes of public administration in Eastern and Central Europe; contribute to the improvement of the research methodology in the field of public policy; ensure effective dissemination of scientific knowledge by publishing relevant up-to-date studies and conference reviews.</p> <p><strong>Format of publication.</strong> The journal includes articles analyzing theoretical and practical issues in the areas of public policy and administration in Central and Eastern Europe. Priority is given to articles analyzing transformational processes and reform management in Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Latvia, Poland, the Czech Republic, good practices of these countries, current issues in the formation and implementation of public policy in Lithuania and, among them, the developments in the public administration reform and the implementation of European Union standards. Of particular interest are institutional and functional issues in EU governance, regional development of knowledge society, managerial competencies of public servants and ethical problems. The journal also reviews conferences, books, and events of interest to the fields of public policy and administration.</p> <p><strong>Periodicity.</strong> Articles are published in English<em> quarterly</em>.</p> <p><strong>Peer review.</strong> Submitted articles are reviewed by applying the double-blind method (the identities of the author(s) and reviewers are kept unknown). Each article is appointed at least two referees (scientists with a degree in the relevant field).</p> <p><strong>Indexation.</strong> The academic journal <em>Public Policy and Administration</em> is included in the Scopus, EBSCO Publishing, Inc., C.E.E.O.L., DOAJ international databases.</p> <p><em>This is an open access journal which means that all content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the BOAI definition of open access.</em></p>Mykolas Romeris UniversityenPublic Policy and Administration1648-2603<p>Authors contributing to Public Policy and Administration agree to publish their articles under a <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/legalcode">Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public </a><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/legalcode">(CC BY-NC-ND)</a><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/legalcode"> License</a>, allowing third parties to share their work (copy, distribute, transmit) and to adapt it, under the condition that the authors are given credit, and that in the event of reuse or distribution, the terms of this licence are made clear.</p><p><br /><br /><img class="img-responsive" style="width: 120px; height: 45px;" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" alt="CC" /><br /><br /></p>ANALYSIS OF PSEUDO-DECENTRALIZATION AND FINANCIAL DEPENDENCY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REGIONAL AUTONOMY IN SUMEDANG REGENCY OF INDONESIA
https://ojs.mruni.eu/ojs/public-policy-and-administration/article/view/8013
<p>This study examines the phenomenon of pseudo-decentralization and financial dependence in the context of regional autonomy implementation in Sumedang Regency, Indonesia. Using a case study approach and analyzing financial data from 2019-2022, this research investigates the extent to which Sumedang Regency relies on central and provincial governments for financial resources. The findings reveal a high level of financial dependence due to limited income sources provided by the central government to regions like Sumedang. Despite this dependency, Sumedang Regency has successfully executed development programs and received awards, partly due to effective political lobbying by regional leaders. However, this reliance on local elites may hinder the achievement of decentralization objectives and lead to unequal development outcomes. As a recommendation, the central government is urged to focus on implementing fiscal policies that distribute more lucrative and equitable financial resources to all regencies and cities, promoting genuine decentralization and fair development.</p>
ArticlesAkadun AKADUN
Copyright (c) 2024 Public Policy and Administration
2024-03-252024-03-2592210.13165/STRATEGIES OF REGIONAL LEVIES OF THE MARINE AFFAIRS AND FISHERIES OFFICE OF CENTRAL JAVA PROVINCE OF INDONESIA
https://ojs.mruni.eu/ojs/public-policy-and-administration/article/view/8014
<p>There is still a need to properly increase the role of regional levies in generating revenue for Central Java Province. This is because each region has been granted the authority to manage its affairs, including regional finance, with the expectation that regional governments will become financially independent from the central government. In reality, many regions in Indonesia and other countries still significantly rely on the central government for financial support. Therefore, regional governments must focus on increasing revenue by improving the management of regional levies at the Regional Apparatus Organizations. This is achieved<br />through the development of strategies for the regional levies sector based on the SWOT analysis results and the projected regional levies revenue of the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office of Central Java Province. This research aimed to identify strategies, create strategies for regional levies, and analyze the projected revenue from these levies. This is expected to support efforts to increase regional levies revenue. This research used primary and secondary data. The primary data were obtained through interview results with key informants to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats faced by the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office in collecting regional levies. Meanwhile, secondary data comprised information on regional levies and relevant references on the Regional Apparatus Organization. The data collected were analyzed using the SWOT and multiple linear regression analyses as analytical techniques. The results showed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats used to collect regional levies and also the strategies. Based on the projected revenue, the levies generated by this Regional Apparatus Organization are projected to increase from 2022 to 2027 steadily. The implications include recommendations for activities carried out by the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Office, which aligned with the potential and capabilities of the regional and central government regulations governing regional levies.</p>
ArticlesDiah Setyorini GunawanIcuk Rangga Bawono
Copyright (c) 2024 Public Policy and Administration
2024-03-252024-03-25233810.13165/ENHANCEMENT OF PERFORMANCE AUDIT FOR EFFECTIVE BUDGET INVESTMENTS
https://ojs.mruni.eu/ojs/public-policy-and-administration/article/view/8015
<p>The relevance of the study is due to the need to improve the efficiency of budget investments in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Performance audits of the use of these investments will reveal opportunities to optimize expenditures and increase the overall socio-economic impact, which is significant for the sustainable development of the country. In order to improve the efficiency and socio-economic return of budget expenditures, this study is focused on evaluating the efficiency of budget investments during the performance audit. This study is aimed at reviewing the role and capabilities of the performance audit, as a mechanism of public financial control of budget investments. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used as a method for evaluating efficiency. Taking into account the reference management, the DEA algorithm is proposed to address the issue of limited input and output data to evaluate the national socio-economic development indicators. The special study of the budget investments’ technical performance in the regions of Kazakhstan shows that this method can be used since it improves the flexibility and performance of evaluation in the performance audit. The stability of the concept of performance audit is therefore confirmed, showing the need for a periodic revision of the legislative and methodological base. The study highlighted the main challenges of performance audit of budget investments in the Republic of Kazakhstan and provided recommendations for improvement.</p>
ArticlesLyazzat SembiyevaAssel IsmailovaCeslovas ChristauskasBegzat Nurmaganbetova
Copyright (c) 2024 Public Policy and Administration
2024-03-252024-03-25395010.13165/POLITICAL BUDGET CYCLES AND MAYORAL INFLUENCE IN LATVIAN MUNICIPALITIES: AN EXAMINATION OF REVENUE, EXPENDITURE, AND ELECTORAL DYNAMICS
https://ojs.mruni.eu/ojs/public-policy-and-administration/article/view/8016
<p>Budget allocation and budget planning can be used in different ways. In addition, it can be part of a political budget cycle. Previous research has highlighted the political budget cycle’s existence in European countries, demonstrating its impact on public revenue and expenditure near elections. However, citizens often lack awareness of this phenomenon, underscoring the need for vigilant scrutiny. In addition, elected politicians increasingly rely on voters for support, targeting them during budget allocation and election campaigns. In Latvia, the mayors have a role in budget planning because they work full-time and are the head of the financial commission. In Latvia, despite a lack of trust in local politicians, there is a tendency for most of the mayors to be re-elected. The article aims to examine what kind of role the council’s chairperson has in the local government’s budget allocation process and what factors affect the budget allocation process in Latvia. The article’s scope encompasses the years 2009 to 2017, spanning two election terms (2009-2013; 2013-2017), and focuses on eight state cities in Latvia, excluding the capital city, Riga. Notably, local governments with a higher percentage of council members from the mayor’s party tend to exhibit higher expenditure levels. The findings of this study suggest that various socio-economic and political factors impact the financial performance of local governments in Latvia. These results underscore the significance of population and unemployment in shaping local government expenditures. Simultaneously, this research has highlighted the importance of political factors such as the majority in the local government and time spent in the mayor’s position. Moreover, it reveals that long-serving mayors and a majority in the council also influence budget allocation decisions. This article’s implications can guide policymakers in making informed decisions regarding municipal budget expenditures and revenues.</p>
ArticlesMalvīne Stučka
Copyright (c) 2024 Public Policy and Administration
2024-03-252024-03-25516210.13165/PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF STATE REGULATION OF CRYPTOMINING IN KAZAKHSTAN
https://ojs.mruni.eu/ojs/public-policy-and-administration/article/view/8017
<p>The cryptocurrency mining sector in Kazakhstan has witnessed remarkable expansion, attracting global miners due to favourable conditions. However, this growth has underscored the country’s energy scarcity, leading to the enforcement of stringent regulations by the government. This article seeks to offer a thorough comprehension of the regulatory framework governing cryptocurrency mining in Kazakhstan. Examining diverse aspects such as the legal status of mining, licensing structures, tax considerations, and the impact on energy infrastructure, the study utilizes international experiences and stimulus materials.<br>Through the analysis of media representation and examination of primary trends, it is revealed that while the government has addressed legal gaps and instituted transparent tax procedures, taxing digital mining may discourage foreign investments, given the industry’s current fragility due to excessive regulations. The article provides insights into the regulatory landscape, emphasizing challenges and opportunities.</p>
ArticlesBeimbet MussinAygul KosherbayevaNurzhan KuandykovSalamat Yegeubayeva Zukhra Mussina
Copyright (c) 2024 Public Policy and Administration
2024-03-252024-03-25637310.13165/PERCEPTION OF THREATS TO NATIONAL SECURITY AND SERVICE MOTIVATION OF SOLDIERS ENROLLED IN PERMANENT COMPULSORY INITIAL MILITARY SERVICE
https://ojs.mruni.eu/ojs/public-policy-and-administration/article/view/8018
<p>The paper focuses on soldiers enrolled in permanent compulsory initial military service in Lithuania and analyses their service motivation and attitudes to threats to national security. The article identifies the motives for joining permanent compulsory initial military service and highlights the fact that young people’s choice of permanent compulsory initial military service is most often driven by individual motives. In order to compare the results, representative surveys were conducted in 2018 and 2023. The empirical data suggest that the perception of the main threat to national security identified by troops as an economic threat remained unchanged between 2018 and 2023. However, in 2023, soldiers grew somewhat more aware of the threat of military aggression. In 2018, volunteers differed significantly from conscript forces in their determination to engage in national defense. The expected determination to engage in national defense at a time of an increased military threat did not significantly increase in 2023 compared to 2018; moreover, the attitudes of volunteers and conscripts failed to converge. However, 2023 saw a significant increase in conscripts’ service motivation and an improvement in their assessment of the National Defence Volunteer Forces.</p>
ArticlesGerda Kazlauskienė
Copyright (c) 2024 Public Policy and Administration
2024-03-252024-03-25748610.13165/HANDLING WITH LEGITIMACY CRISIS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY: HOW IS THE PROMOTION OF CONFUCIANISM RELATED WITH THE LABOUR PROTEST LEVELS?
https://ojs.mruni.eu/ojs/public-policy-and-administration/article/view/8020
<p>This article aims to shed light on the problem of Confucianism’s role in strengthening the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party. After 40 years of economic reform, contemporary China is by and large functioning as a quasi-capitalist state, however, due to the lack of protection of the labour class, the conflicts between the workers and their employers have created a legitimacy crisis for China’s authoritarian regime and forced it to seek alternative means to strengthening its legitimacy apart from its orthodox communism ideology and the coercive measures. In this article, the researchers try to answer the abovementioned question by examining the correlation between the coverage of Confucianism (the frequency of messages related to Confucian ideas) in the Chinese Communist Party’s biggest state-owned newspaper People’s Daily and how Chinese people acknowledge the regime as rightful, which is expressed via Chinese labour protest levels. The vector autoregressive (VAR) modelling results revealed that in the period between 2011 and 2019, the Chinese Communist Party used Confucianism as one of the instruments to build and strengthen the regime’s legitimacy whereby it can pacify the dissatisfaction of the labour class. Further, considering that many authoritarian regimes shared a similar approach of using the dominant religion or culture to enhance their legitimacy during crises, the findings of this research could also open a new avenue for further comparative studies on these authoritarian regimes’ discrepancies using the same approach.</p>
ArticlesLigita ŠarkutėJiabin Song
Copyright (c) 2024 Public Policy and Administration
2024-03-252024-03-258710110.13165/FRAMING THE FIRST 1000 DAYS OF A CHILD’S LIFE AS A PUBLIC POLICY ISSUE
https://ojs.mruni.eu/ojs/public-policy-and-administration/article/view/8021
<p>This article aims to reveal evidence-based problems of the first 1000 days of a child’s life and their positioning in Lithuania. The article is based on a narrative literature review. The data were analysed using public policy problem framing approach, restricted to identifying different framings of the problem. The main framings of the problem of the first 1000 days of a child’s life were identified: (1) biomedical (emphasis on influence of environmental factor when considering child’s development, as well as future of his health outcomes); (2) socio-economic (emphasis influence of poverty on child development, returns from early investments in children, the strengthening of future human capital; (3) nurturing care (emphasis the importance of health care, social protection, nutrition, responsive relationships); (4) sustainable development (emphasis the concern of early childhood, the necessity to resolve health, poverty, and environmental issues, and strengthening peace and solidarity). All framings focus on the life course perspective of child’s life and the intergenerational nature of problems. Different fields’ problem-presenting frameworks do not compete with one another but serves as the foundation for a robust policy agenda for early childhood development. Both in science and in the media, Lithuania is dominated by an exclusively biomedical framings of the problem. Although in the Lithuanian education system, early childhood education is defined as pre-school, treated from the birth of the child, but the educational solutions of the first 1000 days of the child’s life are left to the responsibility of the parents. In the social sector, the first 1000 days are more associated with protection against violence after the birth of a child. Preventive health care for pregnant women and children in Lithuania is carried out in an established general guideline, without excluding vulnerable groups and without prioritizing the first 1000 days of a child’s life. Systematic research, advocacy coalitions and the inclusion of the problem on the political agenda are lacking in this field. It is recommended to finance interdisciplinary research on the first 1000 days of a child’s life, to create coalitions and a state program for the first 1000 days of a child’s life in Lithuania.</p>
ArticlesIlona TamutienėVaida Auglytė
Copyright (c) 2024 Public Policy and Administration
2024-03-252024-03-2510211310.13165/