Integrated early childhood systems require coordination across education, health, and social protection, making them a demanding test case for local governance and intersectoral administrative capacity. This article examines how municipal authorities can act as conveners and coordinators of integrated service delivery, using the Primokiz-supported process in Brasov Municipality (Romania) as a case study. Data comes from a structured situation assessment within the 'Romania Grows with You' initiative, including three focus groups (professionals, parents of children in partner kindergartens, and parents of children in partner nurseries) and 1,049 parent questionnaires. Findings point to a set of governance-relevant constraints: fragmented referral pathways across sectors, uneven specialist coverage across neighborhoods, limited inter-institutional routines, and workforce bottlenecks that weaken early identification and intervention, often compensated through private or NGO provision, with equity implications. The municipality-led coordination process translated these constraints into a metropolitan early childhood strategy covering 17 communities and into inter-municipal learning networks, illustrating how local administrative capacity and 'soft' coordination tools can scale beyond single jurisdictions. The article contributes to public administration debates on decentralization, collaborative and network governance, and the role of municipalities in complex service systems, offering relevant lessons on pathway design, workforce coordination, and institutionalized local governance for equity.
Organizational change has become increasingly frequent across various sectors, and public administration is no exception. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of organizational changes on organizational climate, as well as public servants’ responses to structural changes within the Slovenian state administration. The study was conducted in May 2025 in state administration institutions in Slovenia, and 1,070 respondents were included in the research sample. The data were collected using an online questionnaire developed with the 1KA online tool, and statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics 29. This study revealed that the majority of respondents had experienced organizational changes over the past five years, with personnel-related and structural changes being the most prevalent. We found statistically significant associations between certain types of organizational change andemployees’ perceptions of the organizational climate in the Slovenian state administration. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that both communication clarity and management feedback had a statistically significant negative effect on public servants’ negative responses, as well as a positive effect on their perceptions of the organizational climate.
This paper examines the transformative potential of climate adaptation projects in Belgrade by analyzing how urban governance enables innovation, enhances visibility, and supports institutionalization-three key conditions for building transformative capacity. Using a structured methodological framework, the study maps 65 projects implemented between 2020 and 2024, assessing their activities, actor networks, and funding mechanisms. The results indicate that most projects focus on preparatory actions, such as planning instruments and knowledge exchange, with limited implementation of physical interventions. While administrative bodies have played a central role in initiating innovation, the lack of strong political leadership, institutional learning, and sustained financial commitment constrains systemic transformation. The findings highlight underdeveloped cross-sector collaboration and limited continuity between project phases, with innovation often remaining isolated and short-term. However, promising examples such as innovation competitions and international partnerships suggest entry points for more embedded and participatory adaptation pathways. The paper argues that strengthening local institutional capacities, fostering diverse networks, and embedding feedback mechanisms into planning processes are essential for advancing transformative urban climate governance. The study also demonstrates that the applied framework can be replicated in other cities, particularly those with post-socialist context, offering both methodological and theoretical contributions to climate adaptation and urban planning research.
This study explores local governments' Weibo-based info disclosure during health crises like COVID-19, using governance capacity and legitimacy frameworks. It identifies three strategies: high-quality, focused and balanced disclosure. Cities like Hangzhou and Harbin show these are influenced by disclosure capacity and legitimacy. High-quality disclosers focus on livelihood info, while focused ones prioritize epidemic info. Balanced disclosers are in-between. This analysis highlights the interplay between governance capacity and legitimacy in local government information strategies during health crises.
The existence of brownfields in the cadastre of towns and municipalities subjectively and objectively reduces the comfort of life not only for residents but also for visitors and economic entities as a whole. The key problem of brownfields is primarily the negative externalities associated with abandoned and unused buildings and sites, which, given the public sector’s social commitment to maintaining cleanliness and public order, encourage municipalities to actively address the situation of these unwanted properties. The advantage of the public sector is that it has better access to multi-source funding for the brownfield redevelopment process itself and can thus be more successful than the private sector.The aim of the article is to analyze the relationship between the characteristics of brownfield sites and the structure of public sources of financing for their regeneration, with the example of the Moravian-Silesian Region in the Czech Republic. The analysis of the use of public finance itself has not been surveyed and published anywhere before, and offers an interesting insight into the issue of public financing of brownfield regeneration in a Central European country.
Volunteering is widely endorsed in Romania, yet formal participation remains limited, creating persistent recruitment and retention challenges for NGOs. To understand the attitudinal landscape underlying this gap, this study applies the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) to nationally representative survey data collected in April-May 2024 (N = 1,005). The measurement strategy captures perceived value, social norms, feasibility, trust, and motivational functions relevant to volunteer engagement. Exploratory factor analysis identifies eight coherent attitudinal dimensions, and k-means clustering of factor scores reveals four orientations toward volunteering: (1) Critics, (2) Involved, (3) Undecided and Indifferent, and (4) Skeptics with Personal Priorities. The typology distinguishes between distrust-based and constraint-based skepticism, clarifying why widespread approval does not reliably translate into sustained participation. Integrating TPB and VFI at the population level provides a theory-informed account of the mechanisms that shape volunteering intentions in Romania, a context marked by low formal NGO-based volunteering rates and lingering post-socialist ambivalence toward civic organizations. The findings offer a segmentation lens that NGOs and policymakers can use to improve volunteer recruitment and role design, reduce perceived barriers, and strengthen management practices suited to different attitudinal profiles. Limitations and avenues for comparative and confirmatory research are discussed.
The implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is driving a paradigm shift in public administration, reshaping resource management, public service delivery, and institutional values. This study examines the role of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the role of training in equipping public officials with systems thinking and interdisciplinary competencies, aligning training processes with institutional requirements. We provide a theoretical, methodological, and empirical analysis of the Romanian case, offering insights into the development of a new professional category: the sustainable development expert. Our findings highlight the correlation between SDG competency frameworks and the training needs of public officials, proposing educational and institutional strategies to enhance sustainability-related expertise. The Romanian experience serves as a reference model for researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers across the EU in advancing public administration training for sustain
This study examines the impact of local public administration on the perceived effectiveness of municipal multi-sport clubs in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), a region characterized by hybrid governance and strong municipal ownership of sports organizations. Using original survey data from 181 clubs across 11 CEE countries, the research employs an ordered logit model to evaluate how financial support, strategic co-decision-making, and administrative transparency influence club outcomes such as internal satisfaction, public visibility, and perceived athletic performance. Results show that municipal funding significantly improves both satisfaction and performance, while involvement in decision-making enhances visibility. Transparent and predictable administrative practices foster trust and improve organizational satisfaction. The study highlights the role of local authorities not only as resource providers but as civic partners capable of shaping inclusive and visible sports ecosystems. These findings have policy relevance for strengthening municipal governance practices and improving the resilience and civic function of publicly supported sport institutions in transitional governance environments.
In today's complex and dynamic world, knowledge is the key factor in the rise or fall of societies, policies, and local governments. The classic administrative reforms are no longer suitable for the constantly changing times, in which knowledge has become one of the most valuable resources; henceforth, public institutions need to adapt to ongoing change. For this reason, it is necessary to foster an organizational culture that is more open to change, allows adaptability and diversity, and supports a more resilient approach to thinking and developing strategies. This article analyzes the organizational culture perceived in 17 city halls in Romania, using Denison's model, to assess whether there is a correlation between their scores and their ability to manage challenges and have a strategic orientation with respect to knowledge transfer and adaptation to adversities or to the needs of their community. This exploratory research aims to see if there is room for expanding this type of analysis and if it can represent a feasible tool to be used by local authorities in their process of administrative reform.
This article examines the emerging role of debt counseling within Romania's social services in the context of Directive (EU) 2023/2225. Over-indebtedness is increasingly recognized across Europe as both an economic and a social risk, with significant implications for mental health, family stability, and social inclusion. Building on a comparative review of European good practice in France, Germany, and Ireland, together with a case study conducted in Cluj County, the paper explores the necessity, feasibility, and institutional implications of introducing debt counseling into Romania's welfare architecture. Empirical data were collected through a county-wide survey addressed to professionals working in community-based social services. Findings reveal a broad professional consensus: 93% of respondents consider debt counseling not merely useful but essential in supporting vulnerable families to manage their financial resources and avoid long-term exclusion. Respondents identified multiple sources of financial distress, ranging from high-cost loans and credit unions to informal borrowing and limited fiscal literacy. At the same time, they emphasized the need for specialized training and the development of a clear legal and institutional framework. The article argues that debt counseling should not be seen as an optional service but as a core obligation of modern social protection. Policy recommendations include the official recognition of the function, the creation of a national training curriculum, pilot projects for gradual implementation, and inter-sectoral partnerships. Romania has the opportunity to turn a European legal requirement into a national commitment to social solidarity and resilience.
Twin deficits hypothesis (TDH), supported by the Keynesian approach, implies that an increase in a government's budget deficit will deteriorate the country's current account deficit. Numerous empirical studies have investigated this approach for individual country case studies as well as for groups of countries in panel data analyses. Therefore, it is the purpose of this study to investigate the twin deficits hypothesis of Albania, a small developing economy in Eastern Europe. An econometric analysis with quarterly data for the period 2008-2022 investigates this relationship, revealing political implications for fiscal policy and country trade imbalances. Empirical results show a unidirectional Granger cause between the budget balance and the current account balance. The vector error correction model finds evidence of the Keynesian twin hypothesis in the context of the Albanian economy. There is a long-run positive relationship between the budget deficit and the current account deficit, whereas the results do not hold in the short run. The short-term dynamics reveal a complex interplay where fiscal improvements deteriorate the current account. However, the adjustment factor error correction term stabilizes the short-run dynamics toward the long-run relationship, emphasizing the role of persistent coordination among fiscal disciplines and sustained trade imbalances.
During the economic and social growth transition, the Chinese government must promptly address and resolve various significant and unexpected social challenges, prioritizing social matters and establishing a response-oriented agenda-setting model. A qualitative comparative analysis method was employed within the response-oriented agenda-setting triggering framework, incorporating aspects of advocacy coalition theory. This analysis utilized 45 focusing events from 2018 to 2023 to delineate four response-oriented agenda-setting triggering modes: clear-pointing, government-society interaction, event-triggered, and composite mode. Diverse focusing events initiated internal oscillations within the policy subsystem, while high-level government attention allocation prioritized events on the policy agenda, resulting in interactions between primary and secondary coalitions and response-oriented agenda setting influenced by policy learning. School
This study investigates the dynamics of sustainable urban development in Guangzhou, a rapidly growing megacity in southern China. Using the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model, the research constructs a comprehensive indicator system to assess sustainability performance across economic, environmental, and governance dimensions. Coupling coordination analysis is applied to evaluate the degree of synergy among these subsystems from 2013 to 2022, while regression analysis identifies key drivers influencing their alignment. The findings reveal that Guangzhou experienced notable fluctuations in sustainability coordination, with policy interventions playing a critical role during periods of high alignment. Economic transformation, infrastructure development, and environmental investment are found to be significant contributors to coordination, while industrial pressure and regulatory lag present persistent challenges. The study highlights the value of integrated assessment frameworks in supporting evidence-based governance and offers insights for other fast-growing cities seeking to balance development and environmental responsibility under the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.
This article reviews the factors that influence Public Investment Management (PIM) and examines their critical role in long-term benefits of the governmental investments. They are essential for fueling demand, fostering innovation, and addressing market failures. The article draws on a critical analysis of academic theories and institutional literature including Keynesian economics, Endogenous Growth Theory, Public Goods Theory, and Human Capital Theory and demonstrates the importance of public investments to generate multiplier effects and long-term productivity gains. It also provides an examination of the PIM determinants, addressing strategic and operational dimensions. Key determinants analyzed include institutional capacity and governance, project appraisal and selection, risk management and uncertainty mitigation, procurement and contract management, political economy and technical capacity. The analysis identifies bottlenecks and enablers of the processes and the importance of these factors for achieving long-term impact. Ultimately, the article discusses that the key determinants affect the efficiency, resilience and fairness of public investments and improving PIM effectiveness requires technical reforms and a systemic rethinking of the quality of its governance and delivery.
Cost-benefit analysis is an essential tool for evaluating public policies, providing decision-makers with a solid foundation for implementing efficient solutions. The purpose of this article is to assess the effectiveness of vocational training programs as an active labor market measure, using a cost-benefit analysis methodology developed by the author. The methodology was developed and applied within the ReCONECT project - Adapting to Change: Integrated Mechanism for Anticipation, Monitoring, and Evaluation of the Labor Market and Education (2021-2022), using data from the General Registry of Employees (REVISAL) and the National Employment Agency (NEA). The analysis includes monitoring participants' trajectories, evaluating employment rates at the end of the training programs and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-completion, as well as identifying and monetizing direct costs and benefits. Additionally, the study analyzes regional disparities in program efficiency. Findings indicate that, on average, the measure becomes economically efficient six months after course completion. The significant differences across development regions highlight the importance of tailoring programs to local contexts and ensuring the efficient use of public resources in employment policy.
This study investigates how organizational fraud impacts the decline of nonprofit organizations, focusing on the role of governance structures during crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzing U.S. nonprofits that reported fraud between 2017 and 2019, the results show that 34% of these organizations shut down within three years, compared to only 4.3% of those that did not report fraud. The study highlights key governance factors, such as internal control systems and board oversight, that significantly influence the likelihood of organizational closure. Strong internal controls were linked to a lower risk of shutdown, emphasizing their protective effect during times of increased uncertainty. Additionally, larger boards were associated with better oversight, which may help prevent organizational failure. The research also emphasizes the impact of organizational size and external funding, with larger nonprofits and those receiving government grants being less likely to close. Overall, the findings underscore the essential role of governance and financial support in helping nonprofits endure fraud-related challenges during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Somewhat paradoxically, the volume edited by Ongaro, Orsina and Castellani appears at exactly the right moment: while the contemporary world is absorbed with technical and operational solutions (e.g., how to integrate AI into…), this book addresses a more strategic concern: how do we define what truly matters? From the authors’ perspective (which I fully share), the solution is not merely operational. It requires a deeper understanding of the domains, concepts and strategic paradigms we inhabit. It is almost impossible to respond effectively to challenges we do not fully understand.
Digital inequalities shape not only the national and regional contexts, but also the urban and metropolitan landscape, amplifying existing social and spatial divides. The existing disparities are no longer limited to the peripheral areas but now affect access to services, participation, and opportunities, especially in the new highly connected smart cities. In response, several strategies, both formal and informal, have been implemented, from digital inclusion programs to development plans integrating digital access as key priority. One of the approaches that currently are gaining traction is represented by the digital helpers. These individuals, often younger family members, caregivers, social workers, or community volunteers, support others in navigating essential digital tasks, from online administration to accessing health or education services. Our paper offers a comprehensive review of the concept of digital helpers, exploring their characteristics, the contexts in which they operate, and their potential to mitigate digital inequalities. Based on a multidisciplinary literature and urban policy frameworks, the paper highlights how integrating digital helpers into local strategies can provide a flexible complement to existing policies. It concludes with recommendations for urban and metropolitan policymakers to access and cultivate this social resource to promote digital equity.
Governance of healthcare services is worldwide predominantly pursued in competitive quality-sensitive markets, which are nowadays drastically influenced by strong digitalization trends. This paper explores a value-based approach to enhancing healthcare delivery through the integration of emerging advanced digital technology access and the use of customized strategic decision and policy frameworks. The study begins by addressing the urgent policy and societal need for value-based healthcare systems, particularly in response to global or urgent health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The novel integrated healthcare intelligence framework, proposed in our study, aims to enhance healthcare management by leveraging cross-cutting digital approaches, strategic performance management, and big data analytics. This study addresses, in a systematic way, a collection of three elected key contextual conditions, including a mind mapping presentation, smart wellbeing conditions, and institutional corporate challenges. Each section in this paper examines consistently various specific operational strategies and digital technologies aimed at improving healthcare policy outcomes and setting a global benchmark for service innovation in the healthcare sector. The study presents at the end the contours of an integrated digitally-inspired early warning system for quality enhancement in the healthcare sector. The concluding section proposes operational anchor points for innovative healthcare service delivery, showcasing sustainable and equitable healthcare solutions through illustrative AI-driven pilot projects, practical capacity building, and public health engagement initiatives.
The authors explore the state of digital inclusion and their various aspects in Montenegro, as one of the basic prerequisites for the expansion and growth of e-Government, with the aim of assessing its overall quality for future smart city development. This is done by analyzing the basic strategic framework of e-Government, as well as relevant parts of the most recent and most extensive public opinion survey on citizen satisfaction with e-Government in Montenegro, conducted as part of the activities established by the strategic framework. A better understanding of the current levels of digital inclusion in Montenegro allows for better-informed decision-making on the viability and strategic course of future development of smart cities in Montenegro, and on the measures and activities needed for their improvement.
