This paper examines how Albania’s Constitutional Court has contributed to strengthening democratic civil society through the protection of human rights, particularly in the realm of administrative law, following the 2016 constitutional reform. Since then, individuals can directly file constitutional complaints in cases of alleged fundamental rights violations–an essential indicator of democratic maturity. Between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024, the Court issued 197 decisions on individual constitutional complaints. In 2024, 90% (76 out of 84) of decisions involved such complaints, with 32% (27 cases) relating to administrative law. Among these, 89% referenced the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), 37% cited the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case-law, and 37% referred to both. In 2023, 91% (64 out of 70) of decisions addressed individual complaints, with 43% (30 cases) involving administrative law. Of these, 80% applied the ECHR, 40% cited ECtHR case-law, and 37% referenced both. In 2022, 81% (35 out of 43) of decisions addressed individual complaints, with 51% (18 cases) concerning administrative matters. Among these, 67% invoked the ECHR, while 44% cited ECtHR jurisprudence, and 44% referred to both. The most frequent human rights themes were: (1) unconstitutionality of administrative acts; (2) fair trial and due process; (3) judicial delays; (4) property rights and expropriation; and (5) access to justice. The most frequently applied provisions were Art. 6 (right to a fair trial), Art. 13 (effective remedy), and Art. 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property). Albania’s evolving jurisprudence illustrates a growing alignment with international human rights standards and highlights the increasing role of constitutional adjudication in safeguarding individual freedoms against administrative action.
This article examines internal auditing within territorial collectivities in Morocco. The main objective of the research is to assess the rate of implementation of internal audit units within territorial collectivities, given that the legal establishment of this function only occurred in 2015. The study also seeks to highlight the challenges and prospects associated with this experience. The study adopts an interpretivist philosophy and a qualitative approach, using interactive interviews and purposive sampling to collect and analyse empirical data. A comparative approach was also employed to enrich the analysis. This research constitutes an in-depth case study with a limited exploratory scope, based on nine interviews conducted through a selective sampling method in order to achieve sample saturation. Additional data were collected through documentary research. The field of research is limited to the Fez-Meknes Region and includes four territorial entities representing the three levels of decentralisation. The results of this empirical study indicate that the internal audit function is not yet widely established within territorial collectivities. With the exception of certain entities, notably the 12 regions, most territorial collectivities have not implemented this new function due to several factors, including limited financial resources, the absence of an audit culture, a lack of specialised human resources, and insufficient political will. The importance of this study lies in its contribution to knowledge concerning the modernisation of territorial collectivities in developing countries, particularly Morocco, where the number of indexed articles addressing internal control within territorial administrations remains very limited. Its significance also stems from the importance of control systems within public and private organisations and their impact on performance, as well as on administrative and financial governance. In any case, this research may constitute an initial attempt to highlight the implementation of internal auditing in these administrations. It may provide future researchers with a general basis for exploring this subject from different perspectives using other samples, and potentially for investigating other aspects of territorial collectivity management.
Decision making as such is part of everyday processes in various spheres. The research question that this study aims to answer is: Is it possible to use the TOPSIS technique to evaluate local government entities? The research question is addressed through the main objective of the research, which is to introduce TOPSIS technique (from both a theoretical and practical perspective) as a suitable tool for decision making in the conditions of local self-government. The main objective is achieved through four specific objectives (SO) focused on theoretical background (SO1), methodological framework (SO2), application background (SO3), and practical application in the field of local government (SO3). The theoretical section offers a brief classification and overview of MCDMs, focusing on the identification of the position of the TOPSIS technique. Over 120 relevant publications were used for this purpose. The methodological part presents the actual computation process of this method, with emphasis on selected approaches to determine the importance of the criteria under consideration. The paper also presents an overview of methods for determining the importance of criteria in combination with the TOPSIS technique. The most used methods include the Entropy method and evaluation by an expert group (paired comparison method). The fourth section offers empirical studies that have used this decision- making tool for their own research needs in the field of local government. 136 publications from the WoS database since 2014 have been identified using the analytical tool VOSviewer. The last part of the manuscript presents a case study of the application of TOPSIS techniques in Slovak conditions. 8 regional cities are evaluated using 4 criteria. The presented research can serve as a basic starting point for familiarizing oneself with this method and its use, not only in the context of local government.
This article examines the implementation of co-production in strengthening urban village community resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic in Surabaya, Indonesia. Departing from the argument that limited state capacity constrained government responses to complex pandemic pressures, the study positions co-production as a critical governance mechanism through which local communities, public authorities, health workers, security actors, and volunteers jointly contributed to crisis management. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on twenty semi-structured interviews with urban village actors, COVID-19 Task Force members, neighbourhood leaders, and residents, complemented by regulatory documents, government reports, field documentation, media sources, and relevant literature. The study focuses on the Kampung Tangguh Jogo Suroboyo programme as a community-based resilience initiative institutionalised through mayoral regulations and implemented at the neighbourhood level. The findings show that urban village communities were not merely passive recipients of government policy, but active co-producers involved in institutional design, participatory planning, decision-making, communication, capacity-building, implementation, and accountability. The co-production process was supported by several key elements, including legal legitimacy, flexible institutional arrangements, deliberative community meetings, WhatsApp-based coordination, volunteer training, collective leadership, social capital, and locally mobilised resources. The article demonstrates that co-production generated public value by enhancing trust, collective compliance, social solidarity, and adaptive problem-solving during the pandemic. However, it also identifies structural challenges, particularly the gap between delegated community responsibilities and limited financial support from the government. While the local government provided regulatory legitimacy and some operational support, much of the implementation depended on community self-help, voluntary labour, and informal social networks. Theoretically, the study contributes to the co-production and crisis governance literature by offering a contextualised framework for understanding how community-based co-production operates under conditions of uncertainty and constrained state capacity. Practically, it highlights the importance of volunteer empowerment, digital coordination, social capital, and adequate resource allocation for sustaining community resilience beyond emergency periods.
Pandemija bolesti COVID-19 imala je značajan utjecaj na različite industrije diljem svijeta u 2020. i godinama koje su uslijedile. Glavni izazov za europska gospodarstva bio je kako zaštititi zaposlenike i pritom osigurati kontinuitet gospodarstva (Sacks, 2020.). Pritom su države članice EU-a uvele različite mjere za zaštitu radnika i jačanje otpornosti poslodavaca, kao i za poticanje socijalnog dijaloga (Peromingo, 2020.). Cilj je rada analizirati neke od prvih utjecaja pandemije bolesti COVID-19 na radnike u Hrvatskoj te doprinijeti znanju o ekonomskim i socijalnim učincima pandemije. Na temelju mješovitog istraživačkog pristupa (intervjui s radnicima, N=16 i online anketa, N=520) analiziraju se različiti utjecaji pandemije na promjene u razini prava radnika te na uvjete i obilježja rada, i to na dvije skupine radnika: one s ugovorima o radu na neodređeno vrijeme i radnike s ugovorima o privremenom („sezonskom“) radu. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su različit intenzitet utjecaja pandemije s obzirom na različite industrije, ali generalno je pandemija imala učinke na različite prilagodbe rada novim uvjetima, i to na uvjete rada i razinu prava (promjene u broju radnih sati, povećanje radnih zadataka, promjene u razini plaća) te fleksibilizaciju oblika rada (širenje prakse rada od kuće i fleksibilno radno vrijeme). U većini dimenzija intenzitet promjena izraženiji je kod „sezonskih“ radnika. Kriza COVID-19 otvorila je i nova pitanja u vezi s kvalitetom poslova, npr. kako osigurati uvjete za rad od kuće koji su zadovoljavajući i za poslodavce i za radnike te pitanja prilagodbe sustava socijalnog osiguranja promjenama na tržištu rada i budućim izazovima.
The article discusses the topic of public control in small municipalities. In these municipalities, the control authority is represented by the municipal council, while an independent chief controller carries out the independent control functions. This study aimed to evaluate the activities of municipal chief controllers from both legislative and practical perspectives. We analysed a statistically significant sample of 272 municipalities, each with a population of up to 1,500. The areas of control activity were assessed, and we reviewed the submission and publication of annual summary control reports. The article outlines the functions, status, powers, and competencies of chief con- trollers, as well as the most common findings from their control activities. We also highlight the challenges faced by small municipalities in the realm of internal control. Finally, we provide several practical recommendations designed to enhance control performance in these municipalities. The article concludes with recommendations specifically for mayors and municipal controllers responsible for internal control.
This paper aims to explore and compare the systems of intergovernmental fiscal transfers and tax sharing in Bulgaria and Czechia, as well as their evolution. It examines the factors influencing various types of municipal revenues and their distribution among individual municipalities, and proposes a model for a tax revenue-sharing system in Bulgaria inspired by the Czech formula-based tax-sharing algorithm. The research applies Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression to identify determinants of municipal revenues and Gini coefficients to assess revenue inequality. Key explanatory variables include population, area, urbanisation, and unemployment. Additionally, simulations estimate the effects of implementing Czechia's tax-sharing formula in Bulgaria. Results confirm population size as the dominant factor shaping all revenue types in both countries. The simulations suggest that adopting a formula-based tax-sharing mechanism in Bulgaria could reduce fiscal disparities and enhance expenditure decentralisation.
This article explores the main challenges faced by local government units in Croatia in the absorption of EU funds. The research is based on a thematic analysis of interviews conducted with local government representatives and business consultants from all regions of Croatia, ensuring comprehensive territorial coverage and capturing the heterogeneity of local governance experiences across municipalities and cities of varying sizes, development levels, and geographic locations. The study identifies four key challenges: limited human capacity, difficulties in ensuring financial sustainability, administrative complexity, and political influence. This paper contributes to the ongoing debate on the need for a comprehensive reform of the local self-government system in Croatia, advocating for territorial amalgamation as a means of strengthening local absorption capacity, seen as a prerequisite for the effective implementation of cohesion policy and balanced regional development.
The study focuses on the territorial systems of public administration in selected Member States of the European Union. A widely used solution in European administrative systems is the implementation of the central authority through deconcentrated bodies. However, there is no single solution; instead, there are different variations of this approach. The paper specifically illustrates the similarities and differences among some former regime-changing states (transition countries). We argue that the evolving needs of the present time and contemporary states and their active public administrations are no longer adequately addressed by the instruments of the past. In our scientific opinion, deconcentrated state administration will play a very important role in the future in addressing the challenges posed by the changing framework, where it exists. The study is intended to serve as a basis for further research.
The aim of this paper is to examine the elements of a successful case study in social sciences and, specifically, how a case study contributes to the development of Croatian administrative science, i.e. whether there is a kind of emerging common research model. An analysis of the papers in one selected scientific journal and doctoral theses was conducted for that purpose. It showed that, for the successful implementation of a case study, it was of utmost importance to follow basic elements recommended to conduct a case study in social sciences, such as careful selection of cases and in-depth elaboration thereof, and preparation of a research protocol. On the other hand, due to the broad subjects (potential cases and phenomena) of interest in administrative science, it seems that the case study research model is in the continuous process of development. In addition to the detection of new relevant variables and relations in the field, the application of a case study also contributes to mutual learning among scientists on this research approach and its further development.
This innovative study uses Machine Learning algorithms to analyse the impact of good governance principles on the performance of Moroccan public organizations. The results show that transparency and accountability as essential pillars of governance are directly correlated with substantial improvements in the efficiency and quality of public services, with extremely low p-values underlining their importance. Leadership, employee motivation, and sustainable development also appear to be important levers, although their impact is often more diffuse. Predictive models, such as XGBoost and CNN, can extract complex relationships between these practices and organizational performance, providing decision-makers with robust tools for optimizing public reforms. In other words, the use of Machine Learning in public management is proving to be a major breakthrough, enabling a more enlightened governance, focused on transparency, accountability, and innovation.
Implementing good governance is essential for strengthening public trust, particularly in the management of public funds. In Indonesia, increasing cases of village fund misuse have raised concerns about the effectiveness of governance at the village level. While previous studies have examined accountability in village fund management, limited attention has been given to its impact on public trust and the mediating role of perceived corruption. This study addresses this gap by examining accountability and community participation as key dimensions of good governance and their effects on public trust, with perceived corruption as a mediating variable. The research focuses on 27 villages in Denpasar, Bali Province. Using survey data and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), the findings reveal contrasting effects: accountability shows a negative relationship with public trust, while community participation has a positive effect. Perceived corruption emerges as a crucial mediating factor, highlighting potentially symbolic rather than substantive governance practices.
This paper examines the integration of system theory and cybernetics into legal regulation, highlighting the importance of intangible assets, particularly institutions, in a country’s wealth and stability. Emphasising the rule of law, it argues that effective public reforms must prioritise institutional functionality. By applying critical systems thinking, the paper suggests that regulation should be adaptive, incorporating feedback loops, dynamic systems modelling, and stakeholder engagement to address complex societal issues. It discusses the need for a holistic approach to legal systems, viewing them as interconnected entities influenced by various factors. The paper introduces the approach to systemic regulation that uses principles of systems theory, such as holism, interconnectedness, and dynamic equilibrium, to create more robust and adaptable legal frameworks. The paper concludes that systemic regulation can enhance the effectiveness of public institutions, ensuring they can navigate and respond to complex challenges, thereby fostering better governance and societal well-being.
U ovom radu identificiraju se i analiziraju neizražena načela upravnog procesnog prava. Riječ je o načelima koja nisu izričito propisima izražena, međutim ona proizlaze iz drugih izraženih pravnih normi. Kod uspostavljanja teorijskog i metodološkog okvira autor polazi od Guastinijeva shvaćanja pravnih načela. Neizražena se načela konstruiraju upotrebom različitih argumentacijskih pravila i pravila tumačenja, polazeći od cilja pojedinog pravnog pravila iz kojeg se izvodi neizraženo načelo, ali i same svrhe konstruiranog načela. Autor naglašava važnost učenja o neizraženim načelima s obzirom na to da i ona, iako nisu izražena, stvaraju pravne učinke. Neka od načela koja se istražuju i analiziraju jesu načelo izjašnjavanja stranke u upravnom postupku, načelo materijalne istine u upravnom sporu i načelo zabrane ekscesivnoga pravnog formalizma.
This study examines the perceived legitimacy of the Office of Population and Civil Registration (OPCR) in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia, with a focus on in-migrants’ experiences. Using McLoughlin’s micro-legitimacy framework, the research explores the relational and normative dimensions of legitimacy in public service delivery, specifically for migration-related services. The findings show that in-migrants view the OPCR’s legitimacy as moderate, with notable gaps in communication, transparency, and inclusivity. Key factors influencing legitimacy include service characteristics, impartiality, responsiveness, and accountability, while communication clarity and trust remain significant concerns. The study recommends enhancing communication strategies, providing clearer information, and introducing feedback mechanisms to improve service quality and accountability. It also emphasizes the need for the OPCR to prioritize transparency and inclusivity in its services. The research contributes to the understanding of public service legitimacy, offering valuable insights for policy improvements and broader applications in migration and public administration studies.
Bihevioralna javna uprava razvija se kao interdisciplinarno područje koje, oslanjajući se na bihevioralnu ekonomiju, socijalnu psihologiju i organizacijske znanosti, istražuje utjecaj kognitivnih obrazaca, motivacije i percepcija na ponašanje javnih službenika i građana. Rad sustavno prikazuje razvoj i ključne koncepte ovog pristupa te analizira njegov doprinos tradicionalnim paradigmama javne uprave u područjima transparentnosti, birokratizma, reprezentativnosti i participacije. Posebna se pozornost posvećuje otvorenim problemima, poput metodoloških izazova, etičkih dvojbi i pitanja izvornosti. Zaključno se naglašava važnost daljnje integracije bihevioralnih uvida u teoriju i praksu javne uprave, uz istodobno kritičko propitivanje njihovih ograničenja. Rad tako doprinosi razumijevanju potencijala i granica ovoga rastućeg istraživačkog područja.
This paper aims to explore how Electronic Records Management Systems (ERMS) can strengthen accountability in schools. We have three main objectives: analysing the role of ERMS in supporting school accountability, measuring the quality of ERMS based on user responses, and assessing the impact of ERMS use on archivist performance. Data were collected from 40 ERMS users and observations of 20 archivists. The results showed that ERMS has excellent quality in terms of reliability, information quality, service, objectivity, user satisfaction, and net benefits. Analysis of document availability based on eight national education standards revealed a high level of document availability and completeness, which supports school accountability. ERMS has been shown to improve the efficiency and accuracy of archivists’ work, where the majority of archivists are able to find documents in less than a minute. The study concluded that ERMS are a very valuable tool in supporting user tasks, strengthening accountability, and transparency in education management. The study also recommends that schools continue to adopt and optimize the use of ERMS to improve document management and accountability. Continuous training for archivists is needed so that they can utilize these systems optimally. In addition, periodic evaluation of system performance and user satisfaction is needed to identify areas for improvement. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term impact of ERMS use on school academic and operational performance, as well as the integration of these systems with other educational technologies
This article offers an in-depth analysis of the military police systems in various countries, including the gendarmerie, and provides concrete proposals for reforming the Ukrainian system of military legislation and order. The study underscores the urgent need to strengthen the service’s role in maintaining law and order within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, particularly given its current limitations in conducting criminal investigations and engaging in operational activities. At present, when criminal offenses are identified, military personnel are compelled to hand over cases to civilian law enforcement bodies such as the main police institution or the State Bureau of Investigation. This has not only caused procedural delays but also limits the military legislation and order system’s ability to ensure effective oversight and discipline within the military ranks. By drawing on the experiences of military police structures in countries such as the United States, Spain, France, and Turkey, the article demonstrates the advantages of granting military police forces greater investigative powers and specialised training to handle military-specific offenses. The analysis highlights how these international models combine military and civilian law enforcement techniques to maintain discipline and legal order. The article proposes a series of reforms aimed at empowering Ukraine’s system of military legislation and order, including granting it the authority to conduct independent investigations, engage in operational intelligence activities, and implement preventive measures. These reforms were intended to enhance the service’s capacity to maintain discipline, prevent offenses, and improve the overall effectiveness of law enforcement within Ukraine’s armed forces.
This article provides a thorough analysis of the current state and challenges related to the professional development of municipal employees in the Republic of Armenia. The study carefully examines the impact of existing administrative-territorial structures, legislative frameworks and the dynamics of local governance on the competencies of municipal employees. Through the use of statistical data and comparative analysis, the authors identify an urgent need for improved training programmes, the implementation of a comprehensive competency matrix, and a shift towards a more customer-oriented approach to municipal services. Key findings from the research highlight the importance of aligning training and development initiatives with the real needs of local government. The introduction of a competency matrix serves as a strategic tool for identifying skills gaps and structuring targeted training interventions. Furthermore, the study addresses issues of gender imbalance within local government roles, advocating for equitable representation and empowerment of women in local governance. The article also explores the positive impact of international cooperation and exchange, which can provide valuable insights and best practices for local governance reform in Armenia. Engagement with international programmes and the adoption of innovative governance models are highlighted as crucial steps towards more efficient, transparent and responsive local government. Overall, the research makes a compelling case for systemic reform of local government training and development in Armenia. By focusing on skills enhancement, gender equality and international cooperation, the article contributes valuable perspectives to the discourse on local governance reform, with implications beyond the Armenian context.
Predmet rada jest znanstvena djelatnost profesora upravnog prava Ive Krbeka od početka njegova znanstvenog rada početkom 1920-ih pa sve do kraja njegove znanstvene karijere 1960-ih godina u dijelu koji se odnosio na prava građana. Cilj je rada utvrditi osnovne postavke Krbekove doktrine o pravima građana te utvrditi eventualne promjene i prilagodbe stavova tijekom četrdesetogodišnje znanstvene karijere. Analiza Krbekova rada podijeljena je u tri vremenska sklopa: međuratno razdoblje, djelatnost tijekom Drugoga svjetskog rata i djelatnost nakon Drugoga svjetskog rata. U sklopu međuratnog razdoblja kao posebno važne analizirane su knjige o upravnom pravu iz 1929. i 1932. godine, knjiga o diskrecijskoj ocjeni iz 1937. godine te knjiga o samoupravama iz 1939. godine. U analizi djelatnosti tijekom Drugoga svjetskog rata bitnim za analizu pokazao se materijal o narodnooslobodilačkim odborima. Krbekova znanstvena djelatnost u području prava građana u razdoblju nakon Drugoga svjetskog rata analizirana je na temelju članka o pravima građana iz 1948. godine te poglavlja u knjigama o upravnom pravu koje je Krbek napisao tijekom pedesetih i početkom šezdesetih godina dvadesetog stoljeća. Autor je u radu utvrdio da je tijekom druge polovine 1930-ih godina Ivo Krbek napustio liberalnu doktrinu u pogledu prava građana, da je relativizirao koncepciju subjektivnih prava te da je prihvatio ideju o objektivnoj zakonitosti kao glavnoj svrsi pravnog poretka. Autor ukazuje na činjenicu da je Krbek već tad naglašavao važnost većeg uzimanja u obzir općih društvenih interesa nasuprot individualnih prava i interesa građana. Autor je u radu pokazao da je Krbek ove pozicije dodatno radikalizirao nakon Drugoga svjetskog rata kad je sukladno socijalističkim shvaćanjima prava građana učinio ovisnim o dužnostima te o općedruštvenim interesima socijalističke zajednice.
