Independent financial control over the activities of public sector organizations is an integral part of effective public administration. For the first time, the article presents a comprehensive assessment of violations identified by the control and accounting authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation that are part of the Volga Federal District for the period from 2020 to 2023. The results of the study show that there is an increase in the number of violations, while the amount of violations is decreasing. A qualitative analysis of violations revealed a steady trend towards an increase in the share of errors in the formation and execution of the budget. In addition, there are violations of accounting, reporting and reporting, management and disposal of state (municipal) property, state (municipal) procurement, and inefficient use of budget funds. In order to confirm the conclusions obtained during the analysis of the reports of the control and accounting bodies, expert interviews were conducted among representatives of both the professional and academic environment. In the context of the study, it was possible to formulate the main problems and recommendations for organizations at the macro, meso and micro levels. Among the problems, there is a lack of information on the share of eliminated violations and the amount of funds returned to the budget for some audited organizations, as well as difficulties in comparing a number of violations. At the same time, the results of the analysis will make it possible to conduct analytics on the identified violations at the macro level, develop a policy for further regulation of "risk zones", at the meso level - will provide an opportunity to apply the best practices of the activities of external state financial control bodies, will strengthen the level of regional control over high-risk areas, at the micro level - identify key areas for internal control and audit activities.
The Academic Potential Test (APT) is a crucial instrument used in the selection process of Indonesian Civil Servant Candidates (CSC), which measures the cognitive potential of prospective employees. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of items in the Academic Potential Test for Indonesian Civil Servant Candidates using the Item Response Theory (IRT) approach with dichotomous scoring, in order to improve the quality and validity of the test. The research method applied was descriptive quantitative, involving 330 participants in the APT CSC simulation training as research samples. Data analysis was conducted using three logistic models in IRT, namely one parameter (1-PL), two parameters (2-PL), and three parameters (3-PL). The results revealed that the 1-PL model is the most suitable model (fit) for estimating item parameters as well as the difficulty level of APT CSC questions in dichotomous data. Analysis of the item parameters showed that overall, the items in the APT CSC met the criteria of “good” based on the standard level of difficulty. Based on these findings, the study concluded that the 1-PL model can be used as a valid and reliable tool in estimating the difficulty level of APT CSC question items. In addition, the results of this study provide a basis for efforts to improve and develop the APT CSC in the future.
This study examines approaches to managing the transformation of household social practices in order to reduce their carbon footprint. It addresses the ineffi ciency of the current policy focusing on individual behavior while ignoring col-lective, materially embedded routines as a key emissions source. The aim is to identify eff ective state policy mechanisms using socio-technical and social practice theories. Three hypotheses are tested: 1) managing collective practices is more eff ective than targeting individuals; 2) changing practices as systems requires overcoming socio-technical regime inertia; 3) elements of practices (materials, competences, meanings) serve as entry points for management. The methodology involves theoretical analysis, literature review, examination of Russian strategic documents, and an in-depth case study of & laquo;Tyumen Ecological Association & raquo;. Data from academic publications, legal acts, and company materials were processed via thematic analysis and conceptual-ization. The study reveals that the traditional hierarchical model of Russian climate policy neglects the population as an active actor. Transforming practices requires syn-chronous interventions targeting infrastructure, skills, and cultural meanings. The case study shows that fragmented interventions (e.g., & laquo;Eco-Houses & raquo;) fail without integra-tion into core operations. As a result of the study, specifi c mechanisms of state inter-vention for each element of practice were systematized, and an integrative approach was developed, combining the three-element model with the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP). Practical signifi cance lies in recommendations for the authorities to shift thefocus to collective practices, implement integrated intervention packages, and establish public participation institutions
The national project "Data Economics and Digital Transformation of the State" introduces an economic dimension in information policy. Digital transformation of public authorities (PA), economy and social sphere was declared a national goal, the achievement of which requires the formation of the data market and their involvement in economic activities. The availability of government data for the economy is a key element in the data market, which is based on the Open Data System (OD). The purpose of the study is to explore the current state and transformations of the Russian OD from the perspective of data economics. The international comparison of OD development was carried out, the categories of OD users and the contribution to socio-economic development were identified, the landscape of OD in Russia was analyzed, and the conditions under which the economic potential of OD can be realized in business models and processes were found. The findings show that government data as OD is directly used in: 1) PA to optimize the cost of information support; 2) science and education for academic purposes; 3) the economy to create added value based on OD. The Russian OD system is characterized by decentralization, uneven participation of PA in the contributing into the OD system filling, the heterogeneous quality and structure of datasets. The scientific novelty consists in substantiating the economic measurement in assessing the effectiveness of OD, thus complementing the theory of PA in terms of information support. The formulated conditions for the application of OD have practical significance in analyzing the economic potential of OD.
Innovation has become a priority domain of public governance because of its substantial contribution to national competitiveness. However, the literature still pro-vides limited guidance on the appropriate scope and rational use of innovation policy instru-ments under diff erent governance arrangements. This article examines the relationship be-tween state innovation policy models, their corresponding policy instruments, and public ad-ministration paradigms. Drawing on a comparative historical analysis and examples o0066 the research and development management in the aviation industry, the study shows that specifi c innovation policy models and the instruments associated with them have historically been linked to particular governance paradigms, while in contemporary sectoral practice they coexist in the form of layering and hybridization. The article develops an analytical framework that operationalizes the relationship between public governance paradigms, in-novation models, and the corresponding repertoire of state innovation policy instruments. Evidence from the aviation sector demonstrates that instruments associated with diff erent paradigms are not replaced in a linear sequence but are combined within hybrid policy con-fi gurations. The fi ndings support the interpretation of the state as a multi-paradigmatic actor in the governance of innovation. The proposed framework may serve both as an analytical tool for assessing existing policy mixes and as a practical guide for designing more coherent combinations of policy instruments in strategic high-technology sectors.
In Russian society, a dissonance between the declared values of condemning corruption and tolerating it in addressing life situations is typical, manifested in behavioral practices. This article examines the behavioral imitative corrupt practices among citizens and the business community when faced with complex and unclear rules when interacting with government agencies: people are prone to imitate corrupt behavior when they observe it in their immediate environment. The central question of this study is what causes the spread of imitative corrupt practices and the shortcomings of government regulation that provide the basis for such practices. In examining this issue, the authors focus on the clarity of regulatory rules and procedures, exploring the phenomenon of clarity from the perspective of an activity-based approach. This approach interprets clarity not as the ability to reproduce acquired information (knowledge), but as the clarity of the requirements contained in rules and procedures – a clarity that can ensure actions that exclude corrupt behavior (compliance with behavioral requirements, the transition from knowledge to competences). In a situation where corrupt behavior is perceived in the public consciousness as an inevitable, forced "defense" against the complexity and ambiguity of government rules and procedures, can improving the clarity of government regulation minimize the risks of "contagion" by corruption (the reproduction of corrupt behavior)? The search for recipes for minimizing the behavioral risks of "corruption infection" in the literature is associated primarily with the simplification of administrative rules and procedures, openness, and transparency of public administration. However, simplicity, openness, and transparency do not necessarily mean that rules and procedures are understandable to clients. The study analyzes the factor of clarity of government regulation as a resource for reducing the risks of the spread of imitative corrupt practices among citizens and businesses when interacting with government agencies. Using the results of a questionnaire survey conducted between 2023 and 2025 among citizens (n = 600 annually) and the business community (n = 400 annually), the authors diagnose: a) the presence of established imitative corrupt practices in both groups of respondents; b) the problem of the business community's distrust in constructive dialogue with the authorities; the persistence of the attitude that the authorities are more likely to punish than to explain and help; c) a demand for increased clarity of government regulation. This article presents social practices for ensuring the clarity of government regulation across three entities: government agencies; state bodies (Business Ombudsmen); and non-governmental non-profit organizations (Unions of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry). Examples of practices that enhance the clarity of government regulation in everyday communications between business and government are described. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of integrating proposed social practices to ensure the clarity of state regulation into the overall systemic work on the prevention of corrupt behavior.
The article is devoted to the systematization of approaches to state support of creative industries in Russia and abroad. The authors explore which support formats are most appropriate for various types of creative activities, based on their specific characteristics at different stages of value creation: product creation, promotion, and distribution. The purpose of this article is to systematize the characteristics of creative industries that determine the need for, and features of government support for organizations and entre-preneurs in these sectors. The paper presents an original classifi cation table that highlights the key characteristics of creative products (such as the level of technological innovation, the features of the equipment used, the level of competition, the complexity of presentation and logistical costs) and determines how these characteristics aff ect the choice of adequate support measures. The analysis demonstrates that universal support measures applied to all creative industries as a single sector are often ineffective due to fundamental differences in their economic nature. Instead, the authors argue for a differentiated approach, where-by financial instruments (grants, subsidies, tax incentives) and non-financial instruments (property support, infrastructure development, export assistance) are targeted according to specific market failures and structural characteristics inherent to each industry.
. The article analyzes the introduction of the national messenger Max into the system of electronic interaction between citizens and the state in the Russian Federation. Federal Law No. 156 of June 24, 2025 established the legal framework for integrating the messenger into the unified ecosystem of government digital services, including the Unified Identification and Authentication System (ESIA), the Unified Public Services Portal (EPGU), and the GosKlyuch document signing service. However, the implementation of this initiative faces a number of challenges: low digital trust among citizens, user resistance to the mandatory nature of the transition, unresolved cybersecurity issues, and a significant gap between the number of app installations and actual usage.The research objectives include analysis of the regulatory framework, examination ofin-ternational experience in deploying national messengers (China, South Korea, CIS countries, and others), assessment of the current state of Max deployment, and formulation of recommendations for improving its effi ciency and competitiveness. Based on the analysis of regulatory acts, academic publications, sociological survey data, and available expert assessments, the study proves that the strategy of deploying Max through integration with government services, unlike organic growth driven by user demand (as in the case of WeChat), is associated with risks of the messenger being perceived solely as a tool for accessing public services. Recommendations have been formulated to increase user engagement, including changes to the marketing strategy, integration of services for small and medium-sized businesses, the establishment of institutional mechanisms to ensure transparency, and the organization of regular public security audits involving independent specialists and the academic community.
The use of big data in tax administration is transitioning from the implementation of individual digital technologies to the stage of high-quality analytics using algorithms for the automatic analysis of large volumes of information from various sources, which causes a number of system challenges. The purpose of the study is to determine and analyze the state of tax administration transformation carried out through the adoption and utilization of digital tools, primarily big data technologies. For this reason, a chronology of the development of digital services, including those related to the use of big data technologies, was conducted, and the results of the audit work of tax authorities over the past decade were reviewed and evaluated. It was found that the accumulation of big data by tax authorities and the subsequent use of big data transforms tax control towards targeted and focused audits, as confirmed by open data. Based on theoretical provisions and practical examples, a conclusion has been drawn about the divergent impact of big data technologies on the stability of the state's fiscal function.
This article examines national higher education monitoring systems in the United States, European countries, China, and the Russian Federation as instruments of public administration, rather than neutral mechanisms of statistical data collection. The study addresses the research problem of how monitoring frameworks are embedded in different models of state governance and how they inform regulatory, funding, and accountability decisions in higher education policy. The analysis employs a comparative institutional approach drawing on regulatory documents, offi cial statistical systems, and national evaluation mechanisms. The article proposes an analytical classification of state monitoring systems, grounded in dominant models of public administration-from decentralized and market-oriented governance to centralized and plan-hierarchical systems-as well as in country-specific strategic priorities for higher education development. The findings demonstrate that monitoring systems perform a regulatory and indicative functions by shaping university managerial incentives through funding formulas, performance thresholds, and transparency regimes. The study shows that the universalization of performance indicators without consideration of institutional, territorial, and governance contexts reduces the analytical value of monitoring and may distort policy outcomes. The article argues that the development of differentiated monitoring models aligned with university missions and national governance frameworks represents a more effective direction for higher education policy and contributes to the broader literature on data-driven governance in the public sector.
The article presents the analysis of public policy mechanisms for regulating the electronic cigarette market, as used in developed countries. The paper examines foreign experiences of managerial decisions aimed at reducing the prevalence of electronic cigarettes among populations in different countries (including administrative, economic, informational and educational mechanisms); their costs and benefits are analyzed, and the most effective tools are identified. The article discusses the possibilities of applying international experience within the context of Russian practices for state regulation of the electronic cigarette market and formulates recommendations for improving state policy measures regulating the functioning of the electronic cigarette market in Russia.
The improvement of state control (supervision) in terms of reducing the administrative burden on businesses associated with its implementation and simplifying business operations and development in recent years has been associated with the adoption of a risk-based approach, implying that the intensity of state control (supervision) measures at enterprises (controlled entities) depends on the level of risks they create and the potential negative consequences of possible violations of mandatory requirements. At the same time, according to legislation, the goal of state control (supervision), remains the reduction of risks of harm caused by these entities and damage to legally protected assets. This article presents the results of an analysis of the outcomes from the annual sociological survey of private business representatives conducted by RANEPA from 2017 to 2025 under the supervision and with the participation of the authors. The survey aimed to identify how businesses assess the effectiveness of state control, specifically the impact of state control (supervision) on the activities of enterprises in various risk categories, as well as the dynamics of these assessments. The purpose of the study (in this section) is to test the hypothesis of a positive impact of state control (supervision) on enterprise operations in response to improvement measures related to the adoption of a risk-based approach. According to the research results, private businesses have generally become more receptive to the impact of state control (supervision) on their enterprises. However, this primarily applies to enterprises in lower risk categories. High-risk enterprises experience more diffi culties with state control (supervision). They incur higher costs, are less informed about mandatory requirements, and more often report diffi culties in complying with them, as well as their excessiveness. At the same time, they more often note the impact of state control on their enterprises' operations in terms of reducing the risk of harm to legally protected assets, which is the primary goal of state control and supervision. The survey results generally confirm the advisability of continuing the current policy of improving state control (supervision). However, they indicate the need for special attention, given the established risk category, to enhancing the impact of regulatory and supervisory measures on enterprises in reducing risks of harm to legally protected values arising from their activities. Recommendations for possible adjustments to the improvement policy are proposed.
The orientation of civil servants towards public ministry as a semantic regulator of their activities determines their focus on the interests of the state and society when making professional decisions, as well as the high quality of their performance of offi cial duties. Among the factors influencing the level of orientation of civil servants towards public service, the factor of informational and psychological influence occupies a special place. However, its influence on the orientation of civil servants towards public service has not been sufficiently studied. The purpose of the current research is to identify the relationship between the level of public service orientation of civil servants and their perception of the negative media impact. The study surveyed government civil servants (n=1,608) through a specially developed questionnaire & laquo;The impact of the information environment on the work of a civil servant & raquo;. The findings demonstrated that in the subjective assessments of respondents, the focus on public ministry occupies a & laquo;middle & raquo; balanced position in the overall structure of personality orientation and aligns both with basic values of personality (material well-being, family, health, and social stability) and the values of self-realization (self-development, existential value, social status, and recognition). A significant correlation has been identified between the orientation of civil servants towards public service and their perception of negative reports about the activities of civil servants in various media and negative feedback from citizens who contact government and administrative bodies. It has also been established that the influence of negative statements about public service and public servants in the media decreases as the level of public service orientation among public servants increases. In conclusion, a set of measures is proposed aimed at preventing negative information and psychological effects on civil servants and reducing the destructive consequences of these effects.
The relevance of the study is determined by the demand for strengthening the municipal service, developing its human resources potential and motivating municipal employees to achieve high quality performance. The purpose of the research is to describe the motivational attitudes of municipal servants and identify the influence of the specifics of their work on the formation of motivational deficiencies. The study employed a questionnaire survey of municipal employees (N = 3066) as a key research method. A detailed analysis of the respondents' answers illustrates their satisfaction primarily with those aspects of work that are enshrined in the public consciousness as socially approved attributes of the municipal service. An asymmetry in job satisfaction assessments was revealed, such as maximization of social aspects and minimization of the material component of the work of a municipal employee, as well as career prospects. The hypothesis of the dominant role of public service values and meanings in motivating municipal personnel has been confirmed. At the same time, an inversion of the professional attitudes of municipal employees when interacting with residents has been established. Negative connotations are noted in perceptions of the population's behavioral models (conflict, civic passivity, distrust, etc.). The scientific novelty of the study is represented by the systematization and description of the sources of motivational deficiencies among municipal servants. These include substantive aspects of work (low creative component of work, high level of routine), administrative barriers (excessive workload and multitasking, high demands on work), and legal-regulatory constraints (threats to personal safety due to risks of criminal and administrative liability). The practical significance of the obtained results lies in the potential to develop measures for enhancing the effectiveness of motivation systems in municipal authorities based on these findings.
The Republic of Maldives is a small island nation with more than 1120 small islands, divided into 20 groups of islands known as Atolls. The atolls are decentralised and governed by an elected council. The current study explores the community engagement practices of councillors in the Maldives. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty councillors. The councillors were selected from city, atoll and island councils, using a purposive sampling technique, to explore their current community engagement practices, identify challenges and gather recommendations for improvement. The findings reveal that most councillors engage in traditional methods, such as public meetings, community workshops and social media. Nevertheless, challenges such as low public participation, differences in political views, resource constraints and internal leadership issues hinder effective engagement with the community members. Hence, councillors recommend diversifying engagement strategies, implementing leadership training, allocating more resources, fostering trust and tailoring community engagement practices suitable for the specific community. Thus, the study emphasises the need for innovative and inclusive community engagement practices to improve governance and collaboration between the councillors and the community. Future studies can adopt a quantitative approach to find out the factors that affect community participation from the perspective of the community members.
Corruption remains a significant challenge in Indonesia, as it undermines public trust and hampers effective governance. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of public administration in combating corruption, focusing on transparency, accountability, collaborative governance, and anti-corruption culture. Using a qualitative approach and case study methodology, insights from 22 key experts and secondary data were synthesised to identify systemic challenges and propose solutions. The findings reveal that complex bureaucratic structures, weak accountability mechanisms, and limited community involvement perpetuate corruption. This study highlights the transformative potential of e-government systems, citizen participation, and robust oversight in reducing corruption. An anti-corruption model integrating four theoretical frameworks-Public Administration, Accountability, Collaborative Governance, and Corruption-is proposed to promote transparency, foster integrity, and strengthen institutional capacity. The model emphasises technology adoption, community involvement, and ethical reform to build a sustainable anti-corruption culture. Recommendations include enhancing the independence of supervisory bodies, increasing public access to information, and fostering stakeholder collaboration to ensure clean and effective governance. While this study provides valuable insights, its qualitative nature limits its generalis ability, and further research incorporating quantitative approaches is recommended.
The centralised policy of Indonesian local government governance in waste management by applying strict laws and regulations has led to failure. This is evidenced by the increasing trend in landfill waste from year to year. There is a need for improvements and changes to local government policies in governance through the involvement of the private sector and the community. The purpose of this study is to explore the changes in the early stages of two collaboration initiatives: one relying on the traditional collaboration model centred on local government, and the other using a collaboration model involving both the private sector and the community in the city of Pekanbaru. A case study approach employing qualitative methods is used to elucidate changes in local government governance policies in sustainable waste management. Data were collected through interviews, document reviews, and websites content analysis. Data analysis was conducted to examine the roles of the local government, private sector, and community as well as content analysis to establish connections between forms of collaborative governance. The findings propose a conceptual model and suggest a novel role for local governments as facilitators of alliances and coordinators of cooperation platforms.
The Republic of Maldives is a small island nation with more than 1120 small islands, divided into 20 groups of islands known as Atolls. The atolls are decentralised and governed by an elected council. The current study explores the community engagement practices of councillors in the Maldives. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty councillors. The councillors were selected from city, atoll and island councils, using a purposive sampling technique, to explore their current community engagement practices, identify challenges and gather recommendations for improvement. The findings reveal that most councillors engage in traditional methods, such as public meetings, community workshops and social media. Nevertheless, challenges such as low public participation, differences in political views, resource constraints and internal leadership issues hinder effective engagement with the community members. Hence, councillors recommend diversifying engagement strategies, implementing leadership training, allocating more resources, fostering trust and tailoring community engagement practices suitable for the specific community. Thus, the study emphasises the need for innovative and inclusive community engagement practices to improve governance and collaboration between the councillors and the community. Future studies can adopt a quantitative approach to find out the factors that affect community participation from the perspective of the community members.
This study aims to explore the use of social media with good governance in the practice of dialogic accounting. A set of data was collected through surveys and focus group discussions conducted with respondents from academia and the general public. The research findings demonstrate that good governance has a direct positive effect on dialogic accounting; however, the moderating effect of social media cannot be proven. These findings show that although good governance is important for dialogic accounting, the public is still reluctant to use social media to voice their complaints for fear of being accused of defaming the government. Therefore, the government needs to educate the public on the responsible use of social media and encourage public participation through the use of secure digital platforms.
This study explored the barriers to digital transformation in public institutions, focusing on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State, Nigeria. This study aims to discover the key challenges hampering the adoption of digital systems in managing traffi c and ensuring road safety. This study, therefore, draws on a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data, to explore the impact of such variables as inadequate funding, lack of strategic vision, staff resistance, and public noncompliance with traffi c regulations. In the quantitative analysis, senior FRSC staff were surveyed on the significant obstacles to digital adoption. In-depth interviews provided qualitative insights into the challenges that needed to be understood contextually, along with possible remedies. Findings show barriers to effective digital transformation, unsatisfactory budget allocation, the fear of job loss, and a need for a clear strategic way forward. However, the study also identifies how to overcome these challenges, such as poor infrastructure, limited digital skills, policy gaps, inadequate funding, and cybersecurity risks. The study's practical implications reveal that policy-and leadership-level attention to the financing, cybersecurity, and public awareness is indispensable to making digital transformation a complete reality. The research adds to the growing literature on digital transformation within public sector institutions. Digital transformation adoption offers actionable recommendations for enhancing service delivery and road safety.
