Globalization or glocalization - global trends, local effects of territorial reforms

Marian Kachniarz,T Kliestik

doi:10.1051/shsconf/20219207030

Abstract

Research background:The globalization processes are not only of an economic and cultural nature - but they also unify trends in the organization and management of administration, including at the local level. The idea of economization of administration was promoted in the broad stream of reforms described as New Public Management. It was often expressed as a postulate of the territorial reorganization of local governments. The reforms of these structures, motivated by the economies of scale, were to lead to the elimination of their allegedly too fragmented nature.Purpose of the article:The questions about the global scale and effectiveness of these reforms resulted in the objectives of the study, which were formulated as follows:- identification of the scope and scale of territorial reforms and assessment of their global character;- evaluation of the real impact of these reforms in terms of economies of scale.Methods:Methodologically, the work is the critical meta-analysis of the research results of consolidation reforms from many countries of the world.Findings & Value added: The results lead to the conclusion that consolidation is a global trend. However, they do not unequivocally confirm the successes in achieving economies of scale in the provision of public services. The added value of this research is to draw attention to the fact that uncritical implementation of global trends does not automatically bring the assumed effects. It is necessary to apply in practice glocalization, i.e. critical adaptation of global solutions to local institutional conditions.

Highlights

Institutional models of functioning of territorial public administration were developed in individual countries or regions according to individual social and political conditions and in specific historical contexts
With this amount of research, it can be expected that the effects of consolidation and increase in the scale of operations of entities will be very well recognized
Focusing on the economy of scale, expressed in economic values, these studies do not lead us to consistent conclusions - scientists are far from unanimous in this respect

Summary

Introduction

Institutional models of functioning of territorial public administration were developed in individual countries or regions according to individual social and political conditions and in specific historical contexts. A municipality in different countries does not mean the same thing, there are noticeable efforts to unify its functioning in Europe and globally. They consist of defining universal principles and standards of functioning and implementing reforms in the organization and management of local administration. The idea of administration economization was promoted in the broad stream of reforms called New Public Management (NPM). It gained the title of a global trend of local administration reforms [2]

Methods

Results

Conclusion