REGIONAL ASPECTS OF SELF-REGULATION IN PUBLIC UTILITIES SECTOR (BASED ON THE SURVEY OF EXPERT OPINION)

Abstract

‘Regional Aspects of Self-Regulation in Public Utilities Sector (Based on the Survey of Expert Opinion)’ deals with management of present-day housing and utilities sector. It is the first study to look at the introduction of a system of regional management in the public utilities sector of the Astrakhan Region which is taken as an example. The article is based on a survey of expert opinion the aim of which was to record the views of professionals on the concept of self-regulation in the regional housing and utilities sector. The article is important as it provides practical recommendations on the introduction of self-regulation in housing and utilities sector derived from the data acquired in the survey. It could be of use to both regional authorities and representatives of management companies and condominiums. The following conclusions were derived from the survey: creating regional self-regulation organizations could help to improve the quality of public utility services due to the development of competitive environment; increasing the financial responsibility of managing companies would improve their relationship with energy resources suppliers (heating, water supply, electricity). The creation of a mechanism that would allow public and professional debates on normative legal acts regarding housing and public utilities sector would improve communications within the sector. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12731/2218-7405-2013-8-45