Strategic Planning Practices Research Articles

Systemic Evaluation of the Threats to the Strategy of Technological Development of Russia

The article is devoted to the study of factors that inhibit the creation of knowledge and technologies, as well as usage and diffusion in the Russian economy and that pose the threats to the technological development of the country. The study is based on the system economic theory methodology, which involve system analysis methods studying the economy and society as an integrated socio-economic system in its unity and mutual dependence of key subsystems. This approach is aimed to receive evaluation reflecting the real static and dynamic picture of all sectors that contribute to the creation of innovation: production, monetary systems, institutional environment, science, education and society. The risk zones are depicted in the diagram of the strategic planning and governance inherent Russian practice. From a systemic point of view, the conclusions are that the objective system evaluation should be in the basis of the strategy. Inadequate quality of planning, ignoring system linkages and interactions in decision-making, use of incorrect data as well as other defective governance actions pose a significant threat to the development of the Russian Federation. The directions for further research in order to reduce the risks of technological development strategy are proposed in the paper. The proposals concern improvement in both evaluation methods and the metrics of the socio-economic system characteristics, which can give the truth picture of the system, and the concept of strategizing changes in non-stationary economy.The author declare no conflict of interest.

Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) Practices in Health Care Sectors of Rwanda

Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) is an area of great value in information technology as concerns and interests to Information Systems. SISP has consistently been ranked the top issue for IS executive since 1970’s in developed and non-developed countries.Studies show that Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP)can help the manager to design information systems, develop IS strategy and distribute resources for IS strategy. However, in Rwanda ,the use of SISP in healthcare sectors  is still limited and under-researched. The key goal of this research is to find out the positive impact and the gain for putting into practice the SISP to Developing countries, particularly Rwanda Health sector. The research is aimed at provingthe limitations of the existing Information Systems within the healthcare sector of Rwanda.Furthermore, Hybrid SWOT approach will be used to give solutions to the challenges faced in the implementation of SSIP for health sectors in Rwanda.

National Medication Utilization Evaluation Program in Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences,2019,8,3,156-157.DOI:10.5530/ijpcs.2019.8.25Published:September 2019Type:Review ArticleAuthors:Yousef Ahmed Alomi, and Abeer Hussin Almasoudi Author(s) affiliations:Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, The Former General Manager of General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care and Head, National Clinical pharmacy, and Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacy R & D Administration, MOH, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Abeer Hussin Almasoudi, Director, Administration of Research and Studies, Ministry of Health, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Abstract:The national Medication Utilization Evaluation Program at the Ministry of health in Saudi Arabia with complimentary of physician order techniques is new system founded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The programming part of pharmacy strategic planning and national pharmacy practice at health care services at the Ministry of health. The Medication Utilization Evaluation program started with evidence-based medicine guidelines. The new project of Medication Utilization Evaluation physician order was one the outcome of the program. The program steps development through central committee by Pharmacy department at the most prominent hospital crossover regions in Saudi Arabia. The project is complementary of pharmaceutical concept and alerting system of misuse of medications and subsequences medication-related problems and avoids the unnecessary economic burden on the healthcare system. The new national Medication Utilization Evaluation project is new in Saudi Arabia, Gulf, and Middle East counties. Keywords:Evaluation, Medication, Ministry of Health, Ministry of health in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia, UtilizationView:PDF (1.57 MB) PDFClick here to download the PDF file. Images National Medication Utilization Evaluation Program in Saudi Arabia

Strategic Planning in the Russian Federation: Theory, Practice, Methodology

After adopting the federal law ‘About Strategic Planning in the Russian Federation’ strategic planning in the country was investigated. Methodological foundation of setting goals, fixing horizons of strategic planning was shaped by works of overseas and home experts in the field of institutional construction, system -genetics, structural analysis, quantitative modeling. The authors researched ideas about national development put forward by followers of liberal logics of step-by-step social engineering and representatives of historicism doctrine of theological planning of public development and showed possibilities of their combination. Disadvantages in public spheres of state activities dealing with forecasting, planning, programming and resource supply for the development, which are understood as elements of strategic planning were analyzed. The authors studied objective contradictions and risks in home practice of strategic planning and substantiated the necessity to upgrade institute of state programs in the Russian Federation. They rejected the dominance of once-only assignments and decisions in favour of documents of strategic planning. The method of finding optimum values for income distribution of the consolidated budget of the Russian Federation by levels of budget system was put forward. The three-level budget system of the country is considered as institute, instrument and resource source of strategic planning. The hypothesis about possibility to reach the optimum structure of budget system, which could create conditions for including sub-national bodies of power in implementation of national projects was substantiated.

Strategic Planning in Financial Sectors of Tanzania

The basic purpose of this study was to evaluate the strategic planning practices by financial sectors and how owners and managers of these financial sectors play their roles in it in Tanzania. The other study objective was to ascertain if differences in strategic planning practices existed with respect to strategic planning in Tanzania’s financial sectors. The study discovered that the main scope of strategic planning includes environmental scanning, mission and vision, implementation incentives, time horizon of strategic planning, evaluation and control, employee involvement in strategic planning, the structure of strategic planning as well as source of information concerning the environment. Consequently the study discovered that vision and mission, a formality of strategic planning and evaluation and control were the most valued factors. The study concluded that there is insignificant statistical difference among managers and owners in their positions during strategic planning process. The study offers various dimensions of strategic planning that financial sectors of Tanzania can implement to be competitive and sustainable.

On improvement of corporate relations in the mining and metallurgical complex of Russia

The article emphasizes the need to improve the mechanisms of corporate interaction of companies of the domestic mining and metallurgical complex (MMC). A brief description of the modern iron ore base of Russia is given, rational industrial operation of which implies further innovative development of iron ore raw materials processing industries, strengthening of the position of Russian metallurgical and mining companies in domestic and world markets. The main typological forms of integration interaction between metallurgical and mining segments of MMC are considered. A brief analysis of the content of the corporate governance codes used by MMC companies has been provided. Key principles of improvement of integration interaction of mining-enrichment and metallurgical in the framework of industry corporate associations are proposed. Among them — factors (conditions) of strategic planning of development of MMC business groups. Recommendations are given to improve the practice of strategic planning of supply and investment activities of mining and processing mills.

Current State and Impact of Strategic Planning Activities on Entrepreneurs’ Financial Performance: Case of Serbia

The paper presents research on strategic planning practice of Serbian entrepreneurs. More specifically, it explores main features of the currently implemented strategic planning activity and its impact on financial performance of Serbian entrepreneurs. As female entrepreneurship continues to grow and is becoming more important economic and social issue, the research also takes into account the gender aspect. Building on literature review, hypotheses were developed and then tested on a random sample of 101 respondents. Main results suggest that strategic planning is underdeveloped management activity of Serbian entrepreneurs, primarily in terms of its long-time horizon, formality and use of objective data and analysis. Short-tem, informal and based on personal experience, feelings and intuition is planning of both female and male entrepreneurs without any statistically important difference based on gender. At the same time, as the strategic planning is more developed, the better are the financial performance of Serbian entrepreneurs. Besides contributing to the strategic management and entrepreneurship literature, the paper highlights certain aspects of these fields that should be emphasized in academic courses and training programs.

Performance Budgeting in Context: An Analysis of Italian Central Administrations

The impact of financial austerity in many countries and the need to set the direction for governments have radically changed several aspects of Public sector management (Rubin and Willoughby 2014; Anessi-Pessina et al. 2016). A central component of this effort to transform public management involves using strategic planning and performance measures for budgeting decisions (Joyce 1997). Over the last decade, there has been an increase in the use of performance budgeting at the national as well as at subnational and local level, with varying approaches and results across countries (Bleyen et al. 2017; OECD 2017). This article analyzes the dynamics of strategic planning and performance management practices in relation to the budgeting processes in the context of the Italian central government, with the aim of evaluating whether a predominant integration model is apparent in relation to those used in different countries at the OECD level. Starting in 2009, reforms concerning the implementation of performance management tools in the Italian public sector have been promoted and revised, although the need to fully integrate the performance and budgeting processes looks urgent. Based on data from Italian Ministries, this article analyzes the type of relationship and the degree of coherence between adopted strategic plans and budgets. The results show the persistence of a prevalent misalignment between planning and budgeting. Data that were collected from the analysis of strategic plans and budgets from ten Ministries depict a patchy situation, in which some ministries integrate the processes defining a consistent and comparable model, while some others do not. In the conclusions, areas for improvement of the process are identified, while providing policy implications.

Механізми здійснення публічної політики регіонального розвитку

Розглянуто сутність та принципи регіональної політики як ключової складової політики держави. Проаналізовано особливості реалізації політики регіонального розвитку на сучасному етапі. Акцентовано увагу на важливості стратегічного планування як дієвого інструменту розвитку регіону. Обґрунтовано ключові напрями оптимізації механізмів здійснення публічної політики регіонального розвитку.

Strategic planning practices in the telecommunications industry: evidence from Saudi Arabia

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the current strategic planning practices in the MENA region by highlighting the practices in the Saudi telecommunications industry (Saudi TI) and the external and internal factors that influence strategic planning in the Saudi TI.Design/methodology/approachThe data comprised those from a questionnaire-based survey of a random sample of managers of Saudi TI firms, supplemented with data from secondary sources.FindingsThe results revealed that most participating managers recognized the potential benefits of using strategic planning in their firms. Several significant factors that impacted on the decision-making process with regard to strategic planning in Saudi TI firms were identified.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper is to fill an existing knowledge gap on strategic planning in a key industry such as the telecommunications industry in a country that is of importance as a business hub in the Middle East.

Directions for the forecast analysis of the life cycle of real estate development projects

Introduction. Analytical studies show that monopolization, disparity trends, oversupply, and limited effectual demand become the long-term reality of the real estate market. Such a state of the market stimulates a change of ideas about a successful development project, puts in several relevant and in-demand research of new approaches and concepts of the life cycle of real estate development projects. Materials and methods. The article studies the best Russian and international practices of strategic planning of development projects using the methods of analysis and synthesis of accumulated representative experience. Results. We identified and systematized the main, topical and most popular areas of forecast analysis, which determine the specifics and strategy of development projects. These include studies of the long-term development trend of the region, analysis of the most likely scenarios for the full life cycle of the project and its harmonization with the development trend of the territory, involvement of the interests and needs of the territorial community in the project, analysis of the project’s suitability to the most likely development scenarios, study of the possibilities of consolidating the most significant positive effects life cycle and multiplicative effects of the project. Conclusions. The considered areas of strategic forecast analysis make it possible to withstand the strategy of a real estate development project at all stages of construction and, as a result, manage its life cycle from the project idea to the completion of the project. Prospects and further research include the study of methods of project life cycle management as an element of the life support environment, the subject interpretation of methods and the solution of problems of informatization of models and methods of planning a project strategy.

THE ACTIVITY OF THE HIGHER OFFICIALS OF SUBJECTS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN THE SYSTEM OF STRATEGIC PLANNING

Sustainable and balanced socio-economic development of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation cannot be carried out without planned management. However, the introduction of strategic planning systems faces a number of problems, the most important of which can be considered the shortcomings of goal-setting and forecasting of the socio-economic situation at the regional level, which has so far received insufficient attention. Orientation in the subjects of the Federation only on national goals without the possibility of using Federal management tools reduces the effectiveness of public authorities, does not allow to sufficiently take into account the specifics of regional development and social needs of the population. The analysis shows the possibility of applying the sustainable development Goals up to 2030, developed and recommended by the United Nations in 2015, which correlate with the indicators of assessing the effectiveness of senior officials of the subjects of the Federation established by the decree of the President of Russia. No less important is the problem of ensuring the implementation of strategic plans. The choice of approaches, tools and mechanisms for the implementation of strategies, programs and projects of regional development should be carried out in the context of the development of strategic planning practices, to improve the efficiency of public administration on the basis of the project approach, the expansion of the use of public-private partnership, the promotion of small and medium-sized businesses.

Circular cities: exploring local government strategies to facilitate a circular economy

ABSTRACTCities are growing rapidly, and the systems of production and consumption that support this growth are contributing to the depletion of natural resources and pollution of the environment. The circular economy model offers an alternative to the predominant take-make-dispose economic system. Local municipalities are seen to have the capacity to encourage sustainable development of the built environment. This paper aims to explore the role of strategic planning in facilitating a circular economy in urban settings. In particular, this research asks: How are local governments facilitating circular economy initiatives through strategic planning? What are the opportunities and barriers when applying circular economy principles through local strategic planning? The research approach used for this paper is a comparative case study of two international municipalities: the City of Melbourne, Australia and the City of Malmö, Sweden. Current strategic planning practice was examined with a focus on circular economy themes. The findings reveal that strategic urban planning can translate circular economy objectives into actions within specific urban areas, although barriers still exist to fully integrating the circular economy model.

Perform or conform? Looking for the strategic in municipal spatial planning in Sweden

ABSTRACT In recent decades, various strategic approaches to spatial planning have been introduced and implemented in Sweden, although the planning system itself has not fundamentally changed. However, strategic spatial planning is not a fixed and regulated institutional practice in either planning in general or in the Swedish planning system. To investigate strategic planning practice in Sweden, 16 recently approved comprehensive plans were studied to elucidate how strategic planning is understood and conceptualized by planners and then expressed in a statutory planning instrument. Although there is no ‘right theory’ of strategic planning, to avoid an ‘anything-goes’ attitude towards strategic planning, the contents of the studied plans were set against an ideal, normative model compiled from the academic debate, thus researching practice in dialogue with theory. The results indicate that comprehensive plans, rather than being contextually embedded, follow generic models of environmental scanning and strategy making, and most visions reiterate common political goals and slogans found everywhere. The plans often become catalogues of detailed instructions that, although not legally binding, tend to steer practice into predefined paths framed by generic doctrines within the planning community, rather than being the flexible and open-minded planning instruments that academic ideals prescribe.

Encounters with adversity: A framework for understanding resilience in later life

Background and objectives: We explore the internal and external resources that older adults use to negotiate adversity and related to later life. We investigated the experiences older adults had with adversity and explored the factors that promote and protect resilience and the how these factors shaped the process of managing adversity related to aging.Research design and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 64 resilient adults ranging in age from 53 to 94 years of age, with an average of 71. Participants were defined as resilient on the basis of their willingness to identify as such. Grounded Theory coding techniques were applied to identify themes reflecting distinct ways in which participants dealt with what they indicated were the most significant hardships and adversities in their lives.Results: What emerged from the narratives about resilience and adversity were accounts of expressions of resilience that reflected the importance in having a resilient identity. Three major themes reflecting psychological and behavioral factors were derived from the data: 1. having vital components of resilience, or behaviors and beliefs in place, that encompass resilience as a way of being; 2. a broad but articulate set of strategies that participants actively engaged with to manage adversity, and 3. a set of protective practices used to prevent risk and prevail in the face of hardship.Discussion and implications: Findings suggest that dealing with adversity in later life requires the use of substantial internal and external resources in what can characterized as a proactive fashion. The results are presented as an interpretation of the participants’ perceptions of their resilience and the role it plays in self-concept, strategic planning, and proactive practices. Implications for helping to put resilience into everyday practice are considered.

Sistemic requirements and their implementation in the science and technological strategy in Russia

The significant trends in the Russian practice of strategic planning are discussed in the article. Therefore, identification of the priorities in the field of science and technology relies heavily on forecasted global data trends, but is not actually embedded in the process of forming the development strategy of socio-economic system (SES) in Russia. Moreover, the rules, by themselves, for selecting priorities and implementing mechanisms have not been substantiated neither methodologically – from the point of adequate understanding of development patterns of SES, nor methodically – according with system diversity in the totality of the current circumstances and factors, relationships and interactions of the SES elements. Such paradoxes have led to a decline both in the quality of the strategy and in the opportunities for its implementation with the purpose to revive science and technology sector, to solve internal problems, to maintain stability and balance of the SES. The paper reviles the specific flaws in the national strategies: discrepancy, fragmentation, inconsistency of the strategy directions both inconsistency of the strategy directions both among themselves and among the sectors of the economy and society. The results of the actual data calculation are presented in the article to illustrate the paradox in choice of some directions in the “Strategy for the Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation” approved on 1 Dec. 2016, so as such choice relies on the so-called “big challenges” of the global world, but not on the internal challenges and opportunities. The key requirements for the strategy were argued in the paper from the perspective of system economic theory, developing under the leadership of G.B. Kleiner in the CEMI RAS. Systemic logic schema to elaborate SES strategy is proposed: from system analysis to synthesize integrated comprehensive image of the future system, based on systemic vision of the problem situation and on systemic assessment of the SES potential in the framework of proposed Structure of conditions and factors. The findings concern fundamental improvements both in practice of elaborating strategy and in developing the theory of strategic planning and governance.

Assessment of Investment Resources of the Region in the Strategic Context

The article analyzes the theory and practice of strategic planning, since increasing the welfare of the region is directly dependent on investments in the means of production, infrastructure development and technological development, and investments are needed for these purposes. The effectiveness of the implementation of the regional development strategy is provided by the comprehensiveness of the measures that form the investment environment, which can provide a certain socio-economic effect for the region, while increasing its competitiveness. With this aim, an important methodological task of choosing methods and tools for analyzing and evaluating the use of investment resources is determined. An assessment of strategic planning in the region was made on the example of the Republic of Crimea (hereinafter referred to as the region) on the formation of an attractive investment climate. Positive and negative factors of development of investment activity for the formation of a favorable investment climate have been identified. Investment indicators are used to more fully substantiate and comprehensively characterize the state of regional investments. All indicators correspond to a consistent system, determine the interconnectedness and interdependence of the development of investment activities. An assessment of investment activity in the region was carried out using an indicative method for estimating values by groups of indicators, followed by a comparison of the actual values of the indicators to assess the effectiveness of investment activities in the region. The dynamics of integral indicators in investment activity, investment resources are determined; investments in fixed capital are also analyzed for three groups of indicators: investment climate, investment resource potential, investment efficiency of the resources used. From the point of view of practical applications, the indicative assessment method helps to identify weak points in the formation of a favorable investment climate and eliminate the imbalances. A functioning system of analysis with the use of a project management system makes it possible to shorten the time needed for the approval of investment projects, to increase the efficiency of resource and time use.

Principles of area development strategic planning (the case of the free state of Bavaria)

Introduction. To accomplish the task of area development a new creative approach, that is urban development connected with the dramatic improvement of the quality of urban development environment, is proposed. In the context of this approach, the study of the experience and practice of area development strategic planning using the example of the Free State of Bavaria as a German region with significant scientific potential and economic strength is of great interest. The purpose of area development strategic planning is the achievement of such a situation when the welfare of the people living in the area increases. Today, in the context of spatial development imbalances, violation of territorial integrity, environmental pollution and other challenges, the development of new cities is an exceptional practice. Materials and methods. The methodological framework of the research is a new conceptual approach to the city planning environment, that is urban development. The methods of the research are: familiarization with relevant regulatory documents of the Federal Republic of Germany and system analysis of urban planning documentation for the accomplishment of the tasks of strategic planning of area development. Results. The specifics of the area planning in Germany including specifics of area comprehensive development (types, purposes, objectives and the content of urban regulatory documents) has been revealed. The analysis of the strategic planning of area development in Bavaria performed in terms of urban development principles shows that the emphasis in the development is on the historical value of settlements. Special attention is paid to the redevelopment of industrial and transport zones. Elements of Smart City are employed in the area management. Conclusions. The experience of strategic planning of area development using the example of the Free State of Bavaria can be helpful for practice of regulating the process of area development in Russia.

Forecasting technology trends using text mining of the gaps between science and technology: The case of perovskite solar cell technology

How to detect and identify the future trends of emerging technologies as early as possible is crucial for government R&D strategic planning and enterprises' practices. To avoid the weakness of using only scientific papers or patents to study the development trends of emerging technologies, this paper proposes a framework that uses scientific papers and patents as data resources and integrates the text mining and expert judgment approaches to identify technology evolution paths and forecast technology development trends within the short term. The perovskite solar cell technology is selected as a case study. In this case, the text mining and expert judgment methods are applied to analyze the technology evolution path, and gaps analysis between science and technology is used to forecast the technology development trend. This paper will contribute to the technology forecasting and foresight methodology, and will be of interest to solar photovoltaic technology R&D experts.

Strategic culture in a risk society: The conceptual bases of analysis

«Вестник Санкт-Петербургского университета. Философия и конфликтология» — научно-теоретический рецензируемый журнал, обобщающий результаты исследований ученых всего мира в области традиционных философских дисциплин — онтологии, теории познания, логики, этики, социальной философии, эстетики, истории философии, философии культуры и философии религии, а также актуальные разработки в конфликтологии, философии политики и права.