Service Of Public Interest Research Articles

固定価格買取制度以降の中国地方の小水力発電の展開

This study examines the deployment of small-scale hydroelectric power enterprises (1,000 kW or less), operated for more than 40 years by a farmers’ organization or a town office in the Chugoku region, since the introduction of a feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme. A survey of the operating organizations in Okayama Prefecture revealed that the FIT introduction enabled the renewal of outdated and inefficient facilities. The results indicated it was not whether the small hydropower enterprises were operated by local community but profitability that allowed the operating organizations to maintain them. However, small hydropower installations have become widespread recently in the service of public interest—for example, to secure power in readiness for disaster or to revitalize rural area. Therefore, sustainable small hydropower manage­ment must also devote equal attention to economic and social considerations to become fully efficient and community-centric.

Unexplored aspects of the social licence for SMEs

Purpose – This paper aims to examine social licence in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Social and economic actors can assist in protecting the environment by granting firms a social licence. The social licence is regarded as a regulatory trigger, which some claim can improve organisational practices and possibly induce beyond compliance behaviour. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses data from interviews with the owners and managers of 110 manufacturing SMEs. Findings – Social licence pressures are generally weak, while traditional regulation remains essential for encouraging and sustaining environmental activity. That said, the data show important differences across firms, for some SMEs are influenced by and responsive to social licence pressures. Typically, these pressures derive from stakeholders who pursue a relatively narrow self-interest (rather than public interest) mandate, and focus on particular issues rather than broader objectives of environmental responsibility. When responding to pressures, SMEs are likely to take specific and focused actions that address specific stakeholder concerns. Research limitations/implications – Fresh insights are provided into the social licence and smaller firms. Contrary to previous views, there are circumstances where the social licence provides a limited and tailored regulatory tool for initiating change, and it typically leads to firms making alterations to business practices that tend to be low-cost and easy to implement. The social licence can provide a consensual micro-social contract and limited public interest service, and, subject to supporting circumstances, it may be extendable to other types of smaller firms. Social implications – The paper presents fresh insights into the relationship between SMEs and social and economic stakeholders. Originality/value – The paper provides new insights into how relevant stakeholders can influence the environmental behaviour of small firms.

The Essential Conditions for the Validity of the Contract of Carriage

Abstract At the conclusion of the transport contract for goods or people, the carrier shall make available to the consignor or the passenger his exclusive and special service to travel in space with a suitable means of transport, different from other previous or subsequent transport services. Thus, the transport activity is entirely distinct and independent from the civil or economic transactions concerning the goods transported, which run between the consignor and the recipient, or, taking another example, from the insurance agreement during the transport of goods or persons, imposed by law. At the same time, transport is a service of public interest, which obliges the transport operator to publish permanently his transport offer with all the information needed to access it. This is the source of the organized and uniform periodicity of the carrying trade, performed as a constant preoccupation in order to obtain profit. But, because of the multitude and diversity of displacement interests of the transport beneficiaries, sometimes the transport operator is forced to arrange that the transport of goods or people contracting should be carried out through another carrier. Therefore, whenever the transporter is substituted by another transport operator for total or partial execution of its duty, the latter will be considered part of the transport contract, taking over all obligations of the contracting operator directly with the beneficiary of his service.

Public sector restructuring on the municipal level: The case of city of Belgrade

As at 2013 year-end the City of Belgrade had a 20.25% budget deficit, an inefficient City Administration and an overweight public sector that generated a total financial loss almost EUR 24 million. In just one year, through the implementation of reforms that involved institutional, organizational and financial restructuring, the City halved the budget deficit, and the public sector which previously generated a loss was transformed into a public sector that generates a profit, in the amount of EUR 8.5 million. The essence to the restructuring process is reflected in the clear division between the function of the founder and the function of management. The founder, City of Belgrade, starts doing the basic function of the founder, which is continuously controlling and monitoring the operations of public companies. The management of public companies was given two key goals: improving the efficiency of business operations and a continued improvement in the quality of the services provided by the public company. Many public companies do not have the fundamental goal of making a profit but rather providing services of public interest in the business activity they are in charge of. By establishing an economic goal also, the public companies, regardless of their fundamental goal and purpose for which they were founded, also have to take into account economic parameters or, in order words, operating efficiently.

La forêt du canton du Jura – ses caractéristiques et ses liens avec la surface agricole adjacente

The forest of the Canton of Jura – main features and links to agriculture The Canton of Jura has a high share of forests and wooded pastures. The forest is mostly publicly owned (72%). The essay presents the strong points of the Canton's forest: its area is large, offering space for the various forest functions, and there is a significant potential for wood production. The weak points of forestry in the Jura today, notably traditional structures and limited financial resources of owners and the Canton, are also described. Policies for agriculture and forestry are very important for rural development. The two types of policy interact directly, with synergies, but also with conflicts, at the forest edge and above all in the wooded pastures, which are an archetypal landscape of the Canton of Jura. The essay discusses the relationship between the agriculture and forest worlds, but also demonstrates the necessity of better harmonisation of practice in the framework of integrated management of the rural space. It also stresses the solutions to be found by local stakeholders. Support for adequate framework conditions and targeted financial support must be maintained when services in public interest are at stake.

The African National Congress’ post-Apartheid Politics: Prominence of Individual Personalities above Communications

The post-1994 General Elections ascendancy of the African National Congress (ANC) to state power entailed party evolution as a social system lest the curse of liberation movement popularity dislodgement with shift to ruling party politics. Transition from liberation movement to ruling political party is embedded with contradictions, paradoxes and contestations relating to organizational constitution with “individuals and assets as its elements” or “communications and actions”. Evidently, the ruling ANC has increasingly become synonymous with internal squabbles rooted in personalities and power mongering for both party and state. Post-1994 ANC organizational evolution appeared to lack a complementary autopoietic layer that defines systems of communications and actions, away from the nostalgic principle of democratic discipline founded in the allopoietic character of individuals and assets. Consequently, the post-1994 ANC sustained the liberation movement legacy that compromises state governance qualities of responsiveness, effectiveness, accountability, enduring civic duty, inclusivity and service of public interest, because individuals and actions are non-reproducible. Armed with the modernizing project apparatus, former President Mbeki sought for a departure of the conduct of party and state presidency from conventional wisdom prescribed to by former President Mandela, thereby entrenching a dreaded culture of slate political party voting with the appendage of the promise of state resources control and power politics patronage. This article identifies the 2007 Polokwane Elective Conference of the ANC as an important turning point in this political party’s anniversary “life story”; and, it concedes that the party has to consciously detest glorification of individuals and assets in order to evolve through communications and actions based on ideal political virtues, which would be transposed onto the state by instilling a sense of civic duty, shared ownership of state machinery and popular mobilization of the citizenry. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n15p630

Civil Regulation, the Environment and the Compliance Orientations of SMEs

The article explores the impact of civil regulation on the environmental behaviour of SMEs. It shows that although civil regulatory pressures are generally subdued, and that conventional regulation continues to be an important driver of behaviour, there are circumstances where civil pressures nevertheless produce a ‘regulatory’ stimulus. Where they do, it appears that civil regulatory pressures tend to derive from stakeholders pursuing relatively narrow self-interest (rather than public interest) mandates; and they normally target particular issues rather than ‘social responsibility’ in any broad sense. SME responses typically take the form of compliance-reinforcing (rather than beyond compliance) measures. For SMEs, it is suggested that, in some circumstances, civil regulation provides a bespoke regulatory mechanism which is more likely to bring about changes in basic practices on narrow issues. It can also be seen as producing a particular type of consensual micro-social contract and public interest service.

Intellectual capital reporting in the Italian non‐profit sector: analysing a case study

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyse the IC reporting practices of an Italian non‐profit organization (NPO), the ANPAS Piemonte, selected as it is one of the few cases with a longstanding experience in issuing IC reports.Design/methodology/approachThis is an exploratory, qualitative case study focused on a single case study organization. The study took place over eight years. The case description and analysis are based on the IC reports published by the company.FindingsThis paper concludes that the ANPAS Piemonte is an organization that has expended considerable focus and effort in developing an IC measurement and reporting model. It has a well‐established IC reporting procedure, but a comprehensive view of IC and of the synergies among IC subcategories is lacking.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses on a single case study of a NPO providing public interest services in Italy. The main limitation therefore lies in the difficulties in generalizing the ANPAS Piemonte's experience to other NPOs. From the IC management point of view, the distinction between different industries may be as important as the profit orientation, as well as the operations of the third sector may vary across countries.Originality/valueThe contribution of the article lies in its analysis of the IC reports of an organization in the context of the NP sector, as few prior studies have examined the third sector from an ICR perspective.

Entry requirements to the auditing profession: a need for harmonisation

This paper analyses the current situation as regards entry requirements to the accounting profession from an international perspective. Auditing is a public interest service so it is regulated in different jurisdictions. Our results show that even though this service is dominated by global multinational companies and entry barriers to foreign markets seem to be falling, there is important diversity among entry requirements to the audit profession in the countries analysed. The authors support the need for international harmonization in this field by means of promoting global acceptance of the standards set by the International Accounting Education Standards Board from the International Federation of Accountants. This paper is extremely timely given the fact that the Spanish standard setter is about to make regulatory changes in this regard and has created a discussion group to this end.

Kinerja Pelayanan Publik Pemkot Surabaya Menurut Persepsi Masyarakat (Survey Pada Dispenduk Dan Puskemas)

AbstractThis study aims to analyze the performance of Local Government Task Force related to services provided Surabaya public/ community as intended by Permendagri 73/2009. And to know the correspondence between the performance of services with the expectation or level of use of public interest services Surabaya Local Government Unit according to the index specified by KepMenpan No. 25/KEP/M.PAN/2/2004, Measurement of the dimensions of service quality is the 14 indicators specified in the questionnaire KepmenPan which were translated into 33 subindikator. The population in this study were all community care service users SKPD selected, the Office of Population and Civil serving the needs of birth certificates and service records related to identity issues and health centers (one selected health centers in the suburbs, namely Eastern Surabaya). While samples taken accidental sampling, ie respondents who can be found by the researchers. Results showed that administration of the health center service is good but still can be improved and Dispenduk still not satisfactory.

Non-Contractual Administrative Responsibility as a Means to Better Redress Juridical and Physical Persons Interests and Better Address Public Interests: Reforms Needed to the Albanian Legislation and European Standards

A rule of law state requires first that the legal order be respected. All legal and physical persons are subject to this requirement, being those state institutions, or public administration institutions, business actors or individuals. One of the key constitutional principles addressing the protection of the public interest as well as the interests of any physical or juridical person whose rights and legal individual or collective interests are influenced by the public administration decisions is that of the non-contractual administrative responsibility. The damages that occur during the decision-taking process are paid by the public administration. However, this principle is very little known and understood in Albania. A greater sensibility on this principle first serves better the interests of such subjects, especially business actors whose interests are more intensively influenced by such decisions, and second means a better respect for public interest in general. Also, the principle is a common European principle and also developed regionally in common documents, not only from the Council of Europe but also from the European Union and communities legal mechanisms. Thus, understanding the relevant legislation in force in Albania, as well as taking necessary steps to reform legal constrains that work as obstacles to it are regional political obligations. Such approach serves also to a better free market scheme as well as to a better public interest service in general.

Influence of planning and civil initiative, as a form of public intervention, on gentrification

The main purpose of this paper is to establish the connection between gentrification and planning, as a form of state and civil intervention, along with citing instances of local community reactions to negative effects of gentrification. The work examines how these two forms of public intervention, by means of implementing measures/actions, influence positive and negative effects of gentrification and contribute to maintaining balance between them. Furthermore, it explains how they act in service of public interest. The main criterion for the selection of research examples has been the form of intervention implemented (measures/actions, that is, their diversity). Most examples have been drawn from the USA where, on account of its liberal economic system, the power of planning is weaker, negative effects of gentrification are more dominant and gentrification itself is considered a negative phenomenon. The main objective of the analysis is to determine how to minimize the negative effects. A small number of examples presented have been taken from developed European countries, since those states exert stronger influence on planning and the state/community is more responsible for housing problems and existence of different groups of individuals in the community. Those instances illustrate the maximization of positive effects. In addition, some examples have been drawn from transitional, post-socialist Balkan countries where anti-planning attitude is dominant and negative effects of gentrification are more present. Given their effects on gentrification, the most successful measures/actions, applied in the form of public intervention, ordered by category, are as follows: affordable housing, jobs, local regulations, partnership and direct actions.

Public-Interest Supply Functions of Non-Public Funding Foundations: A Typology, Supply Pathways and Optimal Policies

Abstract Since 2004, non-public funding foundations have developed rapidly. They have had important effects on resource mobilization, public-interest services and grant incubation. This study affirms non-public funding foundations’ role as “public-interest suppliers”. After an analysis of the entire supplier – that is, non-public funding foundation – industry’s development, a typology of non-public funding foundations as public-interest providers is presented and the concept of “agent foundations” introduced. Then, five foundation supply methods are discussed, including direct supply of funds, direct supply of services, indirect supply of funds, indirect supply of services and supply by foundation agents. The last type, in particular, is characterized by a unique principal-agent relationship. Then, from the angles of transaction costs, field effectiveness and optimal scales, it analyzes issues related to non-public funding foundations’ optimal supply decisions, including optimal methods, fields and scales of supply. Lastly, it identifies two major challenges from the demand side that non-public funding foundations face as they vigorously develop – homogeneous competition and insufficient effective demand – and offers policy responses.

Securing freedom of expression through the digital transition?

Two recent reports by organizations committed to safeguarding and strengthening freedom of expression and pluralism during the digital transition are reviewed. They point to opportunities but warn of risks in countries where democratic traditions are weak. Both offer guidance and recommendations to governments, legislators, regulators, broadcasters and citizens. Another current initiative is a study to assess the impact of the digital transition on pluralism, freedom of expression and public interest services across the globe.

Social Economy and Home Care Services in Quebec: Co-Production or Co-Construction?

Third sector organizations have always played a significant role in the supply of home support services in Quebec, but this supply of services attained a crucial development phase in 1996, with the creation of 100 or so domestic help social economy enterprises (DHSEEs). These DHSEEs complemented the supply of public services delivered by the Quebec state, thus de facto taking part in the dynamics of co-production of services in the context of a mixed economy including the third sector. However, beyond that co-production, these enterprises also have to position themselves in a process of co-construction with the state, that is, in the joint, partnership-oriented construction of public policy, which provides the framework for their participation in services of public interest. Analysis of this public policy thus shows that the situation of DHSEEs in Quebec has swung, depending on the period, between co-production and various types of co-construction. A number of restrictive budget policies and subcontracting practices adopted by the Quebec state, along with tensions among DHSEE groups, curtailed the development of a genuine co-construction process during the 2000s.

Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 and Other Financial Crises: How to Manage Them?

Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 and Other Financial Crises: How to Manage Them?

Waldleistungen – der WEP Kanton Zürich als Umsetzungsinstrument (Essay) | Forest services – the Forest Development Plan of canton Zurich as a means for action (essay)

Approximately 30% of the surface area of canton Zurich is covered with forest. As a characteristic element in the landscape, the forest provides an important contribution to the quality of life for the population of Zurich. According to a preliminary examination copy of the Forest Development Plan of canton Zurich, about 3% of the forest area has top priority as important for protection against natural hazards, about 19% is important for its biological diversity and about 51% serves for wood exploitation. On top of this, about a third of the forest is used intensively by those seeking for relaxation. Besides timber and protection, the Zurich forest thus provides various products and services which the population mostly takes for granted. It is the forest owners who provide this public service. With the Forest Development Plan of canton Zurich, it should be possible to pay compensation for services of public utility interest and thus ease the financial burden on forest owners. Services which are not primarily in the public interest can be commercialized locally provided they do not influence these public interests. The Forest Development Plan of canton Zurich provides the necessary bases for planning this coordination.

La valorisation des prestations non-bois: particularités genevoises (essai) | Commercialization of non-wood forest services: the case of Geneva (essay)

The history of the forests in canton Geneva, having led to these being disconnected from productive functions, provides a symptomatic demonstration that the services provided by the forest eco-system are common goods. Having no hope of financial returns in the near future and faced with increasing social demands, the state has invested in the purchase of forest land, financed projects for forest regeneration and improvement of biological diversity and developed infrastructures for visitors. In doing this the state as a public body takes on the provision of services in the public interest. But the further funding for this and for expenses for the private forests, which must be taken into account, are not secured for the future.

Potentials and limitations of spatial and demographic development in Kosovo-Metohija lignite basin

The initial research carried out for the purpose of elaborating the Spatial Plan for Kosovo-Metohija Lignite Basin indicated the need to address numerous conflicts and opposing interests in the area concerned. This required the Plan to focus on harmonizing the economic, social and spatial aspects of developing a mining-energy-industrial system (hereinafter MEIS) and its surroundings, devising the new ways for the protection of local population interests and use of novel approaches in dealing with the environmental consequences of lignite exploitation and processing. The area wherein Kosovo-Metohija lignite deposits are found is replete with diverse conflicting interests, including insufficient and uneven development, extremely large overall and especially agrarian population density (among the highest in Europe), unemployment and a sizable portion of the grey economy, low level and quality of services of public interest, ethnic conflicts and polarization, etc. The environmental effects of MEIS activities in a situation of this kind were revealed by the early stages of research in all segments of economic, social and spatial development, along with a high degree of environmental degradation. The main conflict in the Plan area is the one between mining and agriculture, i.e. open pit lignite mining and high-fertility soil covering lignite deposits. The conflict is additionally aggravated by the remarkable density of agricultural population on this territory and high selling prices of the land. Therefore, a substantial part of the Plan?s propositions was related to the conditions of settlement and infrastructure relocation, population resettlement and measures to relieve the tensions and prevent the outbreak of potential conflicts in implementing the Plan. The Spatial Plan is conceived as a complex and comprehensive document defining the framework, basic principles, starting points and measures tackling the numerous development conflicts, spatial, social and ecological limitations, including the relevant analytical and data bases deriving from field research and surveys. Despite the fact that under the UN SC Resolution 1244, the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija has been under the jurisdiction of the United Nations since June 1999, we believe that the Draft of the Spatial Plan and the research work done for its purpose are still valid, since to this date there have been no attempts to start the formation of new open pits in Kosovo lignite basin.

LIBERALIZATION AND PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES: ORIGINS OF THE DEBATE, CURRENT ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE

ABSTRACT*: Public utilities, public enterprises, privatizations, liberalizations and related topics have been the object of far reaching and intense debate among economists, politicians and practitioners for more than a century. Ideas have frequently changed, and practical solutions chosen to manage public utilities have also undergone significant changes over time. Presently we are witnessing a renewed debate on the relative opportunity of public and private enterprise. In the last twenty years privatization and liberalization have dominated the field. The outcome of this process has produced mixed results. Merits and demerits of privatization, liberalization and regulation are reviewed and discussed in the first part of the paper. The second part of the paper provides an overview of the scientific work of CIRIEC related to issues of public enterprises and services of general interest. It refers primarily to relevant research activities done in the International Scientific Commission ‘Public services/Public enterprises’. Over the past two decades CIRIEC contributed some recognized theoretical and empirical studies dealing with the functioning, governance and reform of public enterprises, based on an international perspective. Theoretical arguments and empirical findings put forward in this paper leads to the conclusion, that the often stated dominant position against public enterprises is not at all convincing. In order to arrive at a fair and valid evaluation of public utilities, it is indispensable to look more closely to the particular circumstances of the technological, economic and social environment and the goals of the provision of a concrete service of public interest.