Reforms In Different Countries Research Articles

2.L. Round table: Monitoring health reforms to inform policy innovation: the Health Systems and Policies Monitor

Abstract Background The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies’ (Observatory) Health Systems and Policy Monitor (HSPM) network convenes an international group of around 50 national health systems researchers from over 40 institutions across 31 high-income countries, including all EU countries, Canada, Israel, the UK and the US. In advance of the HSPM annual meeting, experts share the current year’s “top-three” health reforms in their countries via a standardized survey, soliciting details on content and general implementation processes. Reforms are iteratively organized into to 2 of 11 clusters, derived from the WHO health system building blocks. Experts then discuss background, status and content of national reforms in the year’s main clusters and initiate cross-country collaborations. A repository of over 650 reforms since 2018 has been created and is available online, showcasing reform patterns in HSPM countries. The collected data have informed studies on reform trends in HSPM countries from 2018-2019 and between 2020-2022, with work ongoing. Data are also consulted by researchers and policymakers wishing to learn about and from reforms in other countries. This workshop specifically aims to: • Inform participants about the methodologies used by the HSPM network to track reforms • Highlight common trends in major health reforms across countries since 2018 • Discuss national health reforms and the value of understanding and tracking these across countries • Identify research gaps in reform monitoring relevant to policy makers • Discuss how the health system research community can generate more relevant and actionable evidence Added-value The comparative analysis of reform trends provides insights into how systems operate and the types of reforms more likely to be implemented. The sharing of these insights also serves as a source of inspiration, allowing countries to learn from each other’s successes and failures and adopt proven best practices. This is relevant for policymakers and researchers striving to support health systems strengthening. Therefore, the workshop will support knowledge exchange between researchers and policymakers by (1) informing researchers and policymakers about similar ongoing reforms in other countries and (2) identifying areas where researchers can contribute to country reform agendas, and (3) stimulating interest in cross-country collaborative research on similar and topical reforms in different countries. Format This is a roundtable workshop chaired and moderated by the Observatory. An overview of reform trends and patterns since 2018 will set the scene, followed by an interactive discussion with policymakers and HSPM network members to (1) delve into trend dynamics and implications for health policy and research and (2) identify major (missing) research areas relevant to policymakers. In addition, we will leverage the geographic scope and expertise of the audience to reflect on the value of monitoring reforms. Key messages • Cross-country exchange of information on reform trends and implementation patterns can inspire future reforms and help policymakers identify promising policy approaches abroad. • Knowledge exchange between researchers and policymakers helps to determine evidence gaps and to generate relevant and actionable evidence that can drive policy innovation. Speakers/Panelists Reinhard Busse Berlin University of Technology, Berlin, Germany Ines Fronteira National School of Public Health - NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal Iwona Kowalska-Bobko Jagiellonian University Medical College, Institute of Public Health, Cracow, Poland Isabel de La Mata DG SANTE, European Commission, Luxembourg, Luxembourg Vesna-Kestrin Petric Ministry of Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia

ADAPTING THE CONSTITUTIONAL IDENTITY OF THE STATE TO MODERN CHALLENGES: ANALYSIS AND PERSPECTIVES

This article examines the process of adapting the constitutional identity of states to modern challenges. It considers the evolution of the concept of identity and its significance within the constitutional fabric of the state. The paper focuses on the mechanisms and causes of changes in constitutional identity, which can be either deliberate or unforeseen, and the role of political dynamics and external pressures in this process. The authors analyze a number of constitutional reforms in different countries over the past five years, highlighting the diversity of both the goals and the content of these reforms. The article also explores the dual nature of identity transformation in the context of international relations and the importance of preserving the authenticity of constitutional identity while adapting to new challenges.

Board gender diversity reform and corporate carbon emissions

We examine the impact of the increased presence of female board members on corporate carbon emissions. Using the staggered enactment of gender diversity reforms in different countries, we find that an increase in the number of female directors after the reforms leads to a reduction in corporate carbon emissions. This effect is particularly more pronounced when the reform is legislative, and occurs in collectivistic countries. Furthermore, the effect of enhanced female board representation on carbon emission reduction is greater following the Paris Agreement. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers who consider gender diversity reform as a strategy against climate change.

Effectiveness of constitutional review of economic reforms: Practices of different countries and ways of improvement

Relevance. The subject of the study on constitutional review of economic reforms is relevant, as it concerns the principal aspects of legal regulation of the economy and requires the search for modern approaches to harmonise constitutional principles with economic changes in the context of constant challenges of the global economic environment. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to analyse the practices of constitutional review of economic reforms in different countries to identify successful practices and develop proposals for their improvement. Methodology. The study employed analytical, functional methods, method of system analysis, deduction, synthesis, and method of comparison. Results. The study analysed the role of constitutional review in the context of economic reforms, examining its impact on protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, ensuring the constitutionality of legislation, controlling the actions of the executive, and combating arbitrariness and corruption. The study compared different approaches to the organisation of constitutional review, identifying their effectiveness in addressing economic challenges. Cases of successful and unsuccessful cases of constitutional review in different countries were examined, identifying factors affecting its effectiveness. The study highlighted the significance of ensuring the independence of constitutional bodies, the introduction of technology to streamline procedures, and active engagement with international practices and international research projects. Conclusions. The study concluded by suggesting ways to improve constitutional review through the introduction of procedural improvements, educational programmes, international practices, and the strengthening of constitutional review institutions to better follow constitutional principles in a changing economic environment. The practical significance of this study lies in the fact that the proposed ways of improving the constitutional review of economic reforms can serve as a basis for the development of effective mechanisms that promote more flexible and adaptive regulation of economic policy.

Pension System Reform: International Experience and Insights

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and conduct a comparative study of pension system reforms in the international arena in order to obtain experiences and insights from the pension system reforms in various countries. After introducing the basic concepts and current status of pension systems, this paper reviews the history of pension system reform in the international arena and analyzes the reform measures, policy effectiveness, and problems and challenges of different countries. By comparing and summarizing the international experiences and insights, this paper provides references and inspirations for the future pension system reform in China. The study finds that the effectiveness of pension system reform measures and policies varies across countries, but in general can be summarized in four directions: gradually raising the retirement age, increasing personal responsibility, increasing funding sources, and improving administrative efficiency. In addition, there are some common problems and challenges in pension system reforms in different countries, such as political difficulties, social stability, funding gaps, and overly conservative policies. In order to solve these problems, governments need to take into account national conditions and actual situations and adopt reform measures that meet the characteristics and realities of their countries. Comparing the experience and inspiration of international pension system reform, we can find that: firstly, it is necessary to adhere to the people-oriented principle and focus on protecting the basic rights and interests of individuals; secondly, it is necessary to strengthen the institutional guarantee of policies and laws to ensure the continuity and stability of policies; thirdly, it is necessary to play the role of market mechanism to increase the funding source of pensions; fourthly, it is necessary to strengthen the supervision and management of the government to improve the management efficiency. These experiences and inspirations are useful for China's future pension system reform.

Trends in global education reform since the 1990 s: Looking for the right way

Reforming national education systems has become a global phenomenon. International education development literature describes education policies and consequent reforms in different countries around the world. This article describes the emergence of the global education reform movement (GERM) and its main manifestations in national education policies and reforms since the 1990 s. The aim of this article is to show how GERM has evolved during the past decades as a neoliberal educational change orthodoxy and how it has become challenged by the international comparative data and research. The conclusion is that the success of whole-system educational change depends on national policymakers’ understanding of the difference between wrong and right drivers in planned education reforms for social and economic development of their countries. Global education reform movement as it is described in this article has not been able to improve quality, equity, and efficiency of education although that has been its basic promise.

Exploring elitisation of participatory budgeting in a post-Soviet democracy: evidence from a Ukrainian municipality

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore elites' prevalence in the process of participatory budgeting (PB) in a Ukrainian municipality.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on the elite control and capture literature to examine the occurrence of unintended consequences resulting from the process of PB. Data for this case study are derived from document analysis and semi-structured interviews.FindingsThis study demonstrates how the involvement of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) promoted PB in a Ukrainian municipality. In the process of orienting politicians and administrators to PB, its normative benefits tend to be prioritised, whilst very little attention has been paid to making inhabitants aware of their role in the process of participatory decision-making. Although PB is intended to propagate good governance and accountability, it has in fact turned out to be a means of promoting corruption and furthering the personal interests of rent-seeking actors.Practical implicationsThe paper demonstrates how elites can capture and control PB in the context of emerging economies, thereby preventing its propagated benefits of ensuring equality, justice and emancipation in local communities from being realised.Originality/valueExploring PB in Ukraine, the authors urge that caution should be exercised with regard to the wholesale adoption of externally/NGO-propagated ideas. Each emerging economy context is distinct, and an appreciation of this uniqueness is key to the success of PB reforms in different countries.

Reforming the education system to prevent labor migration

The world economy is in an unprecedented situation, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the health care crisis. It’s currently difficult to predict all the consequences, but there are undoubtful changes in migration flows, unemployment and poverty increase, and their impact on national economies and globally. The paper aimed at analyzing the cases of educational reforms in different countries, revealing new trends in education and learning that may prevent labor migration or mitigate it. To support feasibility of the study, a bibliometric analysis was implemented on the basis of Scopus tools and VOSviewer software. In this paper, the content analysis of several cases in a sphere of educational reform was performed, namely educational systems of some EU countries and their former members (UK, France, Finland) as well as the most developed world economies (USA, China, and Japan). The distance learning is considered as fundamentally necessary in today’s conditions and a milestone of the global educational system development. The paper investigates the essence and distribution of mass online courses as a typical type of distance learning. The case of virtual exchange that was managed and organized by several institutions within the COIL initiative was also analyzed the alternative to traditional learning. The recommendations about the further development of educational systems were made, as well as suggestions about the competitiveness of national economies due to the migration process. Acknowledgment and funding This research was funded by a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine “Reforming the lifelong learning system in Ukraine for the prevention of the labor emigration: a coopetition model of institutional partnership” (No. 0120U102001).

Distributional Impacts of Carbon Pricing: A Meta-Analysis

Understanding the distributional impacts of market-based climate policies is crucial to design economically efficient climate change mitigation policies that are socially acceptable and avoid adverse impacts on the poor. Empirical studies that examine the distributional impacts of carbon pricing and fossil fuel subsidy reforms in different countries arrive at ambiguous results. To systematically determine the sources of variation between these outcomes, we apply an ordered probit meta-analysis framework. Based on a comprehensive, systematic and transparent screening of the literature, our sample comprises 53 empirical studies containing 183 effects in 39 countries. Results indicate a significantly increased likelihood of progressive distributional outcomes for studies on lower income countries and transport sector policies. The same applies to study designs that consider indirect effects, demand-side adjustments of consumers or lifetime income proxies.

Market, state and ownership in Eurasian space (On the book “The transition to a market economy and structural reforms in the member-states of Eurasian Economic Union” edited by I. V. Pilipenko)

The book under review aims to form a broad picture of economic reforms in the course of transition from a planned economy to a market one in the memberstates of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The authors set as their objective to show changes of economic institutions in the process of market reforms. In this book, the main attention is paid to institutions of ownership and institutions, which determine the role of the state in the economy. This analysis not only shows the process of reforms in different countries, but demonstrates the evolution of the conditions for economic integration of EAEU member-states. In the book, the presence of barriers for integration is analyzed as well as the conditions for their dismantling. It contains a lot of facts and empirical information, which are structured by unified principles that makes the process of comparing economic reforms in different countries much easier. At the same time, the empirical part in the book evidently prevails over the analytical one. Presentation of facts is rarely followed by definitive theoretical conclusions.

Major health system reforms in 27 European countries in 2018 and 2019

Abstract Background Countries in Europe are continuously reforming their health care systems. Often similar reforms are happening simultaneously in different countries, and policymakers would benefit from considering reform experiences made abroad. However, no systematic information is available about reforms happening simultaneously across countries. This presentation provides an overview of major health reform trends in Europe in 2018 and 2019. Methods For the HSPM network's annual meetings in 2018 and 2019, information was collected from national experts on the three most important health reforms in each country happening in that year. In the 2019 survey round, experts were also asked to provide an update on the status of the three reforms they had reported in 2018. Subsequently, all reforms were clustered independently, assigning each reform to one (or several) of 11 categories. Results In 2018, national experts reported on 78 reforms from 26 European countries. Together, more than one-third of the reforms fell under three clusters: 'coverage & resource generation', 'purchasing & payment' and 'hospital care'. Each of these clusters included reforms from at least nine countries. In 2019, national experts reported 79 reforms from 27 countries. The top clusters were 'primary & ambulatory care' and 'governance', with fourteen and twelve reporting countries respectively. Most 2018 reforms (47/78) were still reported as ongoing in 2019, indicating the complexity of many reforms. More than 20 reforms were reported as implemented, while six reforms were abandoned. Conclusions Health reforms in different countries often focus on similar topics. Some countries are experimenting with reforms that have already been implemented or abandoned in other countries. There is huge potential for cross-country learning as information on reform experiences may provide inspiration for reforms or help avoid the making the same mistakes in another country.

How accurate are the Doing Business indicators? A Pacific Island case study

AbstractWhile there have been several attempts to measure the investment climate, by far the most widely recognised measure is the World Bank's Doing Business indicators (DBIs), ranking some 200 countries on their ease of doing business. Methodological criticisms have failed to dent their stature. This article is based on case studies of Pacific Island countries that demonstrate that identical reforms in different countries are assigned rankings so widely divergent that they call into question the validity of the DBIs. The findings cast doubt on targeting improved DBI rankings as a policy goal. Our case studies are the first to provide detailed country evidence supporting the criticisms levelled against the DBIs on conceptual grounds.

Chief Nurse Executives involuntary turnover in times of health care reforms: Findings from an interpretative phenomenology study.

In recent years, due to several health care system reforms in different countries, an increased involuntary turnover rate of Chief Nurse Executives has been reported around the World. However, no data on their perceived experience of their dismissal have been documented up to now in the European context. Describing the experience of involuntarily dismissed Chief Nurse Executives was the main aim of this interpretative phenomenological study. Data were collected through face-to-face audiotaped interviews performed by involving a purposeful sample of 13 Chief Nurse Executives; data analysis was performed by using the QSR NVIVO 11 software. The Chief Nurse Executives' experience of Being fired is characterized by three main themes: (1) "Health Care Institutions are places influenced by political turbulences"; (2) "My competence and presence in the arena is despised by a range of strategies"; and (3) "Transiting from darkness to light". According to their experience, the reason for dismissal was due to changes in the political climate and the introduction of a new chief executive officer; moreover, Being fired caused a deep pain similar to that experienced during bereavement. In some socio-political contexts, the political climate can influence the role of a Chief Nurse Executive: political membership, whether implicit or explicit, is considered of great value. In other contexts, the Chief Nurse Executives' value is based on professional competences and achieved outcomes. At times of changes in the political climate, the peculiarities of the specific socio-political context should be evaluated as to whether one should anticipate his/her resignation or not.

Transportation system and the city: What the urban transport reform should be

The analysis of the main provisions of the transportation system reform programs in the Russian cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg allows the authors to conclude that some of the items in the documents do not fully satisfy the systemic approach to the definition of city and the role of transport in it. Based on the literature review and the benchmarking of best practices of the urban transportation reforms in different countries, the authors established inter-relations between urban transport and other elements of the city — economy, ecology, society and spatial planning. With regards to the identified inter-relations, possible consequences of policy decisions were investigated. These consequences are to be considered in the formulation of the urban transportation reform program. The article concludes with the necessity to include in the urban transportation reform program not only indices related to the development of public transport but also those which define the development of other elements of the city — economy, ecology, society and spatial planning.

Effectiveness Measurement Using DEA & BSC Methods in Public Health Services

Abstract It is well-known that health-care systems all over the world try to improve efficiency and effectiveness due to high pressure to pursue rational performance. Many of the health-care reforms in different countries are conducted with the objectives to rationalise costs, to make health services more available, and to increase, or at least not to reduce, the quality of health services. Adequate efficient metrics used in assessing health-care services are critical for the quality of decision-making. The subject of this research is efficiency measurement in the institutes of public health in Croatia oriented to preventive activities, i.e. monitoring, analysis, and evaluation of the health of the population. Diversity of the programmes and temporal variability are the characteristics of public health services, and it is therefore harder to measure the effects in the long run. This research aims to analyse and propose a new approach to the measurement system using two methods: the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Balanced Score Card (BSC), combined into the DEABSC integrative model, which can be an efficient method for the decision-making process. The starting point of this research is the analysis of the measurement system in public-health services in Croatia. The results confirm a weak and inadequate efficiency measurement system and very low effectiveness measurement. To enhance the efficiency measurement, we have developed the conceptual integrative DEABSC model which has been tested at the Teaching Institute of Public Health – the Department of Health Ecology. Using DEA for 2017, we have identified relatively efficient units that helped establish future goals set in the BSC strategic map. The combination of DEA and BSC allows identifying options for improving the effectiveness of public-health service programmes. The study confirms that it is possible to determine the relative efficiency of different DMUs within the Department of Health Ecology and use best practice for each perspective in the BSC Cause & Effect conceptual model. This paper also provides recommendations for an easier establishment of performance measurement in order to achieve the mission of public health institutions, but also indicates some limitations in the application of the methods.

Features of modern models of public administration

The emergence of the latest nature of public administration is one of the main instruments for the approval of a public governance model, which implies the need to replace bureaucratic mechanisms with socially-oriented market relations.
 Level of scientific reflection there is an expansion of the range of applicability of existing concepts and the development of new, increasing hybridization of public administration systems.
 The purpose of the article is to identify features and generalized characteristics of the main models of public administration and to formulate proposals for the formation of the most optimal model of public administration in accordance with the stages of transformation of the domestic society.
 Old Public Management – the classic bureaucratic form of organization described by Max Weber as the ideal type of rational form of government based on the principle of law-making, with a high level of predictability for both policy in general and for citizens.
 New Public Management is a modern model of public administration reform. An important place within the framework of this model is the concept of Digital Government, Network model of government, Anti-crisis Public Administration, Open Government Partnership.
 It should be noted that in the "pure" form, these models of public administration are almost never found in any country in the world, although this or that set of elements of certain models is introduced into the practice of modern state regulation. In the majority of foreign countries there is currently a certain tendency towards convergence, a kind of diffusion of various approaches to public administration.
 From the elements of these concepts one can form the theoretical basis for the "ideal model" of public administration, which can then be used to study administrative reforms in different countries.
 The main essential features of the "ideal model" of a public administration model are to justify the following: implementation of the concept of "good" public administration as part of the Good Governance model, system simplification of legislation (as one of the elements and inherent tools of a "new" public management model), reduction the total number and narrowing of segments of the subject-object area of ​​public administration with the transfer of public functions and public authority by the public administration, ensuring subsidiarity in public-private services development, public-private partnership development, de-bureaucratization and de-concentration of public sector entities, activation of the interaction of public administration and other types of social management, realization and progressive development of the concept of "electronic state", significant increase of requirements for transparency and accountability of public administration, development tools of public administration, increase the variety of their modifications and complication of their combinations, implementation of the concept of management of results, increase ting susceptibility and complementarity against the public interest.

Distributional Impacts of Climate Mitigation Policies - A Meta-Analysis

Understanding the distributional impacts of market-based climate policies is crucial to design economically efficient climate change mitigation policies that are socially acceptable and avoid adverse impacts on the poor. Empirical studies that examine the distributional impacts of carbon pricing and fossil fuel subsidy reforms in different countries arrive at ambiguous results. To systematically determine the sources of variation between these outcomes, we apply an ordered probit meta-analysis framework. Based on a comprehensive, systematic and transparent screening of the literature, our sample comprises 53 empirical studies containing 183 effects in 39 countries. Results indicate a significantly increased likelihood of progressive distributional outcomes for studies on lower income countries and transport sector policies. The same applies to study designs that consider indirect effects, behavioral adjustments of consumers or lifetime income proxies. Future research on different types of revenue recycling schemes and lower income countries would further contribute to the literature.

(Prerequisites for the Development of Social Entrepreneurship in Bulgaria)

Russian Abstract: Введение инновационных идей в публичную политику имееет решающее значение в поддержке ценностей одной активной, ориентированной на решение проблем, социальной системы. Эти мнения лежат в основе протекающих социальных реформ в разных странах и направлены на развитие социального предпринимательства и роль социальных предприниматетелей. Внимание направлено на то, что именно социальные предприниматели имеют способность использовать различные ресурсы – человеческий капитал, здания и оборудование, находить гибкие подходы удовлетворения социальных нужд, необходимые соответствующей группе людей. English Abstract: Introduction of innovative ideas in public policy has a decisive value in supporting values of one active, decision-oriented problems, social system. These opinions are the basis for the ongoing social reforms in different countries and aimed at the development of social entrepreneurship and the role of social entrepreneurs. Attention aimed at the fact that it is social entrepreneurs that have the ability use various resources - human capital, buildings and equipment, find flexible approaches to meet social needs, necessary for the relevant group of people

Should securities regulation promote equity crowdfunding?

In this paper, we show that too strong investor protection may harm small firms and entrepreneurial initiatives, which contrasts with the traditional “law and finance” view that stronger investor protection is better. This situation is particularly relevant in equity crowdfunding, which refers to a recent financial innovation originating on the Internet that targets small and innovative firms. In many jurisdictions, securities regulation offers exemptions to prospectus and registration requirements. We provide an into-depth discussion of recent regulatory reforms in different countries and discuss how they may impact equity crowdfunding. Building on a theoretical framework, we show that optimal regulation depends on the availability of an alternative early-stage financing such as venture capital and angel finance. Finally, we offer exploratory evidence from Germany on the impact of securities regulation on small business finance.

Закордонний досвід проведення регуляторних реформ та застосування «регуляторної гільйотини»

У статті розглядається закордонний досвід проведення регуляторних реформ. Особливу увагу приділено аналізу досвіду та результатів застосування «регуляторної гільйотини» як одного з різновидів регуляторних реформ. Автори аналізують основні передумови та результати регуляторних реформ, а також їх вплив на вдосконалення державного управління, створення сприятливих умов для розвитку підприємництва, формування позитивного інвестиційного іміджу. Певним чином проведення регуляторних реформ стало стандартом як для країн із розвинутою економікою, так і для країн, що розвиваються та намагаються зайняти своє місце на одному щаблі із найбільш розвинутими країнами світу. Дослідження закордонного досвіду проведення регуляторних реформ у різних кранах світу дозволяє зробити висновки, що основою подібних регуляторних реформ є створення спеціальної системи розроблення та прийняття особливого різновиду нормативно-правових актів – регуляторних актів. На відміну від більшості нормативно-правових актів регуляторні акти, ще на етапі проекту, мають супроводжуватися оцінкою або аналізом регуляторного впливу, в якому наводиться вичерпна інформація про можливі позитивні або негативні наслідки від запровадження державного регулювання. Подібні регулювання приймаються лише у випадку, коли загальні вигоди від регулювання переважають загальні витрати від його запровадження. Автори надають рекомендації щодо використання закордонного досвіду в Україні.