Suchergebnisse

In this article a presently existing public administration system in Lithuania as well as the position of municipalities (subjects of local self–government) in that system are described, the features of the "real" local self–government are being formulated, potentially possible groups of problems of local self–government are distinguished and currently main problems of municipalities of Lithuania are indicated. The author of the article notes that in Lithuania up till now the concept of the "real" local self–government has not been clearly and unambiguously defined yet. That makes the formulation of target goals, tasks and means as well as their implementation developing the system of local self–government more difficult. Seeking at least partly to fill the existing gap, the author of the article formulates eight features of the "real" local self–government. Having defined the problem of local self–government as a deviation from the "normal" conditions for the functioning of the local self–government system that cause negative changes in the system, the author of the article shows the relationship between the "normal" conditions for the functioning of local self–government and the formulated features of the "real" local self–government. According to this relationship the author of the article indicates eight potentially possible groups of problems of local self–government. On the basis of the accumulated knowledge and acquired experience the author of the article points out five groups of currently particularly important problems for local self–government of Lithuania, which are conditionally named as follows: 1) suppressed independence; 2) insufficient constructiveness of the relationship among different levels of government; 3) economic problems of municipalities; 4) not involving community members in managing local affairs; 5) inertness of municipalities.

In this article a presently existing public administration system in Lithuania as well as the position of municipalities (subjects of local self–government) in that system are described, the features of the "real" local self–government are being formulated, potentially possible groups of problems of local self–government are distinguished and currently main problems of municipalities of Lithuania are indicated. The author of the article notes that in Lithuania up till now the concept of the "real" local self–government has not been clearly and unambiguously defined yet. That makes the formulation of target goals, tasks and means as well as their implementation developing the system of local self–government more difficult. Seeking at least partly to fill the existing gap, the author of the article formulates eight features of the "real" local self–government. Having defined the problem of local self–government as a deviation from the "normal" conditions for the functioning of the local self–government system that cause negative changes in the system, the author of the article shows the relationship between the "normal" conditions for the functioning of local self–government and the formulated features of the "real" local self–government. According to this relationship the author of the article indicates eight potentially possible groups of problems of local self–government. On the basis of the accumulated knowledge and acquired experience the author of the article points out five groups of currently particularly important problems for local self–government of Lithuania, which are conditionally named as follows: 1) suppressed independence; 2) insufficient constructiveness of the relationship among different levels of government; 3) economic problems of municipalities; 4) not involving community members in managing local affairs; 5) inertness of municipalities.

The methods for change detection and management published in the scientific literature are often of empirical nature and are not suitable for the analysis of the particular situations, whereas local governments are a specific object of analysis. Furthermore, many scholars interpret the content of a strategic change quite differently. This shows that the methodology of strategic change analysis is not fully developed. Therefore, further issues of strategic change management, which would consider the specifics of an organization, are very important. The aim of the article is to discuss the specifics of the strategic changes in local governments (local government institutions), describe their types, and evaluate the operational changes. The paper presents the concept of strategic change and distinguishes the levels of strategic changes according to their importance for the local governments. It describes strategic changes in the local governments and their need on the political, organizational potential development, and action levels. The article evaluates the strategic changes in the local governments at the level of their activities. The local governments can implement the strategic changes on the political and action levels. They are not procedural, but oriented to activity. Organizational potential development and functional changes are more common at the local government institutions. These changes are procedural and can be strategic and operational. It is not possible to. [to full text]

The methods for change detection and management published in the scientific literature are often of empirical nature and are not suitable for the analysis of the particular situations, whereas local governments are a specific object of analysis. Furthermore, many scholars interpret the content of a strategic change quite differently. This shows that the methodology of strategic change analysis is not fully developed. Therefore, further issues of strategic change management, which would consider the specifics of an organization, are very important. The aim of the article is to discuss the specifics of the strategic changes in local governments (local government institutions), describe their types, and evaluate the operational changes. The paper presents the concept of strategic change and distinguishes the levels of strategic changes according to their importance for the local governments. It describes strategic changes in the local governments and their need on the political, organizational potential development, and action levels. The article evaluates the strategic changes in the local governments at the level of their activities. The local governments can implement the strategic changes on the political and action levels. They are not procedural, but oriented to activity. Organizational potential development and functional changes are more common at the local government institutions. These changes are procedural and can be strategic and operational. It is not possible to. [to full text]

The purpose of the Master's Paper is to review the peculiarities of the Local Governments' financial system functioning and the associated theoretical and practical problems. The paper consists of four parts, in which the essential aspects of the topic are considered. In the first part the concept of the local governments' financial system functioning, its methods and forms are introduced. The institutions, whose purpose is to put into practice the above-mentioned financial activity are presented and its specific functions are defined. The definition of pecuniary funds, whose aim is to accumulate the local governments' money resources, is also given in this part. At the beginning of the second part the concept of the local governments' budget as the basis of any local governments' pecuniary fund is introduced. Then the sources of the local governments' budget revenue and the ways of spending the pecuniary funds are explained. At the end of this part I tried to define the problems of balancing out the local governments' budgets and to show the ways how to solve these problems. The aim of the third part of the paper is to discuss the process of the formation of the local governments' budget. The methods and principals of forming the budgets are presented and the order of formation, confirmation and implementation are introduced here in detail. The accountability and control of the implementation of the budget as the important means of the financial clearness are discussed here as well. The purpose of the fourth part is to review the loans as they are very important to balance the local governments' budgets and to sponsor certain projects. The concept of the loans is introduced and the subjects, from whom the local governments can borrow are defined. The limits for loans and the problem of the local governments' bonds, which give an extra opportunity for loans are mentioned at the end of the fourth part. In the last part the conclusions are given, which were formulated considering the results of the analysis of the local governments' financial system done in this paper.

The purpose of the Master's Paper is to review the peculiarities of the Local Governments' financial system functioning and the associated theoretical and practical problems. The paper consists of four parts, in which the essential aspects of the topic are considered. In the first part the concept of the local governments' financial system functioning, its methods and forms are introduced. The institutions, whose purpose is to put into practice the above-mentioned financial activity are presented and its specific functions are defined. The definition of pecuniary funds, whose aim is to accumulate the local governments' money resources, is also given in this part. At the beginning of the second part the concept of the local governments' budget as the basis of any local governments' pecuniary fund is introduced. Then the sources of the local governments' budget revenue and the ways of spending the pecuniary funds are explained. At the end of this part I tried to define the problems of balancing out the local governments' budgets and to show the ways how to solve these problems. The aim of the third part of the paper is to discuss the process of the formation of the local governments' budget. The methods and principals of forming the budgets are presented and the order of formation, confirmation and implementation are introduced here in detail. The accountability and control of the implementation of the budget as the important means of the financial clearness are discussed here as well. The purpose of the fourth part is to review the loans as they are very important to balance the local governments' budgets and to sponsor certain projects. The concept of the loans is introduced and the subjects, from whom the local governments can borrow are defined. The limits for loans and the problem of the local governments' bonds, which give an extra opportunity for loans are mentioned at the end of the fourth part. In the last part the conclusions are given, which were formulated considering the results of the analysis of the local governments' financial system done in this paper.

The purpose of the Master's Paper is to review the peculiarities of the Local Governments' financial system functioning and the associated theoretical and practical problems. The paper consists of four parts, in which the essential aspects of the topic are considered. In the first part the concept of the local governments' financial system functioning, its methods and forms are introduced. The institutions, whose purpose is to put into practice the above-mentioned financial activity are presented and its specific functions are defined. The definition of pecuniary funds, whose aim is to accumulate the local governments' money resources, is also given in this part. At the beginning of the second part the concept of the local governments' budget as the basis of any local governments' pecuniary fund is introduced. Then the sources of the local governments' budget revenue and the ways of spending the pecuniary funds are explained. At the end of this part I tried to define the problems of balancing out the local governments' budgets and to show the ways how to solve these problems. The aim of the third part of the paper is to discuss the process of the formation of the local governments' budget. The methods and principals of forming the budgets are presented and the order of formation, confirmation and implementation are introduced here in detail. The accountability and control of the implementation of the budget as the important means of the financial clearness are discussed here as well. The purpose of the fourth part is to review the loans as they are very important to balance the local governments' budgets and to sponsor certain projects. The concept of the loans is introduced and the subjects, from whom the local governments can borrow are defined. The limits for loans and the problem of the local governments' bonds, which give an extra opportunity for loans are mentioned at the end of the fourth part. In the last part the conclusions are given, which were formulated considering the results of the analysis of the local governments' financial system done in this paper.

The purpose of the Master's Paper is to review the peculiarities of the Local Governments' financial system functioning and the associated theoretical and practical problems. The paper consists of four parts, in which the essential aspects of the topic are considered. In the first part the concept of the local governments' financial system functioning, its methods and forms are introduced. The institutions, whose purpose is to put into practice the above-mentioned financial activity are presented and its specific functions are defined. The definition of pecuniary funds, whose aim is to accumulate the local governments' money resources, is also given in this part. At the beginning of the second part the concept of the local governments' budget as the basis of any local governments' pecuniary fund is introduced. Then the sources of the local governments' budget revenue and the ways of spending the pecuniary funds are explained. At the end of this part I tried to define the problems of balancing out the local governments' budgets and to show the ways how to solve these problems. The aim of the third part of the paper is to discuss the process of the formation of the local governments' budget. The methods and principals of forming the budgets are presented and the order of formation, confirmation and implementation are introduced here in detail. The accountability and control of the implementation of the budget as the important means of the financial clearness are discussed here as well. The purpose of the fourth part is to review the loans as they are very important to balance the local governments' budgets and to sponsor certain projects. The concept of the loans is introduced and the subjects, from whom the local governments can borrow are defined. The limits for loans and the problem of the local governments' bonds, which give an extra opportunity for loans are mentioned at the end of the fourth part. In the last part the conclusions are given, which were formulated considering the results of the analysis of the local governments' financial system done in this paper.

The aims of this article are to describe the fundamental connection between State government, counties and municipalities and to expose peculiarities of interaction of State government subjects and Local Self-government institutions. The survey method is grounded on the systemic research and analysis of the Lithuanian legal acts: Law on the Local Self-government, Law on the Governing of the County and Law on the Regional Development. The main conclusions of the article are following: a) the objects, functions and responsibility of Regional institutions and Counties are separated by legal acts, but in fact Regional institutions and Counties are indivisible unit; b) in reality municipalities become subordinate to the State government and restraint from Self-government institutions appreciable by limited liberty of decision making and finance resources, and intensive state inspection of procedures; c) there is not fully realized principle of decentralization. In the future State government system and Local Self-government reforms could take the way of self-governmental regions making and the power, functions and decision making competence of municipalities could be extended

The aims of this article are to describe the fundamental connection between State government, counties and municipalities and to expose peculiarities of interaction of State government subjects and Local Self-government institutions. The survey method is grounded on the systemic research and analysis of the Lithuanian legal acts: Law on the Local Self-government, Law on the Governing of the County and Law on the Regional Development. The main conclusions of the article are following: a) the objects, functions and responsibility of Regional institutions and Counties are separated by legal acts, but in fact Regional institutions and Counties are indivisible unit; b) in reality municipalities become subordinate to the State government and restraint from Self-government institutions appreciable by limited liberty of decision making and finance resources, and intensive state inspection of procedures; c) there is not fully realized principle of decentralization. In the future State government system and Local Self-government reforms could take the way of self-governmental regions making and the power, functions and decision making competence of municipalities could be extended

The aims of this article are to describe the fundamental connection between State government, counties and municipalities and to expose peculiarities of interaction of State government subjects and Local Self-government institutions. The survey method is grounded on the systemic research and analysis of the Lithuanian legal acts: Law on the Local Self-government, Law on the Governing of the County and Law on the Regional Development. The main conclusions of the article are following: a) the objects, functions and responsibility of Regional institutions and Counties are separated by legal acts, but in fact Regional institutions and Counties are indivisible unit; b) in reality municipalities become subordinate to the State government and restraint from Self-government institutions appreciable by limited liberty of decision making and finance resources, and intensive state inspection of procedures; c) there is not fully realized principle of decentralization. In the future State government system and Local Self-government reforms could take the way of self-governmental regions making and the power, functions and decision making competence of municipalities could be extended. ; Straipsnyje nagrinėjami centrinių valstybės valdymo subjektų ir savivaldybių sąveikos ypatumai, regioninės valstybės politikos ir vietos savivaldos santykis, apskričių sąsajos su savivaldybėmis bei vietos gyventojais. Išanalizavus Lietuvos Respublikos vietos savivaldos, Regioninės plėtros ir Apskrities valdymo įstatymus, teigiama, jog santykiai tarp valstybės valdymo subjektų ir savivaldybių yra grįsti įvairialype ir detalia kontrole, varžančia savivaldos plėtojimą; regionai ir apskritys institucijų požiūriu egzistuoja kaip nedalomas vienetas, todėl tarp valstybės valdymo ir savivaldos sistemų egzistuoja Konstitucijoje nenumatyti pavaldumo ryšiai; pažeidžiamas subsidiarumo principas: Apskrities valdymo įstatymas nustato konkrečius santykius su pavieniais gyventojais ne jų pačių, bet valstybės iniciatyva. Straipsnyje pateiktas teorinis sisteminis valstybės valdymo modelis. Jame patobulinti valstybės institucijų bei savivaldybių ryšiai, supaprastinti gyventojų bei valdžios institucijų santykiai.

This article argues that the local government capacities and local government performance in Europe clearly rank this continent to the most developed world areas from the point of local democracy. The background factors explaining this situation have a multidimensional character and one can identify as core positive factors the relative economic wealth, high human development, the long historical tradition of the subsidiarity principle in most parts of Europe, and the regulatory function of the Council of Europe. The strong development of local and regional democracy in Europe is protected and based on the principles of European Charter of Local Self Government. However, this does not mean that everything is perfect in Europe and that there would be no challenges to be addressed. It is difficult to define clear common weaknesses of the local democracy in Europe. We need to mention the core structural challenges here, for instance the continuous discussion about amalgamation versus fragmentation. Most countries also indicate one overarching threat to the local democracy in Europe today, that is, the financial crisis, which significantly decreased the level of available financial resources for self-governments, while the structure of responsibilities remains the same or even increases. Another core threat visible in many European countries is the trend toward re-centralization or limited real will do continue with decentralization in, both in established and emerging democracies. Regional issues differ, and we mention especially the situation of post-communist countries, where local democracy does not have a long tradition and still needs to be revitalized. ; Straipsnyje įrodoma, jog vietos valdžios gebėjimai ir veiklumas Europoje leidžia aiškiai laikyti šį žemyną kaip labiausiai pažengusį vietos savialdos srityje. Kontekstiniai veiksniai, paaiškinantys šią situaciją, yra daugiadimensiniai – kaip esminius teigiamus veiksnius galima išskirti santykinę ekonominę gerovę, aukštą žmogaus raidos indeksą, ilgą istorinę subsidiarumo principo daugelyje Europos šalių tradiciją ir reguliacinę Europos Tarybos funkciją. Nuoseklus vietos ir regioninės demokratijos Europoje vystymasis yra ginamas ir grindžiamas Europos Tarybos priimtoje Europos vietos savivaldos chartijos principais. Europos Taryba, be daugelio kitų veiklų, reguliariai vykdo stebėsenos vizitus į visa šalis nares, kurių metu tikrina vietos ir regioninės demokratijos situaciją. Šie vizitai yra svarbi ir efektyvi visų Europos šalių vyriausybių motyvavimo stiprinti Chartijos principais pagrįstą vietos demokratiją priemonė. Tačiau tai nereiškia, jog Europoje viskas tobula ir kad nėra jokių iššūkių, į kuriuos reikėtų reaguoti. Yra sunku aiškiai apibrėžti bendrus vietos demokratijos trūkumus Europoje. Tačiau reikia paminėti, jog kaip vieną esminių struktūrinių iššūkių galima išskirti nepertraukiamą diskusiją apie suvienijimą versus fragmentaciją. Dauguma šalių kaip vieną svarbiausių grėsmių vietos demokratijai šiandienos Europoje nurodo finansinę krizę, kuri žymiai sumažino vietos valdžiai prieinamų finansinių išteklių lygį, nors atsakomybė išlieka tokia pati ar net didesnė, tuo pačiu neabejotinai didėja ir poreikiai. Kita daugumoje Europos šalių pastebima esminė grėsmė yra recentralizacijos arba ribotos valios tęsti decentralizaciją tiek išsivysčiusiose, tiek besivystančiose demokratijose, tendencija. Regioninės problemos yra skirtingos, ypač situacija pokomunistinėse šalyse, neturinčiose ilgos vietos demokratijos tradicijos, kuri turi būti gaivinama iš naujo. Dar daugiau, centrinė valdžia kai kuriose NVS šalyse visiškai nėra linkusi propaguoti decentralizacijos idėją kaip oficialią nacionalinę politiką (ypač Baltarusija ir Azerbaidžanas).

Fiscal decentralization creates preconditions for a more rapid socio-economic regional development; however, it may lead to financial difficulties in regions. Some municipalities are unable to collect revenues, are lacking funds to finance their main activities and perform functions delegated by the state. Recently the issue of public sector budget management and administration has started causing troubles and become relevant. Problems related to the structure and functioning of local government budgets have not been sufficiently analyzed in economics literature. The role of local government is very important for the life of the state; local government funds make up the biggest part of the public sector funds. It has been noticed recently that local governments have been facing financial difficulties. Regional disparities became evident after Lithuania's accession to the EU because region centres are less attractive and competitive than the major cities, are raising less funds and attracting less investment. Insufficient funding of local governments results in poor urban, transport, community, etc. environment and infrastructure. Research into municipality budgets may give light to the causes of regional disparities. Research aim: to evaluate expenses, revenues and debts of local government budgets in 2002–2010. Data on local government budgets are analysed in the paper. The period of 2002-2010 was chosen because the main political and economic changes happened in Lithuania (accession to the EU, economic rise and decline) and fluctuations and general trends in local government budgets appeared. Local government expenditures, revenues (from taxes, non-taxes and grants) and debts per capita were compared. The dynamics of these financial indicators and the structure of revenues were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed, variation coefficients, the Williamson index and the arithmetic average were calculated. [.]

Fiscal decentralization creates preconditions for a more rapid socio-economic regional development; however, it may lead to financial difficulties in regions. Some municipalities are unable to collect revenues, are lacking funds to finance their main activities and perform functions delegated by the state. Recently the issue of public sector budget management and administration has started causing troubles and become relevant. Problems related to the structure and functioning of local government budgets have not been sufficiently analyzed in economics literature. The role of local government is very important for the life of the state; local government funds make up the biggest part of the public sector funds. It has been noticed recently that local governments have been facing financial difficulties. Regional disparities became evident after Lithuania's accession to the EU because region centres are less attractive and competitive than the major cities, are raising less funds and attracting less investment. Insufficient funding of local governments results in poor urban, transport, community, etc. environment and infrastructure. Research into municipality budgets may give light to the causes of regional disparities. Research aim: to evaluate expenses, revenues and debts of local government budgets in 2002–2010. Data on local government budgets are analysed in the paper. The period of 2002-2010 was chosen because the main political and economic changes happened in Lithuania (accession to the EU, economic rise and decline) and fluctuations and general trends in local government budgets appeared. Local government expenditures, revenues (from taxes, non-taxes and grants) and debts per capita were compared. The dynamics of these financial indicators and the structure of revenues were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed, variation coefficients, the Williamson index and the arithmetic average were calculated. [.]

This paper is aimed to scrutinize e-services provided by local government and based on EU and Lithuanian standards as well as to define their development perspectives. Trying to evaluate the possibilities of e-services, the analysis of EU and national legal acts, therewith a statistical data, proving that citizens are ready to use e-services, is presented. Furthermore, evaluating present slub of e-services provided by local government a survey on municipalities' websites and e-services' quantity and maturity level is delivered. Taking into account Lithuanian membership in the European Union a comparative information on EU and Lithuanian e-services provided by municipalities is presented in this paper. To estimate a possible development perspectives of e-services, one of the most popular services - the request and delivery of certificates – is delineated and analysed. According to the propositions made, the possibilities of the citizens as well as state institutions, therein municipalities, to use e-services are constantly developing. However, the potential of municipal governments is not sufficiently availed. Therefore, main reason for this particular inefficient process could be a scant attention of municipalities as well as lack of ununanimous concept on e-services provided by municipalities for citizens on the national level.