Suchergebnisse

The paper reviews the theoretical and empirical issues on the measurement of the impacts of the performance of the improved highway infrastructure. It focuses on experience with the notion of the assessment of so called direct benefits associated with the investments rather than the estimation of the indirect ones in context of so popular in practice cost-benefit analysis generating a huge literature in its own right. Raising the issues of validity of the intervention of governments into economics in terms of social justice, the concept of public alternative costs is discussed. Concluding that the inadequate usage of public resources for the formation and development of highway infrastructure may have negative consequences on the dynamics and tendencies of the development of other economic sectors, the question of an adequate, socially and economically reasonable assessment of development is raised. Despite the fact that the cost-benefit analysis is the method by which this concept of efficiency can be applied to publicly supplied good it lacks clarity. In fact, the intangible costs and benefits never enter the analysis. It is suited only for ranking courses of action designed to attain the same ends so the real benefits of decisions will be speculative and uncertain. Taking into account the complexity of the interaction the authors of the article focus on the research of the methodological framework of the evaluation of the benefits of the public in the result highway system modification. The research is based on the improvement of the simplified general equilibrium model which focuses at the price effects of direct changes in transport costs and their measurement. The research results may answer the question if the accomplishment of tasks set for the system or its parts meet the society (which uses or is a neighbor to that infrastructure )needs. Other aspects are going to be excluded from this initial investigation. [.]

The paper reviews the theoretical and empirical issues on the measurement of the impacts of the performance of the improved highway infrastructure. It focuses on experience with the notion of the assessment of so called direct benefits associated with the investments rather than the estimation of the indirect ones in context of so popular in practice cost-benefit analysis generating a huge literature in its own right. Raising the issues of validity of the intervention of governments into economics in terms of social justice, the concept of public alternative costs is discussed. Concluding that the inadequate usage of public resources for the formation and development of highway infrastructure may have negative consequences on the dynamics and tendencies of the development of other economic sectors, the question of an adequate, socially and economically reasonable assessment of development is raised. Despite the fact that the cost-benefit analysis is the method by which this concept of efficiency can be applied to publicly supplied good it lacks clarity. In fact, the intangible costs and benefits never enter the analysis. It is suited only for ranking courses of action designed to attain the same ends so the real benefits of decisions will be speculative and uncertain. Taking into account the complexity of the interaction the authors of the article focus on the research of the methodological framework of the evaluation of the benefits of the public in the result highway system modification. The research is based on the improvement of the simplified general equilibrium model which focuses at the price effects of direct changes in transport costs and their measurement. The research results may answer the question if the accomplishment of tasks set for the system or its parts meet the society (which uses or is a neighbor to that infrastructure )needs. Other aspects are going to be excluded from this initial investigation. [.]

The paper reviews the theoretical and empirical issues on the measurement of the impacts of the performance of the improved highway infrastructure. It focuses on experience with the notion of the assessment of so called direct benefits associated with the investments rather than the estimation of the indirect ones in context of so popular in practice cost-benefit analysis generating a huge literature in its own right. Raising the issues of validity of the intervention of governments into economics in terms of social justice, the concept of public alternative costs is discussed. Concluding that the inadequate usage of public resources for the formation and development of highway infrastructure may have negative consequences on the dynamics and tendencies of the development of other economic sectors, the question of an adequate, socially and economically reasonable assessment of development is raised. Despite the fact that the cost-benefit analysis is the method by which this concept of efficiency can be applied to publicly supplied good it lacks clarity. In fact, the intangible costs and benefits never enter the analysis. It is suited only for ranking courses of action designed to attain the same ends so the real benefits of decisions will be speculative and uncertain. Taking into account the complexity of the interaction the authors of the article focus on the research of the methodological framework of the evaluation of the benefits of the public in the result highway system modification. The research is based on the improvement of the simplified general equilibrium model which focuses at the price effects of direct changes in transport costs and their measurement. The research results may answer the question if the accomplishment of tasks set for the system or its parts meet the society (which uses or is a neighbor to that infrastructure )needs. Other aspects are going to be excluded from this initial investigation. [.]

The paper reviews the theoretical and empirical issues on the measurement of the impacts of the performance of the improved highway infrastructure. It focuses on experience with the notion of the assessment of so called direct benefits associated with the investments rather than the estimation of the indirect ones in context of so popular in practice cost-benefit analysis generating a huge literature in its own right. Raising the issues of validity of the intervention of governments into economics in terms of social justice, the concept of public alternative costs is discussed. Concluding that the inadequate usage of public resources for the formation and development of highway infrastructure may have negative consequences on the dynamics and tendencies of the development of other economic sectors, the question of an adequate, socially and economically reasonable assessment of development is raised. Despite the fact that the cost-benefit analysis is the method by which this concept of efficiency can be applied to publicly supplied good it lacks clarity. In fact, the intangible costs and benefits never enter the analysis. It is suited only for ranking courses of action designed to attain the same ends so the real benefits of decisions will be speculative and uncertain. Taking into account the complexity of the interaction the authors of the article focus on the research of the methodological framework of the evaluation of the benefits of the public in the result highway system modification. The research is based on the improvement of the simplified general equilibrium model which focuses at the price effects of direct changes in transport costs and their measurement. The research results may answer the question if the accomplishment of tasks set for the system or its parts meet the society (which uses or is a neighbor to that infrastructure )needs. Other aspects are going to be excluded from this initial investigation. [.]

Public transport is a key element of sustainable transport in medium and large cities. Therefore, it is important that city residents want to use it. This paper aims to determine the criteria of the public transport infrastructure which have the most influence on passenger satisfaction with the public transport system. The criteria of public transport infrastructure of stops, vehicles, and route network were analysed. The primary attention was focused on rating these criteria from the most to the least important one. The analysis of scientific papers, specialized literature, Europe Union regulations, Lithuanian legislation, and recommendations was used to explore the necessary criteria that have a significant effect on the popularity of public transport, its functionality and gives a reference on how to raise the willingness of the citizens to use public transport. The experts (14 experts were involved) and social surveys (440 respondents were involved) were used to identify the evaluation criteria of public transport infrastructure and to investigate the state of these criteria. These criteria were grouped into three larger groups according to their nature (public transport infrastructure of stops, vehicles and route network) and were rated and prioritized by the multi-criteria analysis. The results reflect the priorities of criteria parameters of public transport infrastructure. The results show that when investing in public transport infrastructure, the main priority should be attributed to the infrastructure elements, such as public transport priority in the streets, then shelters, lighting, cleanness of bus stops and vehicles, which are physically appreciable. These parameters have the most significant impact on improving the level of service of public transport infrastructure in urban areas.

Public transport is a key element of sustainable transport in medium and large cities. Therefore, it is important that city residents want to use it. This paper aims to determine the criteria of the public transport infrastructure which have the most influence on passenger satisfaction with the public transport system. The criteria of public transport infrastructure of stops, vehicles, and route network were analysed. The primary attention was focused on rating these criteria from the most to the least important one. The analysis of scientific papers, specialized literature, Europe Union regulations, Lithuanian legislation, and recommendations was used to explore the necessary criteria that have a significant effect on the popularity of public transport, its functionality and gives a reference on how to raise the willingness of the citizens to use public transport. The experts (14 experts were involved) and social surveys (440 respondents were involved) were used to identify the evaluation criteria of public transport infrastructure and to investigate the state of these criteria. These criteria were grouped into three larger groups according to their nature (public transport infrastructure of stops, vehicles and route network) and were rated and prioritized by the multi-criteria analysis. The results reflect the priorities of criteria parameters of public transport infrastructure. The results show that when investing in public transport infrastructure, the main priority should be attributed to the infrastructure elements, such as public transport priority in the streets, then shelters, lighting, cleanness of bus stops and vehicles, which are physically appreciable. These parameters have the most significant impact on improving the level of service of public transport infrastructure in urban areas.

There is quite a number of articles and studies on public administration ethics, nevertheless, one important element is missing in the context of research of public administration ethics and that is ethics infrastructure. There are no many investigations into the ethics infrastructure of public administration in Lithuania and if there are any, they are of general character and touch upon the ethics infrastructure of public administration in Lithuania and its basic elements only in general outline. This is the reason why the ethics infrastructure of public administration in Lithuania and the basic elements of its macro level have been chosen as a subject of research. It is presumed that the aforesaid ethical problems and ethical violations are also determined by the ethics infrastructure of the country's macro level. The project is aimed at ascertaining the correspondence between the elements and an ideal model, the relation between the ideal model and the actual situation of Lithuania by presenting the image of the ethics infrastructure of public administration in Lithuania. An attempt is made at giving an answer if the problems of ethics infrastructure elements cause the functional problems of macro level ethics infrastructure, which elements have effect, what gaps in problematic elements originate disfunctiality problems and how the system is functioning. The functionality is defined as correspondence to an ideal model. A dependent variable is the functionality of the macro level ethics infrastructure. Independent variables are the basic elements of the country's macro level ethics infrastructure and their condition. The following main hypotheses were put forward: 1. The functional problems of the ethics infrastructure of public administration in Lithuania are caused by some macro level elements and the main gaps in the elements determine the functional problems of the system; 2. The aspect of elements relation having effect on the system functionality is important. Both the first and the second hypothesis have been proved in the project. Correspondence between the model and actual practice exists only in two elements, i.e. in the established legal basis and the major state institutions of ethics supervision. Other elements do not function in the way it is established in the ideal model. The legal basis, i.e. the first element of the macro level ethics infrastructure, corresponds to the ideal model. The ethical standards, values and principles prescribed by acts of law of the country are also in compliance with public expectations. However, the main problem as far as this is concerned remains non-concurrence in the scales of values of the society and public servants. The element of active civil society is not well functioning, either, the society keeps away from this role and remains a passive observer. Notwithstanding a broad section of different groups, associations and non-governmental organizations, they are weak and marginal. The society still believes that ethical problems are "second-rate" and settlement of them shall be the matter of separate state institutions. The initiative is taken only by single citizens, no collective actions exist. The political leaders' attention to ethics bears the cyclical nature. Though the problems of officials and politicians' ethics are emphasized by the society (from the outside) and the politicians themselves (from the inside), the interest is not great when the ethical problems are raised only by one or another politician. Taking the model into account it may be stated that the existing possibilities are not fully used, not all the elements are included and the aforesaid gaps cause the problems that determine partial functionality of the system.

There is quite a number of articles and studies on public administration ethics, nevertheless, one important element is missing in the context of research of public administration ethics and that is ethics infrastructure. There are no many investigations into the ethics infrastructure of public administration in Lithuania and if there are any, they are of general character and touch upon the ethics infrastructure of public administration in Lithuania and its basic elements only in general outline. This is the reason why the ethics infrastructure of public administration in Lithuania and the basic elements of its macro level have been chosen as a subject of research. It is presumed that the aforesaid ethical problems and ethical violations are also determined by the ethics infrastructure of the country's macro level. The project is aimed at ascertaining the correspondence between the elements and an ideal model, the relation between the ideal model and the actual situation of Lithuania by presenting the image of the ethics infrastructure of public administration in Lithuania. An attempt is made at giving an answer if the problems of ethics infrastructure elements cause the functional problems of macro level ethics infrastructure, which elements have effect, what gaps in problematic elements originate disfunctiality problems and how the system is functioning. The functionality is defined as correspondence to an ideal model. A dependent variable is the functionality of the macro level ethics infrastructure. Independent variables are the basic elements of the country's macro level ethics infrastructure and their condition. The following main hypotheses were put forward: 1. The functional problems of the ethics infrastructure of public administration in Lithuania are caused by some macro level elements and the main gaps in the elements determine the functional problems of the system; 2. The aspect of elements relation having effect on the system functionality is important. Both the first and the second hypothesis have been proved in the project. Correspondence between the model and actual practice exists only in two elements, i.e. in the established legal basis and the major state institutions of ethics supervision. Other elements do not function in the way it is established in the ideal model. The legal basis, i.e. the first element of the macro level ethics infrastructure, corresponds to the ideal model. The ethical standards, values and principles prescribed by acts of law of the country are also in compliance with public expectations. However, the main problem as far as this is concerned remains non-concurrence in the scales of values of the society and public servants. The element of active civil society is not well functioning, either, the society keeps away from this role and remains a passive observer. Notwithstanding a broad section of different groups, associations and non-governmental organizations, they are weak and marginal. The society still believes that ethical problems are "second-rate" and settlement of them shall be the matter of separate state institutions. The initiative is taken only by single citizens, no collective actions exist. The political leaders' attention to ethics bears the cyclical nature. Though the problems of officials and politicians' ethics are emphasized by the society (from the outside) and the politicians themselves (from the inside), the interest is not great when the ethical problems are raised only by one or another politician. Taking the model into account it may be stated that the existing possibilities are not fully used, not all the elements are included and the aforesaid gaps cause the problems that determine partial functionality of the system.

Objective of the Master degree final paper – to analyze possibilities for development of water management infrastructure in Mažeikiai region referring to the survey completed by the expert regarding possibilities for development of water management infrastructure in Mažeikiai region, analysis of activities of the municipal institution responsible for water management in Mažeikiai region, analysis of the most important document regulating the development of water management in Mažeikiai region and analysis of foreign and Lithuanian scientific bibliography related to the region and infrastructure thereof. The concept of development of the region and infrastructure thereof, the essence of the regional policy of Lithuania and the European Union have been analyzed, the key elements of water management infrastructure have been provided, problems regarding the development of water management infrastructure have been highlighted in the present Master degree paper. Subject to the objective of the research and tasks set the situation of water management in Mažeikiai region has been reviewed, the SWOT analysis of water management has been completed in the present paper. The legal base regulating water management has been analyzed in a comprehensive manner. The authors of the paper have analyzed projects for development of water management infrastructure, identified institutions participating in the implementation of the projects. Factors detaining the development of water management infrastructure have been revealed in the paper. The results of the research have showed that development of water management in Mažeikiai region is not sufficient, only residents residing in the biggest towns of the region have possibility to use centralized water supply and sewage services whereas in the settlements and villages water management infrastructure is not developed resulting in economical, environmental and social problems experienced by the residents. As projects for the development of water management infrastructure are highly expensive and practically not recouping, the only possibility for the development of water management infrastructure is to obtain a financial support from the European Union.

Objective of the Master degree final paper – to analyze possibilities for development of water management infrastructure in Mažeikiai region referring to the survey completed by the expert regarding possibilities for development of water management infrastructure in Mažeikiai region, analysis of activities of the municipal institution responsible for water management in Mažeikiai region, analysis of the most important document regulating the development of water management in Mažeikiai region and analysis of foreign and Lithuanian scientific bibliography related to the region and infrastructure thereof. The concept of development of the region and infrastructure thereof, the essence of the regional policy of Lithuania and the European Union have been analyzed, the key elements of water management infrastructure have been provided, problems regarding the development of water management infrastructure have been highlighted in the present Master degree paper. Subject to the objective of the research and tasks set the situation of water management in Mažeikiai region has been reviewed, the SWOT analysis of water management has been completed in the present paper. The legal base regulating water management has been analyzed in a comprehensive manner. The authors of the paper have analyzed projects for development of water management infrastructure, identified institutions participating in the implementation of the projects. Factors detaining the development of water management infrastructure have been revealed in the paper. The results of the research have showed that development of water management in Mažeikiai region is not sufficient, only residents residing in the biggest towns of the region have possibility to use centralized water supply and sewage services whereas in the settlements and villages water management infrastructure is not developed resulting in economical, environmental and social problems experienced by the residents. As projects for the development of water management infrastructure are highly expensive and practically not recouping, the only possibility for the development of water management infrastructure is to obtain a financial support from the European Union.

National and regional geographic datasets with derivative spatial analysis techniques are often crucial for decision-making in sustainable development for both developing and developed countries. The needs in the spatial data and respective training are demonstrated in this article by the two very diverse examples of Papua New Guinea and the Republic of Lithuania national spatial data infrastructures. Handling and efficient use of geographic data requires rather specific skills. However, the existing curricula are inconsistent and hardly match even the basic needs of geographic information managers in state institutions and municipalities. The main objective of the proposed geographic information e-training system is to develop and provide the modularised Spatial Information Infrastructure courses intended for on-line based learning. This mainly will target employees of civil service and private business in Lithuania and the European Union. The proposed curriculum is a set of modular courses adding up to 1,5-year part-time studies in the field of Geographic Information Science and Geographic Information Infrastructure. Main advantage of on-line-based training is increasing accessibility in terms of both geographic location and time.

National and regional geographic datasets with derivative spatial analysis techniques are often crucial for decision-making in sustainable development for both developing and developed countries. The needs in the spatial data and respective training are demonstrated in this article by the two very diverse examples of Papua New Guinea and the Republic of Lithuania national spatial data infrastructures. Handling and efficient use of geographic data requires rather specific skills. However, the existing curricula are inconsistent and hardly match even the basic needs of geographic information managers in state institutions and municipalities. The main objective of the proposed geographic information e-training system is to develop and provide the modularised Spatial Information Infrastructure courses intended for on-line based learning. This mainly will target employees of civil service and private business in Lithuania and the European Union. The proposed curriculum is a set of modular courses adding up to 1,5-year part-time studies in the field of Geographic Information Science and Geographic Information Infrastructure. Main advantage of on-line-based training is increasing accessibility in terms of both geographic location and time.

National and regional geographic datasets with derivative spatial analysis techniques are often crucial for decision-making in sustainable development for both developing and developed countries. The needs in the spatial data and respective training are demonstrated in this article by the two very diverse examples of Papua New Guinea and the Republic of Lithuania national spatial data infrastructures. Handling and efficient use of geographic data requires rather specific skills. However, the existing curricula are inconsistent and hardly match even the basic needs of geographic information managers in state institutions and municipalities. The main objective of the proposed geographic information e-training system is to develop and provide the modularised Spatial Information Infrastructure courses intended for on-line based learning. This mainly will target employees of civil service and private business in Lithuania and the European Union. The proposed curriculum is a set of modular courses adding up to 1,5-year part-time studies in the field of Geographic Information Science and Geographic Information Infrastructure. Main advantage of on-line-based training is increasing accessibility in terms of both geographic location and time.

National and regional geographic datasets with derivative spatial analysis techniques are often crucial for decision-making in sustainable development for both developing and developed countries. The needs in the spatial data and respective training are demonstrated in this article by the two very diverse examples of Papua New Guinea and the Republic of Lithuania national spatial data infrastructures. Handling and efficient use of geographic data requires rather specific skills. However, the existing curricula are inconsistent and hardly match even the basic needs of geographic information managers in state institutions and municipalities. The main objective of the proposed geographic information e-training system is to develop and provide the modularised Spatial Information Infrastructure courses intended for on-line based learning. This mainly will target employees of civil service and private business in Lithuania and the European Union. The proposed curriculum is a set of modular courses adding up to 1,5-year part-time studies in the field of Geographic Information Science and Geographic Information Infrastructure. Main advantage of on-line-based training is increasing accessibility in terms of both geographic location and time.

The dissertation deals with main problems of the justification of urban transport systems infrastructure development solving methodological issues of preparation, selection and implementation of projects. These issues are relevant for the implementation of sustainable urban development strategy of Lithuania as a member state of the European Union. The main aim of the Research is to develop a theoretical model for the justification of urban transport systems infrastructure development by adapting the model for the identification of priorities and practical execution of construction or reconstruction projects. The following tasks have been set for implementation of the objective of the Research: to analyse the objects of the current urban transport infrastructure and their role in sustainable urban development, to define the trends for their development; to analyse the principles for justification of transport infrastructure development projects; to carry out the analysis of the assessment methods applied during the processes of justification; to develop a theoretical project justification model by defining social – economic and other characteristic assessment criteria and aspects; to test theoretical performance of the developed model through the assessment of the selected and implemented urban transport infrastructure development projects in Lithuania. The dissertation consists of Introduction, 4 chapters, Conclusions, References and 6 Annexes. The Introduction reveals the investigated problem and topicality of the problem, object of the Research is introduced, aim and tasks of the Research are formulated. Methodology of the Research, scientific novelty, practical value and defended statements are introduced. The First chapter deals with the analysis of scientific literature: the identification of concept of transport systems infrastructure of urbanized and non-urbanized territories; their modern development tendencies. The Second chapter presents the methodology of the Research: accomplished analysis of justification process of urban transport infra-structure development. The Third chapter deals with the theoretical investigation: the definition of justification process, assumptions and prepa-ration of the model. The Fourth chapter deals with principles and practical guidelines for the justification of Lithuanian urban transport systems infrastructure development and with test results of theoretical performance of the model. 15 papers focusing on the subject of the discussed disertation are published: 3 papers in the register of international data bases (1 of them – in Thomson ISI Web of Science, 2 of them – VINITI; Scopus; Elsevier), 11 papers in material reviewed during international conferences (1 of them – in Thomson ISI Proceedings), 1 paper – during national conference. 10 presentations on the subject have been given in national and international conferences.