Strategic management for regional economic development and business sustainability : countries in transition

Purpose: The aim of this research paper is focusing on strategic management approach toward balanced regional economic development (RED) in transition countries. The specific aim of the research is to develop an strategic model for regional economic development in Kosovo that will positively impact and support the business environment as well impacting the overall development of the country through coordinated project management and synergy creation among the communities, local authorities and businesses. Design/Methodology/Approach: The article used a mixed-methodological approach including both qualitative and quantitative data collection and appraisal, which included desk review covering existing literature at national and international level, semi-structured interviews with key, group discussions, relevant reports and other related documents. Findings: Policies and strategies actually leave a gap at the regional level. Most of regions and municipalities lack the capacities to create an effective environment for private sector development and job creation for all communities. There is some dissatisfaction among stakeholders regarding the functioning of existing regional development structures and processes. Neither the Regional Development Agencies (RDA) nor central body recognized as Association of Regional Development Agencies (ARDA) have achieved a satisfactory level of cooperation among themselves, and with their key stakeholders. Practical Implications: The future approach to RED should be based on balanced distribution of responsibilities between the central and local government levels with clear roles and responsibilities. The central government enables the environment and designs the legal framework. A central liaison body facilitates coordination between the regions and municipalities together with regional development agencies who establish solid linkages with the private business sector to develop and implement interventions. Originality/Value: The research aims to establish the regional economic development model that will serve as one stop shop at regions supporting the business development and increasing employability in the country.peer-reviewe

The role of leadership and strategic decision on regional development in developing countries

Purpose: This research paper is focusing on the role of leadership and strategic approach for the best institutional model toward balanced regional economic development (RED) in developing countries. The research paper examines the cohesion among leadership models and decision making structures toward strategic model for regional economic development in Kosovo. Final purpose is setting up the suitable decision making structure across all regions in the country that through proactive and authentic leadership, as well effective institutional structures creates capacity in each region for better utilization of the resources. Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper methodology used a mixed-methodological approach including both qualitative and quantitative data collection and appraisal, which included desk review covering existing literature at national and international level, semistructured interviews with key stakeholders, relevant reports and other related documents. Findings: The research paper has finded that there are significant relationships among leadership role, organizational structures and regional development. Acording to the paper a suitable leadership model followed by responsible institutional framework and decision making structures is usualy the most important factor influencing growth at the regions. Actually in Kosovo regions and municipalities lack the capacities to create an effective environment for private sector development and job creation for all communities. The paper analysis shows that both-leaderhsip and decision making structure amplifies the institutional structure and institutional resources‘ effect on the better performance of regions. Practical Implications: The practical implications deriving from this research concludes that future approach to RED should be based on balanced distribution of responsibilities between different governmental levels with clear vision and leadership, as well as with much more advanced institutional structures and detailed work design. This means that creative leadership will ensure not only better performance in economical development aspects but meanwhile will adjust better to external changes and work more efficiently. Originality/Value: The research paper shows its originality in a specific case study and the value of this is finalized with the regional economic development model that will serve as one stop shop at different regions supporting the economic and overall development.peer-reviewe

The New Public Management In Transition Countries- Public Sector Decentralization And Local Governance Reform In Kosovo

Public administration management in most developing countries is changing rapidly through reform processes with respect to public service delivery and the stimulation of economic growth. That change, in general is affected by the need for policy reform, has resulted in different structural public management reforms known as decentralization and ‘the new public management’, reflecting a movement away from the old values and norms of public administration management. This paper discusses the issue of local government reform processes in Kosovo in parallel with the new public management processes in the country. Local government reform has been and is a priority of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, and as such, it has gone through various stages of its evolution. In other words, special emphasis should be put also on the achievements, progress, challenges and difficulties of local government reform processes. As such, this paper reflects the ontological aspect of the new public management approach in local government reform in the Republic of Kosovo, starting from the development stages of this extensive process up to the current situation, including falls and downs of this process. Therefore, this paper reflects empirically (through research) the current status of local government in Kosovo, as well as the difficulties faced by the local government. As a result of the elaboration of this paper, we have come to the conclusion that local government has made a significant progress since the end of the war. However, much remains to be done in this regard, especially in terms of: transparency, accountability, citizen participation in decision-making, and many other processes, which further strengthen local democracy in the country

Strategic Management Of Secondary Raw Materials In Kosovo As Economical Potencial And Environmental Protection For The Country

The perspective of economic growth, nowadays without promoting an clear environmental protection policy, is no longer possible. However every developing country has to pay so called “ecological bill” in the transition period in order to move through growth and sustainability. Specifically this is an issue if we are talking about the energy raw material impact in ecological conditions and possible new ecologic management that is based on the principles of reducing, reusing and recycling raw material. The main purpose of this work was to analyze the possibility application of lignite fly ash from Kosova Power Plants for the production of self – compacting cement pastes and his use in other industry branches with interest. For the analyses in labor , from the Kosova Power Plants Kosova A and Kosova B in Kastriot were chosen fly ash samples, and the same was tested in the laboratory to show the chances of the application as the additive material and analyzing the exothermal profile of cement pastes with replaced cement from fly ash . The results obtained show that the possibility application of lignite fly ash for the production of self – compacting materials is existing and the same can be used for other industry branches. This is a god opportunity for the use of fly ash as a secondary material which has characteristics of one pozolanic material, with good binder characteristics; it can also clearly improve the rheological properties of fresh concrete and other self – compacting materials

Waste management action plan for the municipality of Prishtina : [presentation given August 23, 2010]

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The New Public Management In Transition Countries- Public Sector Decentralization And Local Governance Reform In Kosovo

Public administration management in most developing countries is changing rapidly through reform processes with respect to public service delivery and the stimulation of economic growth. That change, in general is affected by the need for policy reform, has resulted in different structural public management reforms known as decentralization and ‘the new public management’, reflecting a movement away from the old values and norms of public administration management. This paper discusses the issue of local government reform processes in Kosovo in parallel with the new public management processes in the country. Local government reform has been and is a priority of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, and as such, it has gone through various stages of its evolution. In other words, special emphasis should be put also on the achievements, progress, challenges and difficulties of local government reform processes. As such, this paper reflects the ontological aspect of the new public management approach in local government reform in the Republic of Kosovo, starting from the development stages of this extensive process up to the current situation, including falls and downs of this process. Therefore, this paper reflects empirically (through research) the current status of local government in Kosovo, as well as the difficulties faced by the local government. As a result of the elaboration of this paper, we have come to the conclusion that local government has made a significant progress since the end of the war. However, much remains to be done in this regard, especially in terms of: transparency, accountability, citizen participation in decision-making, and many other processes, which further strengthen local democracy in the country

Management and assessment of human performance toward service quality : the case of Kosovo’s public sector

Purpose: The article focuses in the management and assessment of human performance in the public sector in the state of Kosovo as a key factor for sustainable development and quality increase in the local governance level. Usually management of performance measurement in local governance was concentrated in result delivery without talking into consideration the key factors for effective work such as performance measurement indicators. Nowadays this correlation between performance measurement management and quality increase of services is becoming very important. The article aims to consider and support the fact that the linkage of local government performance assessment is strongly affecting the service quality toward consumers and citizens. Design/Methodology/Approach: For the purpose of this study we have covered a broad literature review followed by primary data collection through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with key experts, relevant reports and other related documentation. Findings: The paper found that there is dissatisfaction among stakeholders with actual way and framework for management of performance measurement and highlights the necessary changes and advancement toward an improved framework for modern performance measurement in order to increase the service quality and satisfy the needs of businesses, consumers and citizens, while indirectly supports the motivation in the workplace. Practical Implications: The paper will serve as a guide for public sector management and aims to facilitate the motivation among employees. This will lead to increase of efficiency and indirectly will support the overall satisfaction among costumers, citizens and businesses. Originality/Value: The research aims to establish valuable performance management systems and develop a model that will serve as one tool for motivation, service quality and efficiency increase between public sector and public management.peer-reviewe

The One-Stop Shop Approach: New Public Management Model in Transition Countries

Nowadays, One-stop shops (OSSs) are not rare, especially not in developed countries. In transition countries, they are currently very popular because the governments here are trying to address complaints about fragmentation in public service delivery. Specifically in those countries, the OSSs are faced very often with different problems beginning from the concept and design, followed by multiple implementation problems. This paper focuses on addressing the concept of development and new public management approach in transition countries using Kosovo as a case study. In addition, the paper seeks to determine drivers and barriers relevant to the strategic concept of adoption and implementation steps of OSSs in different public governance levels. OSS approaches are frequently established to bring win-win situations for citizens, clients, and service providers who are trying to find best solutions by delivering large number of services at lower cost. However, during the implementation phase, the political decision makers usually underestimate the complexities, costs, and risks of the OSS approach. This paper aims to establish general approach as a guide for the smooth implementation of OSS in order to avoid the unrealistic political and citizen expectations, conflicts, lack of resources, and dilemmas related to the OSS model that is most suitable for the certain region and governance level. During the research, the combined methodology was used by taking into consideration deductive approach and combining this with primary data collected through the interviews, face to face meetings, and, most importantly, comparing the different models from different countries in order to analyze and propose the most suitable model for Kosovo case of OSS. Whether or not the claimed benefits are achievable is an open question, and there are serious potential problems with the proposed system. Nevertheless, there is remarkably little evidence to support this claim

FACTORS INFLUENCING USAGE OF MOBILE BANKING IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

Human civilisation has entered a new stage labelled as Information Society (IS) which implies intensive use of information in all activities, exerting a major impact on economic and social aspects of human existence. IS permits access to vast amounts of information for its members, enabling a new working and knowledge paradigm! It also creates a positive environment for economic globalisation and the increase of social cohesion. From the perspective of financial services, IS has helped electronic banking, which underlies the determinants of the banking business model, with the special aspect of mobile commerce. Mobile banking is a subset of electronic banking. The aim of this research is to evaluate the state at which mobile banking is being utilised in the Republic of Kosovo, and to what extend banks are taking advantage of this aspect of banking business. A survey was conducted and results discussed as part of this research

Ten golden rules for optimal antibiotic use in hospital settings: the WARNING call to action

Antibiotics are recognized widely for their benefits when used appropriately. However, they are often used inappropriately despite the importance of responsible use within good clinical practice. Effective antibiotic treatment is an essential component of universal healthcare, and it is a global responsibility to ensure appropriate use. Currently, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to develop new antibiotics due to scientific, regulatory, and financial barriers, further emphasizing the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. To address this issue, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery established an international multidisciplinary task force of 295 experts from 115 countries with different backgrounds. The task force developed a position statement called WARNING (Worldwide Antimicrobial Resistance National/International Network Group) aimed at raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and improving antibiotic prescribing practices worldwide. The statement outlined is 10 axioms, or “golden rules,” for the appropriate use of antibiotics that all healthcare workers should consistently adhere in clinical practice