Effects of innovations with regard to cultural services across cultural institutions

The changing environment in which cultural institutions operate prompts them not only to seek for new management methods but also to hone their existing services and implement new ones. Innovations in the services provided by cultural institutions are, thus, an important issue from the practical perspective, as well as tending to be a significant scientific problem. The paper attempts to recognize effects produced by innovations in cultural institutions’ services. Drawn on the reference literature and empirical research, the key types of effects delivered by innovations in cultural services are identified. In essence, tremendous impact was reported in recipients’ increased satisfaction, enhanced quality of the offer and the institution’s image

How to monitor the effects of managerial innovation in public cultural institutions

It is essential to develop methodology for collection of innovation data in the public sector. It pertains also to monitoring the outputs and outcomes of man agerial innovations. As the methodology must be sensitive for public subsector specificity, this paper is focused on public cultural institutions. Among several conceptual frameworks of effectiveness the accountability-based effectiveness has been recognized as the most adequate to underlie investigating managerial innovation outcomes in public cultural institutions. The managerial innovation outcomes perceived by t he interviewed managers of Polish public cultural institutions embraced three dimensions of account ability-based effectiveness. This is accountability for self-development of the institution; development of institution’s staff; and acting on the sake of the audience (customers) and local community. Many other dimensions were omitted. Hence, the triangulation of methods is highly recommended, as the interview, even in-depth one, is insufficien

Designing the business models for circular economy : towards the conceptual framework

Switching from the current linear model of economy to a circular one has recently attracted increased attention from major global companies e.g., Google, Unilever, Renault, and policymakers attending the World Economic Forum. The reasons for this are the huge financial, social and environmental benefits. However, the global shift from one model of economy to another also concerns smaller companies on a micro-level. Thus, comprehensive knowledge on designing circular business models is needed to stimulate and foster implementation of the circular economy. Existing business models for the circular economy have limited transferability and there is no comprehensive framework supporting every kind of company in designing a circular business model. This study employs a literature review to identify and classify the circular economy characteristics according to a business model structure. The investigation in the eight sub-domains of research on circular business models was used to redefine the components of the business model canvas in the context of the circular economy. Two new components - the take-back system and adoption factors - have been identified, thereby leading to the conceptualization of an extended framework for the circular business model canvas. Additionally, the triple fit challenge has been recognized as an enabler of the transition towards a circular business model. Some directions for further research have been outlined, as well

Organizational drivers of performance information use : the perspective of Polish local governments

Performance management systems have been widely implemented in local governments and deliver performance information (PI) to enhance organizational learning and control. However, such information is not often used. This study examines the relations between the organizational factors that affect performance information use. The study employs the theories of information systems to distinguish the quality and usefulness of performance information from other organizational drivers of the use of performance information. Based on survey data from Polish local governments, the study searches for potential mediators of PI use by testing the relations between the most influential organizational capabilities that drive PI use. The findings suggest that there is a link between the quality and usefulness of performance information, and that other organizational capabilities that drive PI use are independent from quality and usefulness of PI. The study contributes to knowledge of how performance information is used in public organizations in a CEE country

Approximation algorithms for node-weighted prize-collecting Steiner tree problems on planar graphs

We study the prize-collecting version of the Node-weighted Steiner Tree problem (NWPCST) restricted to planar graphs. We give a new primal-dual Lagrangian-multiplier-preserving (LMP) 3-approximation algorithm for planar NWPCST. We then show a ($2.88 + \epsilon$)-approximation which establishes a new best approximation guarantee for planar NWPCST. This is done by combining our LMP algorithm with a threshold rounding technique and utilizing the 2.4-approximation of Berman and Yaroslavtsev for the version without penalties. We also give a primal-dual 4-approximation algorithm for the more general forest version using techniques introduced by Hajiaghay and Jain

Design thinking in public management

Design thinking is a relatively new method which changes the way organisations are managed and problems are solved all over the world. Increasingly often it is used also in public management, but its potential has not been well recognised. The outlined proposition of the framework is the first step in that direction. In particular, the strong focus of actions on the human being, cooperation, interdisciplinarity, and creativity create the foundation for generating innovation and long-term change of the organisational culture. All these aspects create grounds for increasing the responsiveness of instruments of public management to its challenges and key problems. A significant constraint of the present analysis is the focus only on selected problems of public management, and certain advantages of design thinking. Expanding the theoretical framework should be one of the next stages of the conceptualisation of the role of design thinking in the public sector. Furthermore, what seems to be particularly necessary are systematic reviews of the literature in all of the described areas, as well as exploratory research, especially concerning the role of design thinking in the evolution of performance management, in shaping dominant models of public management and in preventing and combating social exclusion

Special Hydrocarbon Tax And Taxation Of Shale Gas In Poland

Shale gas is considered as a new unconventional resource which may help to diversify the supply and increase accessibility of the gas among the final recipients. The exploration activities of shale gas in Poland are conducted since 2011. It was related with so-called gas revolution – a phenomenon that affected the gas extraction in the United States and Europe. The emergence of the possibility to extract shale gas, previously inaccessible owing to technological limitations, places before Poland the perspective of a significant increase in the production of natural gas and crude oil (Elaboration of government draft Bill on a Special Hydrocarbon Tax).According to the information of polish Energy Regulatory Office, at the end of 2011, there were 109 entities which carried out an activity related to the shale gas exploration. Since then, the growing importance of shale gas was recognized as a potential source of tax revenue. The impact of the shale gas business was significant. Just a few years after the beginning of the gas exploration, the Special Hydrocarbon Tax Bill was adopted on 25th July 2014. The regulations came into force on 1st January 2016