Economics and Management 7 (3) 2015

One of the key issues in the management of R&D projects is tracking the process of their implementation, and the PR of the development of created solutions. The information about the current progress of the project and the identification of risks in different spheres of its implementation provides the possibility to take appropriate corrective actions on a continuing basis. This article presents a systemic approach and a practical application of a complex assessment of the maturity level of implementation and commercial potential in tracking and predicting the development of innovative technological solutions developed through R&D projects. It presents prediction capabilities for the development of technological solutions based on the analysis of evaluations using the example of tracking research projects conducted within the framework of the Strategic Programme, „Innovative Systems of Technical Support for Sustainable Development”. The article proposes directions for further research, which, in the process of predicting the development of solutions, factors in various aspects occurring at the design stage, preparation for the implementation, and commercialization.

Keywords:
R&D project  tracking of a R&D project  implementation maturity assessment  commercial potential assessment 

The goal of this paper is to present a research method used during trade shows, which is commonly named as a mystery visitor, and in particular to identify its unique characteristics and the conditions under which correct results may be achieved. The authors used to one of the variants of participant observation, which is mystery visitor, as a research method. This method was used during the MAPIC – the world’s largest retail real estate business trade show. Mystery visitor method can be used to examine in detail various phenomena existing in exhibitors’ activities and to assess a general level of customer service during a particular trade show. The observation based on the mystery visitor method, carried out during trade shows, which is properly conducted can provide numerous benefits for both exhibitors and exhibition event organisers. The mystery visitor research method has not been presented in the marketing literature yet. This paper fill in the existing gap, in particular, by indicating characteristics of that method. The paper points out how to effectively use the mystery visitor method in practice in order to assess trade show performance.

Keywords:
trade shows  trade show performance  participant observation  mystery visitor  retail real estate business 

The main purpose of the paper is to show the relations between the management method practiced by the public authorities and the efficiency of public finances carried out at the local level. The paper has been prepared on the basis of literature and copyright research on the effectiveness of financial management in Polish local government. A descriptive method and the results of economic and statistical analyses have been used in the work. Authorities applying the administrative management model are characterized by passivity and reluctance to use innovative methods of management. They apply a one-year financial planning cycle and perform cost analyses to a very limited extent. Local governments applying the strategic management model use modern and effective methods of financial planning in financial policy, also in the multi-annual arrangement, and constantly carry out financial analyses. The practice of public financial management at the local level shows the impact of public management on the effectiveness of financial policy and budgetary economy at the local level. The paper refers to the theory of public finance and efficiency of local public financial management. The conclusions of the paper can be applicable for the practice of finances of the local self-government.

Keywords:
public management  local finance  local government 

The aim of this article is to assess critically institutional and policy arrangements for evaluation within Lithuanian public administration in order to manage the support of the European Structural Funds and the use of evaluation requirements of EU structural funds as a limited cased study. What has been changed in the administrative arrangements of EU Structural funds support during the two programming periods 2004-2006 and 2007-2013? A key research question is to assess administrative arrangements for evaluation within Lithuanian public administration in order to manage the support of the European Structural Funds and use of evaluation requirements of the EU structural funds as a limited case study to map how these arrangements are or are not developed, and isolating the key explanatory factors. Methodologically, we used semi-structured qualitative interviews and quantitative online surveys of officials, academics and evaluators. The research results show that isomorphism and donor-oriented evaluation dominates in the evaluation system of the EU Structural and Cohesion funds. Lithuania transfers the elements necessary for support evaluation to the public administration systems. From the intervention approach, supporting many programmes and projects, there is a change to the approach based on long-term planning, programming and consulting with the stakeholders. The current paper covers three significant topics (a) the evaluation of the EU Structural support to Lithuania; (b) the institutional and policy arrangements for evaluation within Lithuanian national government; (c) evaluation capacity for public policy evaluation within Lithuania. The research itself contributes to the spread of evaluation theory and practice in the new EU member states. State officials will be able to learn and compare the implementation of evaluation in other member states, what aims were reached, what the scope and significance of evaluation is dependent on evaluation coordination and system centralization-decentralization and what the influence of cultural aspects on evaluation implementation is. The evaluation community could learn about the differences of evaluation systems, possibilities and restrictions, the applied evaluation methods and means of evaluation quality management in order to work in a certain market.

Keywords:
evaluation capacity  utilization of evaluation  monitoring  Lithuania  European Union  Structural Funds 

This paper addresses the concept of learning organization in public sector from the technical perspective. The „learning curve” of 10 Slovenian cities during the crisis period 2009-12 is investigated, where the focus is on outcomes and not on the processes of learning. In essence, the working concept of dynamic performance monitoring is utilized. The empirical evidence suggests that productivity of 10 Slovenian cities decreased on average during the crisis period 2009-2012, however this decrease was particularly intensive in 2010, whereas in 2011-2012 period productivity started to consolidate. The main contributor to this was technology, represented by innovation and adoption of new operating techniques and procedures. Paper addresses the concept of learning organization from the technical perspective. When the technical perspective is expanded to the social perspective, the results might suggest that innovations come in the form of the utilization of new modes of subnational government service provision.

Keywords:
learning organization  productivity  technical perspective 

The objective of efficient management in the public sector is first of all the rational use of limited resources that sector has. It is only possible when the performance of activities is entrusted to qualified managers specializing in the management of public sector organizations. It also depends on the implementation of modern management methods, for example procedures which enforce the efficient use of material (especially financial) resources: it is so-called management technology. Health protection and the management of public health care system units is one of the key elements of the state policy carried out as part of its constitutional duty regarding the common good. Within the system of managing these resources, territorial self-governments, particularly communal self-governments, are responsible for performing the activities which have the fundamental importance for citizens. The problem discussed in this article is first of all the clarity of planning in self-governmental independent health care centers and the availability of information on the management of public financial resources. It presents the results of research carried out in selected independent public health care centers in Warmia and Mazury region. Apart from drawing certain conclusions, the aim of the article was to propose changes in the financial management system of self-government health care units, especially planning which involves the performance budget execution system of the revenue and expenditure plan.

Keywords:
independent health care center  territorial self-government  performance budget 

The effect of market regulation tools on business is a complex phenomenon, and the impact of such regulation could be both positive and negative. The enhancement of the positive effect is a scientific task which requires a systematic approach. In order to find a solution to this problem it is necessary: a) to identify the relevant factors; b) to make a coherent evaluation of these factors and their influence on the phenomenon under investigation; c) to establish the optimal form and extent of the SRB (State Regulation of Business) tool required for the achievement of the desired results. The study analyses aims of economic regulation and business management from the point of view of a state. The research focuses on problems caused by state subsidies for business enterprises as one of the forms of SRB. The research also aims to enhance the effectiveness of business regulation. The main objects of this study are: state subsidies for business enterprises as a form of state intervention in the market and the possible correlation between the characteristics of subsidies and their impact on business. The evaluation presented in this study proved that EU subsidies have had a direct positive influence on the expected effect. The analysis revealed that rate of subsidies has had a higher effect on SRB impact than the size of funding.

Keywords:
state subsidies  EU financial aid  multicriteria evaluation methods  expert assessments