The book ”European Instruments for Public Sector Development” aims to emphasize and evaluate several specific instruments used by the European Union for the development of the public sector. Among them, the authors focused on the structural and investment funds (ESI funds).
The great majority of EU member states, including Romania, have developed wide experience in accessing and implementing projects having as support the above-mentioned funds. However, the level of accessing and their impact is differentiated among the EU states, which creates the ground layer for an analysis of methods, procedures and content, meant to support a coherent approach to the improvement of the use of such funds.
The book comprises the synthesis of ampler analyses and research performed on the above-mentioned phenomenon, performed within the programs of the Doctoral School in Administrative Sciences of the National School of Political Studies and Public Administration (NSPSPA) in Bucharest, Romania.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter I. Concepts Outline Regarding the Public Sector, Development and European Funds
I.1. Public sector concepts and theories. Outlining the working definition
I.2. Considerations on the notion of development. The need for development in the context of the modern public sector
I.3. The European development policy. Role of the specific financial instruments
I.4. Partial conclusions 1
Chapter II. Public sector development
II.1. Theoretical considerations regarding the concept of public sector development. Theories and forms of development
II.2. Strategies regarding public sector development. Development directions and factors influencing development
II.3. Identification of theoretical models of public sector development
II.4. Partial conclusions 2
Chapter III. The Impact of the Structural and Investment Funds on Public Sector Development
III.1. The role of the European funds in public sector development. Analysis and trends
III.2. European funds management. Access and use mechanisms in the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy
III.3. Development directions and challenges for Romania. Particular modalities of using the European funds, in view of the public sector development in Romania
III.4. Partial conclusions 3
Chapter IV. Assessment of the Impact of the Structural and Investment Funds on Public Sector Development
IV.1. Comparative quantitative analyses focused on SOP HRD and SOP ACD, for the purpose of underlining the impact of the European funds on public sector development
IV.2. Assessment of the impact of the structural and investment funds. Investment priorities
IV.3. Empirical assessment model of the impact of European funds on public sector development
IV.4. Case study: Local employment policies in the context of the economic crisis. Influences of the European Community structural instruments
IV.5. Partial conclusions 4
Chapter V. European Funds Management Model for the Amplification of the Impact on Public Sector Development
V.1. Management structure of the European funds at the level of the Member States
V.2. Efficient use of the European financing for development in the context of the NPM reform
V.3. Empirical assessment model of the impact of European funds on public sector development
V.4. Partial conclusions 5
Conclusions
Selective bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This work aims to analyze and evaluate the specific European instruments utilized for public sector development, with a primary focus on structural and investment funds. It investigates the efficacy of these instruments in various EU member states, including Romania, to determine how they can best support institutional capacity and socio-economic improvements.
- Theoretical foundations of the public sector and modern development concepts.
- Mechanisms and management of European structural and investment funds.
- Comparative analysis of operational programs across European regions.
- Impact assessment models regarding the influence of European funds on the public sector.
- Strategic recommendations for managing European funds to amplify development outcomes.
Excerpt from the Book
I.1. Public sector concepts and theories. Outlining the working definition
The public sector represents the interface between the state and the citizens. It is that component of the notion of state that can be identified, explained and understood by every citizen, even though the own interpretation of the attributes, role, functions and range of the public sector may differ from one individual to the next. Due to its complexity, the multitude of criteria that can, and have been, used in time by the researchers in the field, and due to the permanent adaptation of the public sector to the changes in the external environment, in the specialty literature there is no consensus regarding what the public sector is, what institutions and organizations fall within this category and what criteria should be used to draw the clear line between the public and the private sector.
The traditional approach of the public sector, from the public administration perspective as single representative of the state, can be found in famous scientific works, which were the research basis in the field of government/governance and the study of public administration. Thus, the public sector comprises, from the institutional viewpoint, the government and the structures of public administration, and from the functional point of view, the acts committed by them and the results of those acts, which have as decision origin the public interest.
The economic approach to the public sector reflects, at the same time, the economic functions of the public sector (resource allocation, redistribution, supply of public goods and services), as well as the identification of the entities belonging to this sector according to the criterion of the ownership form of the entities supplying public goods and services, respectively according to their organizing form. At the same time, the public sector fulfills the role of economic life regulator, both through the normative acts issued in this sense and through the elaboration, adoption and implementation of the public policies that must use the public resources as efficiently as possible.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter I. Concepts Outline Regarding the Public Sector, Development and European Funds: This chapter establishes the theoretical framework by defining the public sector, exploring different dimensions of development, and introducing the role of European financial instruments.
Chapter II. Public sector development: This chapter examines various development theories chronologically, discusses strategies for public sector growth, and proposes theoretical models for public sector development.
Chapter III. The Impact of the Structural and Investment Funds on Public Sector Development: This chapter analyzes the role of European funds in supporting development, focusing on the management mechanisms and specific challenges relevant to Romania.
Chapter IV. Assessment of the Impact of the Structural and Investment Funds on Public Sector Development: This chapter provides comparative quantitative analyses and case studies to assess the real-world impact of structural funds on public sector performance.
Chapter V. European Funds Management Model for the Amplification of the Impact on Public Sector Development: This chapter evaluates existing management structures and proposes an optimized model to enhance the effectiveness of European funds.
Keywords
Public Sector, Development, European Union, Structural Funds, Cohesion Policy, Public Management, Administrative Capacity, Economic Growth, Europe 2020 Strategy, Operational Programs, Institutional Framework, Regional Development, Impact Assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The book fundamentally addresses the role of European instruments, particularly structural and investment funds, in the development of the public sector within EU member states.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The work covers theoretical public sector models, European development policies, the management of structural funds, and the assessment of their impact on public administrative capacity.
What is the core research objective?
The objective is to synthesize research on public sector development and European funds, ultimately proposing an improved management model to amplify the impact of these financial resources.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The research utilizes documentary analysis, statistical data evaluation, comparative studies, and mathematical modeling (such as HERMIN and HEROM) to quantify impacts.
What is discussed in the main part of the book?
The main sections discuss the evolution of development theories, the transition to modern public management, detailed analyses of operational programs in various countries, and empirical assessment models.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Public Sector, Development, European Funds, Cohesion Policy, Administrative Capacity, and Public Management.
How does the author analyze the efficiency of European funds in Romania?
The author performs comparative quantitative analyses of Romania's operational programs and uses specific evaluation reports to identify deficiencies and propose improvements in the institutional management framework.
What is the proposed management model for Romania?
The author proposes introducing a regional level of public administration to which duties and resources are delegated, allowing for a more tailored and efficient implementation of operational programs.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Ani Matei (Autor:in), Dana Mortelmans (Autor:in), 2015, European Instruments for Public Sector Development. Structural and Investment Funds, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/302867
