Projects / Programmes
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HOLISTIC GOVERNANCE MODEL FOR AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SLOVENIAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.04.01 |
Social sciences |
Administrative and organisational sciences |
Public administration |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S170 |
Social sciences |
Political and administrative sciences |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.06 |
Social Sciences |
Political science |
holistic governance model, model holism indicator, multi-layer problem, efficiency and effectiveness, accountability, public administration
Researchers (18)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Societal changes have induced new, highly problematic and very complex administrative issues. Implications of the global financial crisis, migration issues, the rise of extremist right-wing parties, populism, ecological issues, the digital revolution and others reveal the current governance models’ insufficiency for holistically responding to the needs of modern society. Therefore, this project’s purpose is to develop an adequate holistic governance model (HGM) within which the Slovenian public administration (PA) will be proactive as an enabler and driver of societal progress and welfare.
The HGM will be based on the following, presently lacking, integrative elements in both politico-administrative decision-making and relevant research: 1) addressing complex cross-sectoral administrative issues interdisciplinarily; 2) including all societal subsystems and their stakeholders at the macro (society), mezzo (government) and micro (individual PA entities) levels of governance; and 3) encompassing supplementary qualitative and quantitative research methods.
The project tasks will be divided into five complementary work packages (WPs). The objective of the first work package (WP1) is to qualitatively establish the theoretical framework for developing the HGM. By applying methods of description, comparison and compilation, we shall: 1) identify current fundamental governance models and their distinguishing elements; 2) establish the main criteria for governance effectiveness, efficiency and accountability in resolving societal challenges; and 3) identify future key challenges and governance model improvement trajectories.
The objective of WP2 is to quantitatively identify the ‘ideal’ instance of HGM. A tailored survey, encompassing assessments of governance model factors, will represent the main data source for the analysis. The macro-level respondents, namely citizens and businesses as a counterpart of the PA, and mezzo and micro groups of different PA-level representatives, will be asked to provide information on the experiences and expected factors and effects as opposed to the elements of existing governance modes. Next, by applying the grouping method (cluster analysis on model differentiation factors) among the various respondent groups, the desired HGM will be quantitatively identified to develop the grounds for a holistic design.
The objective of WP3 is the in-depth validation and optimisation of the statistically indicated HGM. A mixed methods triangulation will be employed, entailing semi-structured interviews with stakeholders at all three governance levels, literature, and interdisciplinary expert reviews. This will optimise the HGM and, thus, its absorption potential. Moreover, the information collected from major stakeholders will serve as a direct input for WP4, aimed at a systematic implementation of HGM on different PA levels. Here, a tailored model holism indicator will be developed to provide appropriately weighted referential target values for implementing the model.
Finally, WP5 related to dissemination is planned. First, we propose a permanent specialised NISPAcee Working Group (The Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe covers five regions and acts via annual conferences and international projects). Second, a scientific monograph shall be prepared, comprehensively analysing the ‘wicked’ administrative issues in Slovenia and beyond, and the HGM to bridge them. Thus, promotion of the HGM and its potential across Europe will be enabled.
In general, the project’s significant contribution shall be twofold: 1) A clearly defined HGM for the Slovenian (-like) PA; and 2) a transparent and indicator-guided methodology for a systematic transition from the existing to the optimal governance model for resolving complex and global societal issues, and thus enabling large-scale social innovation.
Significance for science
The scientific contribution is demonstrated in the original methodology of a comprehensive evaluation of governance models and related scientific findings thereof, also important in the international arena. By developing a unique HGM, the project takes an alternative, original approach to the traditional, qualitative studies in the scientific field. The HGM is also to be accompanied by the Model Holism Indicator, which enables a guided transition from a formal, scientific model to concrete activities within public administration organisations and, thus, to successfully adapt the model for practice. Therefore, the scientifically grounded findings of our project contribute to the challenging systematic transition from a below-average-performing to a highly efficient and effective governance model, not previously scientifically addressed at such a level of detail. This is especially since, instead of focusing on other studies, we take the statistically verified specifics of the Slovenian public administration into account by appropriately balancing the various elements of the Model Holism Indicator (MHI). Content-wise, the project provides the required comprehensiveness not previously achieved by studies in Slovenia and in the wider EU area (Bouckaert, 2012; Kovač and Jukić, 2016). Thus, numerous unique research results are expected that would contribute to the scientific and practical development of the public administration field:
developing the HGM for the Slovenian PA, and others faced with comparable circumstances and PA issues;
a clear presentation of guidelines within an objective MHI indicator for guiding the shift from the existing model to the optimal governance model within each PA segment;
placement of the Slovenian model of governance and its factors in a wider global context and the presentation of statistical comparisons; and
high-profile Slovenian and international scientific (ISI) publications.
Significance for the country
The project’s main socio-economic contribution shall be twofold: 1) a clearly defined HGM for Slovenian (-like) PA; and 2) a clear and indicator-guided methodology for a systematic transition from the existing to the optimal governance model for resolving complex and global societal issues, in numerous countries, thus enabling large-scale social innovation and long-term socio-economic effects, such as: more efficiently and effectively resolving highly important emerging governance challenges, empirical results that represent a novelty in the wider EU area and globally, a greater utilisation rate of budgetary resources, an overview of the state of public administration from the aspects of efficiency and effectiveness, the applicability of the methodology for further research, and a greater utilisation rate of publicly available statistical data. Besides the above, the project represents an important supporting instrument for the framework 2015–2020 Slovenian Public Administration Development Strategy. An especially big challenge to implementing this strategy and related ones (i.e. Strategy Europe 2020) is its exceptional breadth and the related need for additional support with a systematic and clear order of the measures required (Kovač and Jukić, 2016). Because the project will systematically link the Slovenian public administration reform activities and in order to enable implementation of the HGM it will be possible to achieve the target conditions of the strategies faster, with fewer resources, and the socio-economic effects of the projects will also be more quickly detectable by citizens and institutions from the public and private sector. Moreover, the project supports efficiency, effectiveness and innovation, all integral parts of the EU’s development strategy Europe 2020, which sees these elements as important drivers of economic growth and social well-being.
Most important scientific results
Interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report,
final report
