Administrative Capacity Building of Public Administrations Under the European Financial Assistance

From a European perspective as referring to EU member states, which are receiving European financial assistance, the idea of assessment of the countries＇ administrative capacity represents a priority and an issue of concern not only for the new member countries but also for the all the member countries. Based on its functions, public institutions should perform an evaluation or measure their administrative and organizational capacity performance when significant changes occur, in order to facilitate the necessary improvements for their organizational and administrative capacity. Following these considerations, after studying the literature concepts about the administrative capacity and based upon an empirical research, this article aims： （1） to classify the European countries （EU27） according to their administrative capacity, based on some relevant identified indicators as following the European Commissions＇ reports from the official websites; and （2） to identify and analyze the influence and effects that strategic management and project management have on the administrative capacity of Romanian public administration using a survey which analyses the performance of the Romanian public administration.     

Using Qualitative Research in Accounting and Management Studies： Not a New Agenda

Today, many researchers publish their qualitative works in top accounting and management journals. The contribution of this approach in accounting and management studies continues to gather momentum. Policymakers in both public and private sectors have been increasingly recognizing the importance and value of this method, since it offers detail and rich analysis of accounting and management practices in an organization. Various current literatures indicate that the interest in qualitative approach in the field of accounting and management seems to grow. However, there are still many researchers in these fields reluctant or even reject to implement this method arguing that qualitative approach is not scientific and the results are also not scientific. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the issue of using qualitative method in accounting and management studies. The paper is started by looking at the conceptualization of qualitative research. After that, a paradoxical view of qualitative and quantitative methods is discussed. This is followed by discussions of using qualitative research method in accounting and management studies, particularly the use of interpretive case study and grounded theory will be reviewed and discussed in this paper.     

Dimensions of American SHRM＂ Human Capital, HR Systems and Firm Performance

American scholars identify strategic human resource management （SHRM） with human resources （HR） system and firm performance. Major definition of SHRM is human resource management （HRM）-firm performance relation. HR system is important to set HRM-performance link, because HR system includes interrelated HRM practices. Most prominent set of SHRM is interrelated HRM practices, because it establishes the link between individual performance and firm performance. There is a debate in SHRM theory what factors set relationship between HRM and performance. This study argues that individual performance is a moderator between HR and performance. Interrelated HRM practices are important to enhance individual performance. Therefore, interrelated HRM practices are crucial to SHRM. Finally, American scholars view that HR system is important in SHRM, because it establishes high performance work system （HPWS）, and HPWS is expected to increase individual performance and then firm performance. Therefore, American model of SHRM might be HPWS, individual performance, and firm performance. HR systems establish HPWS. Therefore, scholars tend to system approach in SHRM, because it includes interrelated HRM practices in SHRM.     

Information strategy： An analysis framework

Strategic information requirements define which information an enterprise needs to operate and manage its business. These requirements are told ＂strategic＂, since they are at a very high abstraction level, and reflect what managers want to know about operations. In an ideal world, managers would simply express their needs in natural language and the analyst will translate them in actual systems. To get close to these ideal results, a key point is to structure requirements and go from a strategic level, suitable for managers but not for IT analysts, from a semantic level, suitable for IT analysts. For this purpose, we here present an approach to strategic information requirements elicitation （SIRE）. It includes a meta-model, analysis steps and a software tool. The meta-model describes the information domains of the enterprise. The design steps specify the activities the analyst should perform to go from a strategic level to an engineering level. SIRE is based on some key ideas. First, an enterprise processes information made of universal information domains, which include stakeholders, products, process and contexts. By specializing these domains, the analyst identifies domains specific to individual enterprises. Second, whatever domain includes different information types： Master information that defines structural properties, transaction information that describes events, indicators that describe performances. By crossing information domains and types the analyst identifies strategic information entities （SIE）. The method requires few definitions and is readily understood by management and users. Of course, it can be used to design new systems. Additionally, it can be used in information systems planning to assess the coverage of current systems （fill-gap analysis）. The tool enables to store high level schemas that can be mapped against real database schemas of commercial software platforms to understand their coverage.     

Measurement of Performance Management System for High Organizational Achievement in State-Owned Enterprises,Lao PDR

This study attempts to measure the performance appraisals system of the state-owned enterprises in Vientiane Capital City from their operation. Meanwhile, the state-owned enterprise performances are measured through standard evaluation form, annual report, and technical performance evaluation. The data used in this analysis are primary data provided through a questionnaire by the state-owned enterprises in Vientiane Capital City, the capital of the Lao PDR. The results are mixed results. On the positive side, the operation performance evaluation of the state-owned enterprises focuses more on profit making, and encourages the directors, chiefs, and staff toward continuous improvement in their operation. On the negative side, the state-own enterprises face some risks as a result of operation performance evaluation.     

Management Control,Performance Factor in Moroccan Universities ＂Case of the University Hassan I of Settat＂

The reform of higher education and the promulgation of the Law 01-00 in 2000 were a solid foundation of governance renovated in Moroccan universities. In 2009 the emergency plan has come to supplement and reaffirm the achievements of this reform. Indeed, following the deployment of the emergency plan and the introduction of an approach to contracts and projects in public education, Moroccan universities have moved from a logic means to a logic of results. Faced with this situation, and in order to ensure effective control, effective and efficient emergency plan, management control is then the ＂backbone＂ to meet the challenge of all reforms and make successful its deployment.     

Administrative Innovation and Culture： Pillars of the Competitive Strategies in Horticultural Companies of Sinaloa

In contemporary times, a fundamental aspect for organization has been to achieve innovation through culture and approach to encourage the search and development of new ideas, new products, and new services; this is a key point to fulfill the competitive advantages which a company needs to be successful in the global market. The Sinaloa horticultural company has more than 100 years＇ history in the United States export market, and is presenting new challenges and demands from the market in order for it to achieve its permanence. The objective of this research is to identify and propose different strategies to implement management innovation, which in its essence is the one that coordinates, directs, and controls the human resource considering culture as an integral part, with a capacity to generate the spark and function as a motivating source which drives companies to consolidate and integrate supply chains.     

Adaptability of Kuwaiti Public Administration Employees to Total Quality Management Requirements

This exploratory study examines the infrastructure of total quality management （TQM） in Kuwaiti public administration. The research was based on a questionnaire administered to a random sample consisted of 600 government officials from various Kuwaiti ministries. The basic elements of TQM which were investigated relate to work relations, administrative procedures, and professionalism. The objective of the study is to improve quality of public services through diagnosing and strengthening positive points, shedding light on the negative aspects, and giving recommendations on how to enhance services＇ quality. The study results showed that public administration employees are highly adaptable to TQM requirements. Statistically significant variations were found in adaptability to TQM requirements due to gender, age, educational level, job level, and work relations with regard to many aspects. It is recommended that decision makers in Kuwaiti public administrators take some measures to enhance TQM orientation such as simplifying administrative procedures, making greater compatibility between employees and type of work, investing more resources on continuing education of public administration employees and conducting field studies concerning adaptability of other government bodies （public institutions, public companies, etc.） to TQM requirements to see similarities and differences between them and the ministries in this regard and draw appropriate lessons.     

Investigating the Implementation of New Public Management in Lebanon Ideas and Realities

This paper is an exploratory study that investigates the status of new public management （NPM） and the obstacles to its implementation within the Republic of Lebanon. The study employs a qualitative approach that examines two complementary data sources. The first data source is obtained from an extensive review of documents related to NPM that are available in the public domain such as policy initiatives and governmental projects. The second data source is obtained from in-depth semi-structured interviews with 40 stakeholders. Data is analyzed, using an iterative thematic content analysis. The findings suggest that the main obstacles that have inhibited the implementation of NPM in most public agencies in Lebanon include： the politicization of administration in the public sector, the lack of stability in the country, the non-targeted inconsistent and insufficient training, several institutional dysfunctions and organizational challenges, the absence of a country-specific applicable model of public management and the unsystematic and non-institutionalized link between concerned international organizations and the Lebanese public agencies. This research is significant as it provides a foundation for institutional practices to improve the design and implementation of NPM in the country. It also contributes to the relevant academic literature and fills a gap in the research on NPM in Lebanon. The paper provides policy recommendations needed to respond to the recurrent calls for administrative reforms in the Arab world especially in the aftermath of the popular uprisings in many of its countries.     

Talent Management in Life Insurance Industry,Rediscovering L. von Mises Theory

The idea of development accompanied the human kind since ancient times. Greek philosophers were seeking for the laws and movements which determined the nature, but they did not support the clear solutions and answers, neither did most of their present successors. According to the opinion of authors of this paper, the world economy can be driven in two possible ways, which basic assumptions are： total order and complete chaos. All interstages are temporary. The only solution to put today＇s world economy in order is to follow Austrian School＇s principles, particularly in the context of globalization processes, which enables world to achieve new opportunities, but simultaneously put organizations at global threats. Life insurance companies are interested in using the first and avoiding the latter.     

Toward a Framework for the Sustainable Management of Social （Public） Housing Estates in Nigeria

Housing is a centre for many socio-economic activities and often provides a mark of prosperity, social acceptance, and an element of urban development and growth in a country. However, it is suspected that the significance of housing to people in the Niger Delta of Nigeria is lacking because of poor post-construction management practice that is currently in place. At the same time, there are housing shortages, uncompleted, vandalized and abandoned social housing stock in the Nigeria Delta. This has been a continuing challenge facing people in this region as reported in previous studies. Therefore, the overall aim of the study is to develop a framework for the sustainable management of social （public） housing estates in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. This paper aims to set out the context for the research, identify its overall aim and objectives and thereafter considers issues related to the determination of an appropriate scope for the study. It argues that the management of social housing estates in a sustainable manner needs to adopt the principles of sustainability in combination with effective people-centred management and building maintenance practices. It further asserts that the development of such a framework would be a panacea approach in meeting the social housing challenges faced in the Niger Delta and in Nigeria at large.     

Economics and the Practice of Human Action： The Legacy of the Austrian School

Economics is the youngest of all sciences. Its task is to identify the secondary consequences, but it requires a perception of general consequences, including effects which are brought by an implemented or proposed economic policy not only to a certain special interests in short periods of time but also to a general interest for long periods, which somewhat contradicts the assumptions of many economic doctrines. Thus, the current state of economics or management science is difficult to be called autonomic. Economists ＂have opened＂ the domain previously reserved for ＂hard indicators＂ on the human aspects of the assessment of effectiveness. What is more, the discovery of regularity in the sequence and independence of market phenomena, in particular, a markdown role of the ＂invisible hand of the market＂ and ＂government interventionism＂ put into question the validity of the dogmas of traditional British or American schools, as a consequence of the operation of schools with the teaching of economics. This paper is the attempt to show the failure of the most popular scientific economical schools, including neoclassical ones in the area of human performance, comparing with Austrian School principles.     

Analysis on the Human Resource Management in Chinese Agricultural Sector： Case Study From State-Owned Farms in Heilon~iang Province

The aim of this paper is to understand and clarify the strategies, characteristics, and practices of human resource management （HRM） in Chinese agricultural sector from the case study of state-owned farms in Heilongjiang Province. First of all, the technical efficiency of state-owned farms is analyzed using Data Envelopment Analysis （DEA）. Secondly, the characteristics of HRM in three farms are analyzed through person to person interview of managers in farms. Thirdly, questionnaire survey to the employees in two farms for their job satisfaction is analyzed for understanding the effect of HRM. Following results are obtained based on the empirical analysis. Firstly, by introducing new strategy so-called ＂Baiqianwan Talents Project＂ （BTP）, more attentions to the importance of human resources and cultivating managers have started to be paid in state-owned farms. Secondly, the importance of material HRM and the promotion opportunity as well as learning opportunity are recognized through questionnaire survey to the employees of farms. Thirdly, different corporate culture in each farm such as ＂learn by doing＂, ＂harmonization＂, and ＂development＂ is attempted to be established through trial and error.     

Model of Legal Framework for Soil and Aquifer Protection in Mesoamerican Countries

In response to the interest of Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panam/t, and Dominican Republic governments, members of the Mesoamerica Project, in developing a common approach for the regulation of the integral management of hazardous materials and wastes contaminated sites, learning from Mexico＇s experience in the field, a systematic review of key legislations to support it in each country was developed, having in mind the right to a healthy environment as a human right. Particular attention was paid to the crucial factors to consider for the effective application of the intended regulation, regardless of the differences on the particular legal regimes in each country.     

Intellectual Capital and Public Management： A Bibliometric Analysis

Starting from the premise that public management, in the context from the emergent knowledge society, needs new forms to act and new tools to reach its objectives, this paper aims to find evidence of the adoption of the principles of intellectual capital under the public management, by raising scientific articles about the subjects, and aims to select theoretical referential about intellectual capital and public management, by bibliometric analysis. The processes presented 100 constant articles in the final portfolio, available in the data base Web of Science, Science Direct and Scopus. The bibliometric indicators show that the studies were published as from 1969, released by 15 international periodicals, written by 164 authors, used 241 key words related to the constructs of this study. It is believed that the identification of the main references helps the understanding of the foundations of this research field. Additionally, this paper provides many inputs that contribute to the comprehension of the subject at an international level, and that can be utilised in the development of future works.     

Ecological Management of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration： The Tragedy of Commons and System Solution

The continuous integration development trend of China urban agglomerations will not only further promote economic development but also cause the loss of the natural buffer zone which could protect the regional environment, leading to the combined effects of environmental pollution. Hardin＇s ＂Tragedy of the Commons＂, ＂Prisoner＇s Dilemma＂, Olson＇s ＂Logic of Collective Action＂, and other theoretical models demonstrated the tragedy result of ineffective governance of regional ecology. Clear property rights, centralized governance, social autonomy, and competitive-collaborative model based on comparative advantage of the organization are four kinds of ＂system solution＂ for regional ecological management, providing scientific management tool for urban agglomeration management in different regional contexts.     

Productivity Improvement and Public Personnel Management： An Analysis of Presidents Reagan and Obama Administration

Considering the financial crises, all the recent presidents have emphasized the importance of productivity improvement in government, especially in public personnel management. Though there is a general agreement on the concept of productivity, the means to achieve productivity vary with president＇s ideology. President Reagan championed the cause of conservatism. On one hand, despite Obama＇s attempt to diffuse ideological question, his actions can be regarded as liberal. This study seeks to make a comparison between Presidents Reagan and Obama on their efforts in productivity improvement in public personnel management, based on their ideological preferences. President Reagan campaigned on an anti-Washington agenda. He promoted the idea that the government is the problem rather than the solution. He popularized the idea that the people are burdened with heavy taxation as a result of the big government. Therefore, the solution to heavy taxation was to cut big government, which can be accomplished by reducing unnecessary and expensive regulations. On the other hand, when President Obama came to office, the country was faced not only with a deep recession, but two difficult wars, the collapse of the banking and the auto industries, the housing crisis, and overall capacity crisis in the government. Obama resisted ideological level in his campaign speeches to diffuse the criticisms of the conservatives.     

Strategic planning on promoting Macau cultural heritage tourism

The Macau economy has developed rapidly after the handover to China in 1999; the gambling industry made a great contribution to this development and continues today. However, overdependence of the unitary industry structure is risky; hence, diversity in economic development is essential to sustainable development in Macau. After Macau was listed in the ＂world heritage list＂ in 2005, Macau cultural heritage tourism as a new concept has been promoted by the Macau Government. This paper uses SWOT analysis to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Macau cultural heritage tourism. The excellent guidance of promotion from the government is needed in order to successfully create a positive image of cultural heritage tourism. Suggestions to promote Macau cultural heritage tourism are given in the last part of the paper.     

Normative Stakeholder Theory in Local Public Services in Italy： Ethical Profiles and Effectiveness Management

It is well-known that stakeholder theory plays a unique role among management theories due to its focus on the moral foundations of business. Under this theory, managers should always act in the interests of the stakeholders, and their actions should reflect the liberal notions of autonomy, solidarity and fairness. Normative stakeholder theory is usually linked to philosophical ethics. Whereas some authors see stakeholder theory as applicable to the private sector alone, normative stakeholder theory has found its way into debate on the public administration, because a number of studies affirm that it can contribute to the effectiveness of public organization. On this basis, this work analyses local utilities that are now one of the areas where citizens can better assess government policy in terms of quality of life and the satisfaction of their basic needs by evaluating their ethical behaviour. Thus, it may well be interesting to analyse some of the behaviour patterns of local utility entities to verify the link between ethics and the efficient use of resources that assumes special significance in this context because the two elements have to coincide in order to obtain true fairness. Therefore, using a deductive-inductive methodological approach, the study begins by analysing the different normative concepts of stakeholder theory, to find the possible normative core best suited to this context. In the second part, it examines the ethical behavior of local utility entities to make a comparison with the previous normative stakeholder theory. This study will also be a useful starting point for future empirical research.