Suchergebnisse

Interakcija formalnih (zakona, propisa) i neformalnih institucija (kulture, tradicije, normi ponašanja) bila je inicijalno podcijenjena u nedavnoj ekonomskoj, političkoj i društvenoj transformaciji središnje i istočne Europe. To je ponajviše rezultiralo univerzalnim pristupom koji je zanemario neopipljivo nasljeđe i stoga nije mogao predvidjeti ni primjereno analizirati divergenciju razvoja zemalja niti evoluciju njihovih poslovnih sustava. Prevladavajuća kultura nacije prepoznata je kao vrlo utjecajan faktor institucionalne promjene. Imajući u vidu da je povoljno poslovno okruženje ključno za ekonomski napredak, "institucionalna ljepljivost" kulture s jedne strane, a zakona i propisa koji se odnose na poslovanje s druge temeljito je istražena i zatim dovedena u vezu s ukupnom kvalitetom poslovnog okruženja i razinom gospodarskog razvoja. Zaključuje se da se povoljno poslovno okruženje nalazi u društvima koje karakterizira manja hijerarhijska distanca, snažan individualizam, nesklonost izbjegavanju nesigurnosti te naglašena otvorenost i zadovoljstvo stanovnika. No, brojne tranzicijske zemlje uglavnom se odlikuju suprotnim karakteristikama. Stoga konačni nalazi naglašavaju manju vjerojatnost uspjeha institucionalnog "uvoza" iz zapadnoeuropskih u istočnoeuropska društva. ; The interplay of formal (laws, regulations) and informal institutions (culture, tradition, norms of behaviour) has shown to be initially underestimated in the recent economic, political, and social transformation of Central and Eastern European countries. This predominantly led to a uniform approach that undervalued intangible legacy and consequently could neither predict nor address the divergence of the countries' development and evolution of their business systems. Dominant national culture has been recognized as a very influential factor of institutional change. Considering that a favourable business environment is vital for economic progress, "institutional stickiness" of business-related laws and regulations and culture is thoroughly researched. It is further linked with the overall quality of the business environment and the level of economic development. This article suggests that a favourable business environment is expected to be found in societies characterised by a weak power distance, high individualism, low uncertainty avoidance and indulgence instead of restraint. Yet, opposite characteristics are found in numerous transition countries. Hence, the findings suggest a lesser likelihood of successful institutional import from Western to Eastern European societies.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors affecting reform patterns in Croatia in order to identify the main reasons for the (missing) reform success so far. The focus is on the analysis of the political system, especially on government fragmentation as one of the main features of proportional electoral rule and clientelism. In addition to political variables, economic factors are analysed as well. The obtained results show that reforms in Croatia were implemented during crises, that coalition governments are not conducive to reforms and that clientelism and corruption present significant obstacles for reform implementation in Croatia. Moreover, the results show that political cycles also have a significant effect, with reform activity slowing down as elections approach. This article contributes to the burgeoning debate on reform implementation (in the post-socialist societies) from the political economy perspective. ; Rad donosi analizu čimbenika koji utječu na proces provođenja reformi u Hrvatskoj, čime se nastoje identificirati glavni razlozi dosadašnjeg (ne)uspjeha u provođenju reformi. Istraživanje se u najvećoj mjeri fokusira na ulogu političkoga sustava, posebno fragmentacije vlade kao jedne od ključnih karakteristika razmjernog izbornog sustava te na klijentelizam. Osim političkih varijabli, u analizu su uključene i ekonomske varijable. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da su reforme u Hrvatskoj implementirane tijekom kriza, da koalicijske vlade nisu sklone provođenju reformi te da su klijentelizam i korupcija znatna zapreka provođenju reformi. Nadalje, rezultati upućuju na značajnost političkih ciklusa, uz usporavanje reformske aktivnosti s približavanjem izbora. Dobivenim rezultatima rad pridonosi sadašnjim istraživanjima političke ekonomije reformi u postsocijalističkim zemljama.

This article compares the applicability of both the gradual and the shock therapy approach to reform implementation in large-scale change. Using quantitative data, it aims to provide more evidence for the lessons learned from post-socialist transformation. Hence it adds a theoretical and an empirical contribution to the body of literature on great transformations, focusing on their speed and the acceptability of related policy solutions. Despite the predominant inclination towards the gradualist approach to reforms in the initial transition years, economic indicators suggest that the big bang reformers have demonstrated a superior performance over the last (few) decade(s). Still, the approach to (post-)transition processes should be multidimensional and include more than the speed of transformation and key economic indicators. Therefore, a quantitative analysis covers several aspects of socioeconomic change. The analysis of the quality of democracy, market economy, and management performance in post-socialist EU member states indicates that over the last decade the countries that applied the shock therapy approach have performed significantly better in all these areas. This suggests that slow reformers are lagging behind in the development of democratic institutions and a modern market economy, and presumably have insufficient capacities to rapidly catch up with fast reformers. Further research on this topic should tackle the deep roots of socioeconomic development and path-dependent choices (reform speed included), proximity to Western countries, the possible effects of other specific circumstances (such as war), the importance of selected institutions on the performance of post-socialist non-EU member states, and other limitations.

Post-Weberian definitions see the state–individual relationship as a "do ut des" one. The state grants protection, education, medical care, and its citizens contribute labour, compliance, and taxes. When this does not occur, it is generally accepted that the citizens are deviating from state goals. However, there are cases where lack of compliance stems from the fact that society members do not feel protected by formal structures, and they rely on informal ones to replace, supplement, or even compete with state institutions. The starting point of this article is that this lack of support may result from enhanced labour mobility (and migration) across Europe, and may enhance the creation and persistence of informal practices. Taking advantage of two case studies, Romanian migrants to Spain and ethnic entrepreneurs in Croatia, we observe how governance is constructed and provide two novel interpretative frameworks. First, we explore the use of informality (informal practices) to suggest that apparently insignificant actions that are repeated routinely and without much thought, are a way to contribute to the construction of the political and that everyday governance should receive more attention. Second, we use this claim to argue that a better understanding of informality can help identify governance areas where interventions are more urgent. These are the spheres of public life where it is possible to identify a larger gap between the wishes of a state and the ways citizens actually act as they informally avoid or bypass its rules.

Post-Weberian definitions see the state-individual relationship as a "do ut des" one. The state grants protection, education, medical care, and its citizens contribute labour, compliance, and taxes. When this does not occur, it is generally accepted that the citizens are deviating from state goals. However, there are cases where lack of compliance stems from the fact that society members do not feel protected by formal structures, and they rely on informal ones to replace, supplement, or even compete with state institutions. The starting point of this article is that this lack of support may result from enhanced labour mobility (and migration) across Europe, and may enhance the creation and persistence of informal practices. Taking advantage of two case studies, Romanian migrants to Spain and ethnic entrepreneurs in Croatia, we observe how governance is constructed and provide two novel interpretative frameworks. First, we explore the use of informality (informal practices) to suggest that apparently insignificant actions that are repeated routinely and without much thought, are a way to contribute to the construction of the political and that everyday governance should receive more attention. Second, we use this claim to argue that a better understanding of informality can help identify governance areas where interventions are more urgent. These are the spheres of public life where it is possible to identify a larger gap between the wishes of a state and the ways citizens actually act as they informally avoid or bypass its rules.