The recent process of political and economic transformation in eastern European countries has not only contributed to the decentralisation of political structure but also significantly enhanced the fiscal autonomy of municipalities belonging to these countries. Although the degree of...

Housing rights can act to guarantee minimum housing provision for poor and deprived persons, based on respect for human dignity. These rights are now established within many international public law instruments and treaties, as well as national constitutions, laws and curial jurisprudence. There...

The downstream sector has been facing several challenges in the recent times. One of the most important challenge being the development of efficient supply chain to meet the ever increasing demand. Besides, there are other factors like reducing the operational costs, regulatory policies relating...

Research findings sometimes play a part in the policy making process. This can happen through direct use of analysis, or through their impact on public perceptions and preferences as a result of media coverage. There are opportunities in this process for distortions to occur. This paper looks at...

Federal spending on aid to the states increased from $286 billion in fiscal 2000 to an estimated $449 billion in fiscal 2007 and is the third-largest item in the federal budget after Social Security and national defense. The number of different aid programs for the states soared from 463 in...

In 2007, both Moldovan and Ukrainian authorities took firm steps to reduce corruption along the Transdnistrian border. This paper - aimed mainly at anti-corruption practitioners and scholars in public administration - discusses the background and underlying principles guiding the anti-corruption...

Decisions regarding the creation and management of National Oil Companies (NOC) can be appreciated within the general context of government intervention in the economy. Its degree tends to change over time in response to exogenous (e.g. geopolitics, economy) and endogenous (e.g. state...

This paper sets out an analytical framework for assessing the performance and value creation of National Oil Companies (NOCs). NOCs differ greatly in their institutional environments, their corporate objectives and operations, and their domestic and international socio-economic linkages, which...

Invariably, the Quality of output is directly dependent upon that of the participating constituents, some of which are sustainably and effectively controlled while others are fluid. The latter category of participating elements are as complex as a possible interaction, as if between the Head and...

This work is the result of experiences from application of strategic Total Quality Management to a group dance. Explained using the analogy of Sargam, the little protocol of Music marked by a sequence of 7syllables (sounds), that is the essence of celebration of Music. Sargam has been attempted...