Croatian and Comparative Public Administration

Foreword

2026-07-31T14:12:55+00:00

The Application of the European Convention on Human Rights and its Jurisprudence by the Albanian Constitutional Court in Administrative Disputes

2026-07-31T14:12:55+00:00

This paper examines how Albania’s Constitutional Court has contributed to strengthening democratic civil society through the protection of human rights, particularly in the realm of administrative law, following the 2016 constitutional reform. Since then, individuals can directly file constitutional complaints in cases of alleged fundamental rights violations–an essential indicator of democratic maturity. Between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024, the Court issued 197 decisions on individual constitutional complaints. In 2024, 90% (76 out of 84) of decisions involved such complaints, with 32% (27 cases) relating to administrative law. Among these, 89% referenced the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), 37% cited the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case-law, and 37% referred to both. In 2023, 91% (64 out of 70) of decisions addressed individual complaints, with 43% (30 cases) involving administrative law. Of these, 80% applied the ECHR, 40% cited ECtHR case-law, and 37% referenced both. In 2022, 81% (35 out of 43) of decisions addressed individual complaints, with 51% (18 cases) concerning administrative matters. Among these, 67% invoked the ECHR, while 44% cited ECtHR jurisprudence, and 44% referred to both. The most frequent human rights themes were: (1) unconstitutionality of administrative acts; (2) fair trial and due process; (3) judicial delays; (4) property rights and expropriation; and (5) access to justice. The most frequently applied provisions were Art. 6 (right to a fair trial), Art. 13 (effective remedy), and Art. 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property). Albania’s evolving jurisprudence illustrates a growing alignment with international human rights standards and highlights the increasing role of constitutional adjudication in safeguarding individual freedoms against administrative action.

Neki aspekti utjecaja COVID-19 pandemije na različite tipove radnika u Hrvatskoj

2026-07-31T14:12:56+00:00

The aim of the paper is to analyze some of the first impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers in Croatia and to contribute to knowledge about the economic and social effects of the pandemic. On the basis of a mixed research approach (interviews with workers, N=16 and online survey, N=520), the different impacts of the pandemic on changes in the level of workers' rights and on the conditions and characteristics of work are analyzed, namely on two groups of workers: those with a permanent employment contract, and workers with contracts for temporary ('seasonal') work. The results of the research showed different intensity of the impact of the pandemic with regard to different industries, but in general the pandemic had effects on different adaptations of work to new conditions, namely on working conditions and the level of rights (changes in the number of working hours, increase in work tasks, changes in the level of wages), and the flexibility of the form of work (expansion of the practice of home work). In most dimensions, the intensity of changes is more pronounced in "seasonal" workers, compared to other workers.

TOPSIS Technique as a Basic Decision-Making Tool: Theoretical, Methodological, and Application Basis for its Use not only in Local Government

2026-07-31T14:12:56+00:00

Across the academic community, there is an increasing pressure to publish articles in journals indexed in the Web of Science database. The main objective of the research is to introduce TOPSIS technique (from both theoretical and practical perspective) as a suitable tool for decision making in the conditions of local self-government. This objective is achieved through four specific objectives, using a considerable number of sources and in the form of practical application in the conditions of local government in Slovakia. The results of our “review-based” research indicate that the TOPSIS technique is one of the basic and very popular MCDM methods. Its application in various areas is associated with the Entropy method and the pair comparison method or various objective methods for determining the importance of criteria. We are observing a growth trend in the application of this methodological approach in local government, which indicates its attractiveness and suitability for use in this area.

Co-Production in Response to the Covid-19: a Case Study of Urban Village Community's Resilience to Pandemics in Indonesia

2026-07-31T14:12:56+00:00

This study provides an understanding of community–government collaboration in responding to disasters from the early stages, including the development of institutional arrangements, planning, strategy, communication and coordination, capacity-building efforts, leadership, and accountability mechanisms. The paper adopts a case study approach to examine the co-production process and the public values that emerge from it. The analysis is based on qualitative data collected through 20 semi-structured interviews, mass media reports, and regulatory documents. The findings demonstrate that urban village communities play an important role in responding to COVID-19 through co-production. Their central role can be observed from the early stages of designing co-production arrangements, collaborating with professionals, participating in decision-making, ensuring accountability, and taking part in COVID-19 response training. This research contributes to the literature by demonstrating how communities can employ co-production, in collaboration with local governments, to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

Challenges in Implementing Internal Audit Functions in Local Governments: Evidence from Morocco

2026-07-31T14:12:57+00:00

The objective is to discover the difficulties, challenges and perspectives, of implementing internal auditing in Territorial collectivities[1] in developing countries. The philosophy of positivism and the qualitative approach (interactive interviews and Purposive sampling) were used to collect and analyze empirical data, content analysis and comparative approach are also used. We conducted (09) interviews using a selective method to achieve sample saturation. We collected additional data through document searches. The results of the study confirm that the creation of the internal audit unit has not yet been done in the majority of territorial Collectivities, and that even the units that have been created are not operational, with the exception of certain authorities "such as the Regions". It is also noted that a large majority of territorial Collectivities do not have the necessary human and financial resources, nor a favorable environment for internal control for this implementation.

[1] In the context of Moroccan legislation, Territorial Collectivities are the Regions, the Prefectural/Provincial councils and the Communes.

Systematic Insights into Electronic Government Initiatives: Bridging Gaps in Knowledge and Implementation

2026-07-31T14:12:57+00:00

This study investigates the implementation of e-government initiatives in developing countries, focusing on overcoming significant barriers, including limited ICT infrastructure, socio-cultural resistance, and weak governance structures. Recognising the critical importance of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in fostering trustworthy and inclusive governance, the study addresses a notable gap in the synthesised knowledge regarding effective strategies tailored to the unique technological and socio-political contexts of developing nations. Employing a systematic literature review guided by PRISMA guidelines, 24 peer-reviewed articles published between 2013 and 2023 were analysed to identify dominant themes and challenges in e-government adoption. Key findings reveal that successful e-government implementation depends on robust ICT frameworks, digital literacy promotion, citizen engagement mechanisms, and effective privacy management, while interoperability issues and resistance to change remain persistent obstacles. The study recommends a multidimensional approach integrating technology, organisational readiness, and social factors to advance e-government efficacy, ultimately enhancing public service delivery and participatory governance within developing countries.

Ethan Bueno de Mesquita: Political Economy for Public Policy

2026-07-31T14:12:58+00:00