This proposed working group intends to deal
with the often unpredictable nature of the CEE/FIS transitional context. It
will explore the consequences of large-scale changes and prolonged uncertainty
(i.e., in a political, economic, and systemic sense, etc.) in CEE/FIS countries
on administrative behavior and, thus, on the wider governance environment.
This investigation is particularly
pressing in light of the fragile state of transition throughout much of the
region-- marked by (to name a few) frequent large-scale changes, unpredictable
flux, and deep political and societal divisions. This phenomenon has been most
recently and considerably accentuated by the global economic and financial
(Euro) crisis. Undoubtedly, this chaotic environment carries implications for
the internal resilience and stability of both newer and more established public
organizations. Some examples of large-scale change and sources of prolonged
uncertainty may include high political polarization, low economic performance
and recession, major fiscal constraints, transnational pressure and influence
(e.g., EU, IMF), government centralization or decentralization, turnovers in
personnel and leadership, institutional reorganization and restructuring,
expansions or reductions in organizational autonomy and independence, changing
legal regulations and frameworks, new public administration reform programs,
etc.