Abstract
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Public Administration (PA) is recognised as a complex and comprehensive system, in CEE region as well as in any other country worldwide, consisting in addition to the state administration and other administrative entities, of holders of public authority with powers delegated to them by the state for more professional, effective and efficient execution of specific authoritative tasks, procedurally and substantively. Representatives of holders of public authorities in the field of social security in Slovenia are among others Social Work Centres (SWC), established and financed by the state as public institutions. As any other PA system, SWCs faces needs for reforms according to the specific and complex changes in their environment as an answer to the wicked problem situations in present societies. Consequently, in October 2018, SWC reorganization was implemented, pursuing goals declared as organizational structure modifications, social activation of the unemployed and informative calculation of monetary social transfers, all resulting in effective and efficient procedures, accessibility for clients, removal of administrative burdens and red tape reduction, new working methods etc.
Comparative studies are one of the fundamental methods to generate new knowledge in the social sciences and since there no comparative research has been done yet on this topic, the rationale for the current study is to analyse and evaluate discussed reform by comparing it to comparable administrative reforms in the two neighbouring countries, i.e. Austria and Croatia. Administrative systems of the two countries selected for comparison are based on the cultural-historical and legal-political traditions of the rule of law (Rechtsstaat), deriving from the foundations of Roman law, and on the contrary, each belonging to a different group. According to the common characteristics of their administrative systems, Austria belongs to the Continental European-Federal group, and Croatia, like Slovenia, belongs to the Central and South-Eastern European group with post/socialist elements.
When studying the above, the following hypothesis was designed and will be verified in the upcoming research process: Slovene social work centres reorganisation is comparable to the reforms in Austria and Croatia in terms of the goals being set by the reformers and to the results achieved. To test the hypothesis, the following methods will be engaged: comparative method, compilation, deduction, and the axiological-deontological method.
Findings of the research will be interpreted and analysed multidisciplinary using concepts and perspectives of various sciences, addressing the object of the study from its legal, managerial, organizational, societal, and political aspect.
Discoveries presented in the paper will provide answers primarily on the applicative level as ex post evaluation of the specific PA reform from the comparative perspective, by using holistic approaches owned by PA science. Research conclusions will initiate further research and studies of PA reforms and development of public services and policies addressing holders of public authorities and other PA stakeholders.
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