The system of higher education is, most frequently, perceived as a part of public service which is justified by the fact it is commonly analysed from that point of view. Since the same system has recently been subjected to privatisation and commercialisation processes, it is of outmost importance to define the notion of public and private within the context of higher education, which is the main aim of this paper. Furthermore, it is necessary to place the higher education system within the framework of public and/or private and provide a thorough analysis of the dimensions relevant for all the interested parties in the domain of public administration, that is, its segment significant for the topic. The first part of the paper is, therefore, primarily focused on presenting the dimensions public/private to the interested parties, while providing relevant arguments regarding the topic, so valid approach in this segment of public administration is found by combining various interpretations. Some of the questions particularly interesting to the author are being discussed in the central part of the paper: in what way is the division on public/private evident in the Croatian higher education system, is higher education perceived as public service and to what extent is its development affected by the globalisation process? In the final part of the paper, certain conclusions are made based on the facts presented in the paper, which could be used for improving efficacy and effectiveness of the higher education system in Croatia.
An analysis of different aspects regarding the creation of networks within the Croatian higher education system is presented in the paper. The larger part of the paper refers to the analysis of public services in general and the network approach in public administration in particular. The state of the higher education system is presented through the inclusion of market and network principles and the establishment of numerous actors in this field by which effectiveness of this field of public administration is trying to be improved. The aim of the detailed examinations is to pro-vide an overview of all relevant actors whose interactions and roles resemble network-like relationships. To examine the starting hypothesis that neo-managerial approach leads to networking within the higher education system, an empirical study was conducted at the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek, Croatia among the teaching staff and students. The final chapters of the paper present and discuss research results which principally support the initial assumptions.
Prilagoditi se izvanrednim okolnostima nije nimalo lak ni jednostavan proces. Stoga je prilagodba visokoobrazovnog sustava u vrijeme pandemije COVID-19 postala prioritet svim ključnim akterima u području visokog obrazovanja. Cilj je rada prikazati na koji je način organizacija koja obavlja djelatnost visokog obrazovanja od birokratskog modela poprimila elemente mijenjajuće, odnosno adaptivne organizacije. S obzirom na to da visokoobrazovni sustav možemo promatrati kao otvoreni sustav na koji utječe niz relevantnih aktera, rad donosi i njihov pregled s njihovom ključnom zadaćom, učiniti visokoobrazovni sustav otvorenijim, transparentnijim, modernizirati ga te europeizirati. Reforma javne uprave s naglaskom na javne službe treba napraviti zaokret prema primijeni komponenti upravnih doktrina novog javnog menadžmenta te dobre vladavine, ne samo u teorijskom smislu već i u praktičnom dijelu. Neoweberijanski pristup prakticira temeljne podloge organizacije, počevši od poštivanja vlasti, moći, autoriteta, hijerarhije, pravila i strukture. Nužno je sagledati kako su se ti elementi primjenjivali u okolnostima trajanja pandemije COVID-19. U radu se u teorijskom dijelu analizira visokoobrazovni sustav s birokratskim karakterom, njegov put k adaptivnom obliku. Središnji dio rada tiče se analize odredbi pravnih propisa kojima se regulira područje visokog obrazovanja, a koji se oslanjaju na primjenu adaptivnih elemenata organizacije. Zaključni dio rada odnosi se na iznošenje zaključnih misli u pogledu poboljšanja visokoobrazovnog sustava kao i na iznalaženje prijedloga za povećanje učinkovitosti djelovanja sustava. Nalazi analize vežu se uz odgovor na temeljno pitanje: je li moć prilagodbe visokoobrazovnog sustava u izvanrednoj situaciji utjecala na kvalitetu obrazovnog procesa i u kojoj mjeri te je li tako omogućila rast organizacije kao i usvajanje ključnih vrijednosti u javnoj upravi?
In the previous ten years in the EU, the youth have become one of the priority groups that is being strengthened for more intensive involvement in the life and development of society. Research has shown that the youth are quite uninterested in getting involved in political and social activities that contribute to the development of the community and society. The still current pandemic caused by Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has further “pushed” the youth into the virtual world because they are now forced to conduct their daily activities (for example, schooling, additional education) in an online environment. The youth, otherwise avid fans of technological achievements, are now trapped in their homes with computers, smartphones and other technological aids, thus losing direct contact with their peers and adults, remaining deprived of some of the socializing effects of the teaching process and are at risk of complete alienation. EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 addresses youth organizations, as one of the key actors that strengthen the competencies of the youth and promote their social inclusion. Youth associations and associations for the youth, in addition to providing various services and programs for the youth, strengthen empathy among the youth, raise awareness of the youth on the needs of society and, through the development of additional competencies, empower them to actively participate in community life. This paper presents the results of the part of the research created within the Youth Activation Network project. The research was conducted using the focus group method, where the respondents were representatives of youth associations and associations for the youth from entire Croatia. Research questions were focused on trying to identify and differentiate youth associations and associations for the youth from other associations, ways to activate and involve the youth in the work of associations, and assess the current legal framework of associations. The results obtained from the implementation of focus groups were transcribed, processed in Dedoose computer program and presented in the paper according to main research issues. For results analysis, content analysis method was used, as well as comparison method and contrast method. The results of the research show that it is necessary to legally define work with the youth so that it can be used as one of the distinguishing criteria of youth associations and associations for the youth. Associations involve the youth as volunteers, users and service providers, and empower and motivate them to further engage in social activities. The biggest problems pointed out by the representatives of associations are related to the ways of financing the work of the associations. Although some respondents pointed out certain shortcomings, research results indicate that the existing legal framework for the work of the associations is satisfactory, while its amendments could further complicate the work of youth associations. The revocation of the complex consequences of the pandemic requires the active involvement of all factors in society, where active and engaged, socially responsible and empathetic youth can be the bearers of change and improvement.
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