Ruža Brčić

Entrepreneurial activity and regional development

There are many global and national analyses that provide conclusive scientific support to various theses which stress the importance of entrepreneurship. In this article, based on the relevant data from Croatian counties, we specifically examine the mutual dependence and dual causality of the concepts of regional development and entrepreneurial activity. We apply correlation and dynamic panel data analysis on the set of data from Croatian counties with levels and relative changes of the selected regional growth indicators (GDP per capita, registered unemployment rate, development index) and the indicators of entrepreneurial activity (the number of entrepreneurs per 100 residents). The results of these analyses show the complexity and ambiguity of impact of level of regional development and economic growth on the growth of entrepreneurial activity Croatian counties, depending on the studied indices and the manner of observing them either through their particular levels or their relative changes in time. Results of testing the impact of level and growth of entrepreneurial activity on economic growth are however consistent and robust to different indicators reflecting economic growth. Showing that there exists a significant positive impact of entrepreneurial activity on economic growth.

Organizational Values and Public Management in Local and Regional Self-Government in the Republic of Croatia

Local and regional self-government in the Republic of Croatia is characterized by a series of specific characteristics, including management style, territorial organization and a general question of effectiveness. The purpose of this paper is to identify the core organizational values in local and regional self-government units in the Republic of Croatia and classify them into specific value categories. Recognizing an existing system of organizational values is a prerequisite for managing organizational values so that they contribute to the greater effectiveness of local and regional self-government units. The paper presents the results of research conducted in 18 local and regional self-government units (city and county governments) in eight Croatian counties. The research results indicate which value orientations are predominant in the local and regional self-government system. Additionally, the paper provides guidelines for managing organizational values in the local and regional self-governments of the Republic of Croatia in order to function with good governance and, consequently, with greater effectiveness. Apart from recognizing the values orientation of Croatian local and regional self-government, this research also contributes to the effective management of organizational values, differentiating those organizational values that contribute to the greater effectiveness of local and regional self-government in the Republic of Croatia.