Search

Purpose: In recent decades, higher education has increasingly faced pressures to address real-world challenges in social, economic, environmental, and technological domains. The literature indicates that universities have expanded the traditional notion of science to include new missions. Their responses to these demands varied based on their regulations and social contexts. Some universities demonstrated strong local or regional orientations, while others broadened their activities to become international players. Additionally, some institutions adapted their internal procedures to embrace new administrative methods or transformed into entrepreneurial universities. Consequently, the literature provides evidence of a positive response from universities, although this response is scattered and not uniform on a global scale.As strategic plans offer managerial insights and operational frameworks for achieving organizational goals and missions, their content can be analyzed to examine university responses to various demands. This study employed a quantitative content analysis method to investigate the strategic plans of universities worldwide, exploring their approaches to new academic missions, the emerging subjects recently included in these plans and their correlation with the development levels of their respective countries.Methodology: The research sample comprised the strategic plans of universities worldwide that are accessible on the web. The universities were initially identified using the list provided by the Scimago Institutions and University Rankings, which included 4,126 universities at the time of data collection in May 2022. By employing the following formula in the title field of documents indexed in Google, the strategic plan of each university was located, and its full text was downloaded:("strategic plan" OR "strategic plans" OR "strategic planning" OR "Strategic * plan" OR "action plan" OR "action plans" OR "action planning" OR strategy OR vision OR mission OR values) AND [University Name]852 strategic plans in both English and non-English languages were retrieved, available in either text or image formats. The non-English strategic plans were translated using Google Translate, while image files were converted into text with Google Docs. The complete texts of the strategic plans were then input as plain text into VoSViewer software, version 1.6.19, where their co-word maps were analyzed following linguistic pre-processing. A thesaurus was developed and utilized to standardize the terminology.To identify novel subjects that have recently emerged in the strategic plans, they were weighted according to the commencement year of their respective periods. Furthermore, to examine the relationship between these subjects and the development levels of their respective countries, the plans were weighted by the Human Development Index and Gross Domestic Expenditure on Research and Development, as reported by the United Nations Development Program and the World Bank, respectively. A whole counting method was employed to calculate term frequencies. Additionally, a threshold of occurrence in at least ten strategic plans was established for a term to be included in the map. A total of 1,158 words or phrases were identified. By applying a threshold of 60% of the most relevant terms, 695 terms were included in the final map.Findings: Five clusters were identified including “society”, “students”, “systems”, “transformation”, and “graduate programs”. The largest cluster, i.e., “society”, included the concepts related to education, research, and innovation. The terms “society” and “world” were respectively the biggest nodes in this cluster, indicating the connection of these main missions with real-world challenges. In the “graduate cluster”, the “global rankings” node occurred linked to “sustainable development goals”, “international collaborations”, and “partnerships”. In the “student” cluster, “courses" was the second largest node. Along with the terms related to classic academic missions (i.e., “students”, “graduate programs”, and “courses”), the terms related to new academic missions were observed including “communities”, “world”, “economy”, “sustainable development”, “economic growth”, “social growth”, “excellence”, “solutions”, “diversity”, “climate”, and “climate change”. The terms’ occurrences showed dependence on the plans’ novelty and country development level. For example, the terms “communities”, “social enterprises”, “sustainability”, “global rankings”, “sustainable development goals”, “web applications”, and “circular economy” occurred for moderately to highly developed countries.Conclusion: Universities worldwide have broadened their focus beyond traditional missions to encompass new objectives related to the economy, society, and the environment. The reliance on these terms varies according to each country's level of development, highlighting the necessity for pragmatic policymaking to establish achievable short- and long-term goals. Furthermore, this situation raises concerns about the potential to deepen divides among nations due to differing objectives set for higher education. Notably, the lack of terms associated with research output and traditional mission-oriented ranking systems poses a challenge to the for ranking's sake approach.

The study investigated the influence of organizational resources on implementation of strategic plans (SPs) in Tanzania’s Local Government Authorities. The idea behind was to establish the influence of available resources (financial, human, material and information) on implementation of SPs in LGAs. The underlying theory on this study was resource-based view. The study opted Pragmatism philosophy which hinges on the mixed methods approach (explanatory sequential design), and the study was a cross- sectional, where data were collected at one point in time. The sample size of 204 respondents was drawn from a target population of 860 employees in five randomly selected LGAs in Morogoro region. The findings revealed that, all predictors (financial, human, material and information resources) had a statistically significant positive relationship with the implementation of SPs in LGAs: Whereby, financial resources had (t=2.147, P=0.033

From July 2022 to December 2022, the World Data System (WDS) International Technology (ITO) and International Program (IPO) Offices conducted a review of strategic plans and technical roadmaps of all current WDS members and the set of Canadian repositories that participated in the Digital Research Alliance of Canada's CoreTrustSeal Certification Support and Funding Pilotv (Digital Research Alliance of Canada, 2022). In this paper, we describe how a new organizational assessment method was designed and utilized to identify the needs and challenges faced by the WDS and Canadian CTS Pilot members. Our method relied on reviewing public-facing documentation provided by the repositories, with a priority on strategic plans and technical road maps. In total, we reviewed 95 sources of information, including 33 strategic plans and 3 technical roadmaps describing a total of 95 out of the original 147 target organizations. In this paper, we also describe our assessment tool and the overarching challenges and goals we identified through the usage of this tool. Finally, we will describe the limitations of our methodology and provide recommendations from the World Data System on how best to assist the WDS members and the cohort of Canadian data repositories based on our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From July 2022 to December 2022, the World Data System (WDS) International Technology (ITO) and International Program (IPO) Offices conducted a review of strategic plans and technical roadmaps of all current WDS members and the set of Canadian repositories that participated in the Digital Research Alliance of Canada's CoreTrustSeal Certification Support and Funding Pilot (Digital Research Alliance of Canada, 2022). In this paper, we describe how a new organizational assessment method was designed and utilized to identify the needs and challenges faced by the WDS and Canadian CTS Pilot members. Our method relied on reviewing public-facing documentation provided by the repositories, with a priority on strategic plans and technical road maps. In total, we reviewed 95 sources of information, including 33 strategic plans and 3 technical roadmaps describing a total of 95 out of the original 147 target organizations. In this paper, we also describe our assessment tool and the overarching challenges and goals we identified through the usage of this tool. Finally, we will describe the limitations of our methodology and provide recommendations from the World Data System on how best to assist the WDS members and the cohort of Canadian data repositories based on our findings.

Uncorrected refractive error has predominantly been delivered through commercial entrepreneurship in Kenya. However, to achieve the 2030 IN SIGHT, integration of other forms of entrepreneurship such as the social entrepreneurship is desirable to supplement the efforts of the dominant commercial entrepreneurship. Therefore, this study intended to undertake a SWOT analysis of the current models used by social enterprises in scaling effective refractive error coverage to achieve the 2030 IN SIGHT in Kenya. A review of the seven national strategic plans for eye health in Kenya was undertaken to get a glimpse on the efforts directed towards uncorrected refractive error in achieving the 2030 IN SIGHT. The review was inclined towards assessing the efforts directed by the strategic plans towards scaling human resource, spectacle provision and refraction points. A SWOT analysis was undertaken based on the financial, impact and the approach report for each model. A key informant interview was conducted with a representative and three to five members of the social enterprise about the model. Thereafter, the modified SWOT analysis based on the review and the interview was presented to the representatives of the social enterprises. Purposive sampling was used to identify seven models used by social enterprises in the delivery of refractive error services in Kenya. Finally, the recommendations were presented to key opinion leaders for an input through a Delphi technique. Out of the seven national strategic plans for eye health reviewed, only the strategic plan 2020–2025 intends to establish optical units within 15 different counties in Kenya. Of the seven models currently utilized by social enterprises, only the Kenya Society for the Blind has integrated the telemedicine concept. On application of mHealth, all of the social enterprises models tend to embrace the approach for screening activities. None of the models has a strengthened referral pathway utilizing telereferral and telemedicine. Out of all the models, only Operation Eyesight Universal, Fred Hollow Foundation and Peek Acuity do not depend on sales of subsidized spectacles for sustainability. Every model has the capacity to propel the delivery of refractive error services depending on its comprehensiveness. However, for the 2030 IN SIGHT to be achieved, models prioritizing human resource through telemedicine integration, service provision across all sectors, awareness creation and enhancing cost efficiency are desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Venezolana de Gerencia (RVG) is the property of Revista de Filosofia-Universidad del Zulia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The strategic plans of universities have an important role in enabling HEIs to contribute to sustainability transitions. To address the current lack of studies in HEIs in Türkiye, this paper aims to determine how universities in Türkiye integrate sustainable development goals (SDGs) into their strategic plans to indicate the extent to which these universities align with the 17 SDGs and to discuss the visibility of SDGs in strategies. The research has been designed as a qualitative study involving document analysis. QS World University Rankings or being a research university are the two criteria for the sampling. The scope of the study consists of 27 universities, representing 13.4% of the universities in Türkiye. The most striking result was that, apparently, none of the strategic plans mentioned Goals 1 (no poverty), 6 (clean water), and 13 (climate action). The sampled universities in Turkey have established a restricted set of strategic objectives linked to SD Goals 2, 5, 10, and 11. These remarkable findings prompt inquiries into the underlying reasons for this constrained scope, warranting further investigation. A potential factor contributing to the limited objectives regarding these goals could be traced to a lack of awareness and understanding of the intricate connections between these goals and the overarching mission of higher education institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the strategic issues faced by public libraries in South Korea spanning the period from 2003 to 2022. An extensive examination of 176 strategic planning documents from 17 local governments resulted in the selection and analysis of 75 documents using a strategic planning analysis model. The findings reveal that issues such as staff/training, collaboration/networks, information literacy, digital libraries, physical space, and collection emerged as major concerns in the strategic planning of public libraries in Korea. An analysis of the top issues' distribution over fiveyear intervals showed that staff/training issues consistently held a high rank over the 20-year period, underscoring their enduring strategic importance. Conversely, collection-related issues started with a low rank between 2003 and 2007 but consistently rose in significance from 2008 to 2022, becoming crucial strategic considerations for public libraries. Notably, these trends align closely with the direction set by the Comprehensive Library Advancement Plan at the national level for each period. The study underscores how the national-level development plan for libraries significantly influences the detailed strategic planning directions of local public libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the ever-evolving landscape of global agricultural supply chains, ensuring traceability, transparency, and sustainability is paramount to guaranteeing food safety, combating fraud, and meeting consumer demands. The Philippine onion industry, a vital component of the nation's horticultural sector, grapples with challenges related to traceability and transparency that impact customer trust and economic sustainability. While the adoption of smart contract platforms has revolutionized traceability and transparency in various agricultural sectors worldwide, their potential in the Philippine onion market remains underutilized. This study employs a comprehensive meta-analysis approach to evaluate the existing traceability and transparency mechanisms within the Philippine onion industry, drawing insights from a diverse set of studies. The meta-analysis reveals a consistently positive impact of these mechanisms on traceability and transparency. The findings, supported by a range of studies, underscore the value of these mechanisms in improving product quality, supply chain efficiency, and transparency. The study further investigates the potential impact of smart contract platforms in enhancing traceability and transparency throughout the onion industry's supply chain. Meta-analysis results suggest that the adoption of smart contract platforms holds promise in furthering these objectives. Through automated record-keeping and real-time data sharing, smart contracts have the potential to address existing challenges related to data fragmentation and limited technological integration. Identifying barriers to smart contract platform adoption in the context of traceability and transparency, the study proposes a set of strategic initiatives and recommendations. These recommendations cater to various stakeholders, including government bodies, academic institutions, local authorities, onion farmers, and industry players, aiming to promote the widespread adoption of smart contract platforms. This study extends beyond the confines of the Philippine onion industry, offering valuable insights into the role of smart contract platforms in enhancing traceability, transparency, and sustainability within agricultural supply chains. As the world works towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, this research contributes to the realization of "Zero Hunger" and "Responsible Consumption and Production" by promoting transparent and sustainable supply chains. By bridging the gap in understanding the potential of smart contract platforms in enhancing traceability and transparency, this study paves the way for innovative solutions, inspiring trust, and fostering sustainable farming practices within the onion industry and, potentially, in similar sectors worldwide.

Corporate sustainability evolved in line with the advancement of the concept of sustainable development; thus, it is constituted as a strategy to respond to social and environmental problems. In this context, universities are understood as complex organizations, positioned as a key mechanism for delivering the sustainable development of society. This research aimed to analyze whether the strategic elements of Chilean state universities integrate components of sustainable development. For this purpose, qualitative research was undertaken through a documentary analysis of the strategic plans of the 18 Chilean state universities, focusing analysis on their strategic elements: their mission, vision and strategic institutional objectives. The results revealed that all universities mention at least one concept associated with one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their strategic guidelines. They mainly focused on 'Quality Education' (SDG 4) and 'Build resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation' (SDG 9). Also, the results allow us to visualize how universities address corporate sustainability issues through their strategic plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Universities are relevant agents in the promotion and implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to their role in society. An analysis of the relationship of Spanish universities with the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs has been carried out from three complementary perspectives: the web visibility of Spanish universities, both public and private; the presence in the current strategic plans of the Spanish public and private universities; and the Spanish academic production on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs in the Web of Science database. A quantitative and qualitative methodology has been used to analyse the three areas mentioned. The results show the growing interest in sustainability and the SDGs in Spanish universities in recent years, although some weaknesses that could be improved are also detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the article is to discuss strategic plan implementation challenges and performance of Malawi’s public organisations, with reference to Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and Malawi Posts Corporation (MPC). Following the introduction of public sector reforms in Malawi, government instituted policy directives for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to develop strategic plans. The philosophy behind the directive was that by introducing strategic plans in public organisations there will be efficient and effective service delivery and that consumers will get public value from improved services. Evidence suggests that public organisations continue to register dismal performance even with strategic plans due to a variety of challenges. The article adopts principal-agent and public value theories as well as PESTEL methods to identify strategic plan implementation challenges and to analyse performance of MACRA and MPC during 2016-2021. It finds that these Malawian public organisations performed dismally despite having strategic plans, because of political, economic, sociological, technological, legal and environmental challenges. The article recommends that there should be both incentives and penalties for public organisations as well as a comprehensive legal enforcement mechanism for strategic plans in order to ensure that they perform efficiently and effectively to the satisfaction of their principal, government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planning consists of thinking about the future and allows territories to be better prepared to take advantage of opportunities and face challenges that arise. In Portugal, tourism is one of the pillars of the economy, generating wealth and creating various job openings. In recent years, this destination has won several international awards and distinctions due to the quality of services and tourism offerings. Part of this success is due to the planning carried out by the entity responsible, Turismo de Portugal. This study aims to analyse the content and structure of national tourism plans implemented in Portugal since 2000. Furthermore, we want to understand: (1) the vision outlined for the Portuguese territory and the changes it has undergone in recent decades; (2) the methodologies that were used in the formation process of these plans, for instance, if public auscultation was used; (3) the main objectives defined for the territory and which were the actions that have been defined to achieve them. A qualitative methodology of document analysis was used, combined with the presentation of a case study related to tourism planning at a national level. The results show the growing importance of the tourism sector for the Portuguese economy. Since 2020, the growing involvement of stakeholders in the construction of strategic plans has also been evident through public consultation and an emphasis on sustainability practices in the tourism sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various strategic plans compiled by the local levels of government seek to advance the need to integrate strategic planning frameworks and improve service delivery and related content through the application of performance management tools. From the perspective of municipalities, all policies and plans at all levels of government need to be articulated with empirical based plan-level formulation and in compliance with set performance assessment criteria. Using South Africa as a case study, the methodology of the paper included a theoretical analysis of available (but applicable) performance management tools and processes. The focus and outcome were the development of a simplified performance management tool that supports elementary prioritization of projects and the setting of standards to address the growing needs, service backlogs, and informality challenges, thereby enhancing sustainable planning and development applicable to developing countries. The study findings highlight, firstly, the prevalence of persistent service delivery gaps in local government. Secondly, local government performance management and strategic plan implementation is constrained by measurement data, standards, and information gaps. Thirdly, inadequate legislative frameworks and strategic instruments applicable to local government in developing countries adds another layer of performance management gap dimensions. Fourthly, there is misalignment between policies, legislative provisions, and local needs in terms of a set of applicable measurement tools and standards relevant in a developing country. Fifthly, an oversight role gap exists in terms of clearly defining the roles and scope of responsibilities concerning performance management. These above-mentioned shortcomings read together constitute a service delivery performance management tools gap that needs to be overcome if improved service delivery is to be achieved. In view of the above-stated considerations, a simplified performance management tool to enhance service delivery in local government had to be developed. The developed simplified performance management tool assumes that the application of performance management assessment processes is to be aligned throughout all spheres of government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has not halted farmland biodiversity loss. The CAP post‐2023 has a new "Green Architecture," including the new "Eco‐scheme" instrument. How can this new Green Architecture help tackle the biodiversity crisis? Through 13 workshops and an online survey, over 300 experts from 23 European Member States addressed this question. From experts' contributions, key principles for success include preserving and restoring (semi)natural elements and extensive grasslands; improving spatial planning and landscape‐scale implementation, including through collective actions; implementing result‐based approaches; and improved knowledge exchange. To maximize the effectiveness of Eco‐scheme for biodiversity, experts highlighted the need to prioritize evidence‐based actions, allocate a sufficient budget for biodiversity, and incentivize management improvements through higher payment levels. Additionally, stronger coherence is needed among CAP instruments. For effective CAP implementation, the European Commission and the Member States should expand investments in biodiversity monitoring, knowledge transfer, and capacity‐building within relevant institutions. The remaining risks in the CAP's ability to reverse the loss of farmland biodiversity still require better design, closer monitoring, greater transparency, and better engagement with farmers. Additionally, greater involvement of scientists is needed to guide the CAP toward restoring farmland biodiversity while accounting for synergies and trade‐offs with other objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary organizations live in an era of interest in intellectual and cognitive maturity and are directed towards more studies and research on the importance of human resources for organizations, as the long steps taken by international organizations towards achieving strategic success. It came through the center of its strength and launch, which is the human resources that gave it all the possibilities and means that enable it to innovate and develop. No success can be achieved without taking care of human resources. Hence, the intellectual dilemma of this study dealt with the impact of human resources management in preparing strategic plans. The study arrived at a set of conclusions and recommendations result that all the relations of influence for human resources management strategies and strategic success were strong and significant moral as well as the significance of all this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various strategic plans compiled by the local levels of government seek to advance the need to integrate strategic planning frameworks and improve service delivery and related content through the application of performance management tools. From the perspective of municipalities, all policies and plans at all levels of government need to be articulated with empirical based plan-level formulation and in compliance with set performance assessment criteria. Using South Africa as a case study, the methodology of the paper included a theoretical analysis of available (but applicable) performance management tools and processes. The focus and outcome were the development of a simplified performance management tool that supports elementary prioritization of projects and the setting of standards to address the growing needs, service backlogs, and informality challenges, thereby enhancing sustainable planning and development applicable to developing countries. The study findings highlight, firstly, the prevalence of persistent service delivery gaps in local government. Secondly, local government performance management and strategic plan implementation is constrained by measurement data, standards, and information gaps. Thirdly, inadequate legislative frameworks and strategic instruments applicable to local government in developing countries adds another layer of performance management gap dimensions. Fourthly, there is misalignment between policies, legislative provisions, and local needs in terms of a set of applicable measurement tools and standards relevant in a developing country. Fifthly, an oversight role gap exists in terms of clearly defining the roles and scope of responsibilities concerning performance management. These above-mentioned shortcomings read together constitute a service delivery performance management tools gap that needs to be overcome if improved service delivery is to be achieved. In view of the above-stated considerations, a simplified performance management tool to enhance service delivery in local government had to be developed. The developed simplified performance management tool assumes that the application of performance management assessment processes is to be aligned throughout all spheres of government.

In this work the strategic plans of Spanish university libraries are studied, specifically, 47 publicly owned libraries. The essential part of the study has focused on analyzing allusions to communication in order to proceed to a comparative analysis between the different texts and check the aspects of organizational communication management that they reflect. Of the libraries analyzed, 28 use strategic plans, of which 85.7% address communication-related aspects. The most accurate and detailed information is in the actions (or strategies) and in some of the objectives. The priorities presented are, for example, those related to dissemination and marketing plans; improvements in the internal communication of library staff; or communication with users, etc [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of study: The paper explores whether the legislative proposal for the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2021 and the novelty of comprehensive strategic planning at Member State (MS) level can bring about a greener, more multifunctional policy paradigm. While existing research has explored long-term policy change over the entire decision-making process, this study aims to demonstrate the usefulness of conducting policy analysis at the inception of the legislative procedure. Area of study: The study applies to the European Union. Material and methods: The research employs a qualitative method of policy analysis, using a combination of three theoretical frameworks – social learning, path dependency and intergovernmentalism. Extensive document analysis and in-depth interviews were applied to evaluate the proposed reform and gauge the responses of key interest groups. Main results: The proposal holds potential for a substantial overall greening of the policy but will be strongly dependent on implementation at the MS level; the institutional framework provides space for increased environmental ambition, but does not guarantee it, as the proposed safeguards are too weak. Research highlights: More accountability is required during the formulation and implementation of Strategic Plans. Due to strong elements of path dependency and intergovernmentalism, an overall paradigm shift at EU level is unlikely. Strengthening the role of MSs is weakening the commonality of the policy that guarantees at least minimal environmental standards.

Copyright of Revista Española de Documentación Científica is the property of Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Thss review paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the history and the best practices of solar water heaters in Libya. Although, Libya is blessed with high solar potential, there is no wide-spread implementation of this technology due to many reasons such as: the cheap price of both electricity and electric water heaters, lack of clear and systematic policy, and lack of environmental awareness. Th Center for Solar Energy Research and Studies (CSERS) has given attention to this technology since its establishment in 1978, and the solar water heating system field test project is one of the research projects in the Center. Th paper has shown that there was no attention paid to this technology and even to renewable energy in general in the previous years. However, preliminary information clearly shows the importance of continuing research in this field. Numerous valuable information on solar water heating systems from literature were dedicated and made available for researchers and decision makers. The studies conducted in this field for Libya are arranged in this review on the bases of the topic studied: performance evaluation, optimization, on-site measurements and policies and strategies. One of the most important results retrieved from these studies show that the daily quantity of hot water withdrawn per capita at 45 °C is estimated around 60 litres. The estimated annual amount of energy consumed for water heating per person is 510 kWh. For average Libyan family of six persons, the annual amount of energy consumed per dwelling is estimated about 3060 kWh. The review also presented the history of solar water heaters implementation, manufacturing and testing facilities for quality control in Libya. The study calls upon the Libyan decision makers to take their responsibility and put an urgent action plan to help the wide-spread implementation of solar water heaters in the residential, services and industrial sectors. Such a plan will surely alleviate the ever increasing demand for electricity, save fossil fuel reserves and mitigate GHG emissions.

In this contribution we will develop the concept of organizational climate and we will see the implications for human development. The strategic planning that organizations should carry out requires lines of action oriented towards the internal functioning of the organization from the perspective of its employees. With this objective, we will develop the topic and link it with the information units as work environments, so that they bet on knowledge management and on various forms of synergy between people. In development, we will argue about the importance of organizations working consciously in building a good working climate. We will focus on the development of key concepts such as strategic planning, leadership, knowledge management and information culture. In closing, I make recommendations for the development of strategic lines of action to generate a shared vision of the organization, in order to build an informational culture that links collaborative learning and knowledge management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Estudios de la Administración Local y Autonómica is the property of Instituto Nacional de Administracion Publica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Strategic management by which managers guide their organizations towards strategic objective can be as important in the businesses as in the municipalities. Particular importance has strategic performance management, which puts a great emphasis on the importance of strategy execution in municipalities, too. Municipalities should be able to identify success factors, especially intangible, which mould make the municipality make an successful and different one. The paper emphasises the central importance of municipal strategic management. The aim of the contribution is to identify solved priorities and deficiencies in strategic plans based on the collection of secondary sources (websites of municipalities) and to discuss strategic planning of municipalites within the Moravian-Silesian Region in the Czech Republic. The paper suggests the improvement in the strategic plans based on an analysis of these plans and on a primary research.

This article addresses the reality of cultural planning in Spain, analysing the reasons for starting a planning process, the actors who are the driving force behind it, as well as the work methodology and implementation. It also considers the obstacles to its development and the results generated during cultural planning projects in local administrations (both in city-based strategic plans and in specific cultural plans), in autonomous regions and in cultural institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategic plans are frameworks for strategic describing and implementing for the use of managers in knowledge age which explains the changing way of initiatives and organization source into tangible financial results and customer –oriented. In this study efforts were made on the basis of a model of strategic plan in governmental agencies and nonprofit office of Kaplan and Norton (2004) and strategic plan of Kurdistan gas companies using the Delphi technique. With the help of university experts and assist which have been designed and by the use of indicators of performance evaluation system a balance in descriptive manner is assessed. Statistical society of this study is the personnel of Kurdistan gas companies and the amount of the sample was 274 that were allocated in the random categories fitting the society amount. The results showed that the company has been able to achieve satisfactory results in the covering of designed map and four hypotheses were confirmed based on the four dimensions of balanced scorecard. In the probe of amount of being in the same direction with strategy in three different levels, two specialized levels, exploitation and technical engineering, were in the same direction but in the area of financial and supporting there was lack of having the same direction. And internal processes perspectives were the only factors which were confirmed and agreed by all level company.

Historic towns and cities are a distinctive element of Italian settlement. Despite their strategic role in structuring the Italian territorial framework, over the last few years they have been troubled by widespread abandonment and decay. While a major transition from preservation to regeneration policies has taken place, it has become evident that a crucial aspect is the evaluation of achieved goals and final success. Against this background, the main purpose of this study is to highlight the need to provide a crosscutting and fully accessible set of indicators for measuring regeneration strategies for historic towns, and to develop a methodological proposal helping local authorities in assessing the effectiveness of their development strategies and supporting the possible rescheduling of interventions while raising the interest about the use of indicators. An operational tool – the Set of Indicators for historic cities – is proposed based on the analysis and the selection of indicators adopted internationally. The conceptual structuring of indicators is explored with a discussion of the selection process and the definition of a scoring framework. The casestudy analysis is also reported – indicators being applied to Toscana and Sardegna to test the extent and the validity of the proposed indicators. Conclusions are drawn concerning potential benefits and the applicability of the set of Indicators for historic towns.

This paper summarizes an early part of a wider research project on decision making and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) processes. The screening phase of EA has been explored very little even though it represents the starting point of decision making about SEA. Activities in the Lazio and V eneto regions were investigated and evaluated. This study highlighted that generally neither Lazio nor Veneto subjected their plans and programmes to SEA. This tendency is also confirmed in cases where many critical elements exist and also when somerelevant institutional opinions have certified the need for evaluation. The results reveal that, in this way, Strategic Environmental Assessment appears as a planning tool which is considered marginal for sustainable development aims.

China, in its construction fever, has imported from Europe a great range of architectural and design features. The planning systems of China and of most European countries are based on functionalzoning, allowing meaningful comparison. Nonetheless, the process and goals of spatial planning differ markedly and China largely ignores the distinctive progress achieved in the field in Europe. AcrossEurope, the model of planning is undergoing important transformations in the last decades, gradually making decisions concerning land­use more participated, flexible and sustainable, and safeguarding the rural dimension. In contrast, the planning system of China is primarily focused on promoting urban GDP growth and is still based on a top­ down approach. The inclusion of some key elements of European planning into the Chinese system, with particular reference to laws establishing national standards and comprehensive environmental protection, would benefit China by reducing the internal inequalities between cities and countryside and safeguarding its natural assets.

Some reflections on practice

Human activities, especially over the last two centuries, have had a huge impact on the environment and the landscape. Mankind is able to control and induce landscape changes but is subject to natural processes and hazards due to severe and extreme events (particularly earthquakes but also landslides and flooding) and related risks. Risks are the result of hazards, exposed elements and vulnerability and they are consequently not only an expression of the natural environment, but also related to human interaction with nature. Risks need to be addressed regularly by means of a high level of knowledge in order to provide most up­to­date information for any decision which needs to be taken by any party involved. A high level of knowledge concerning natural hazards and related risks stems from the geological and geomorphological history and from the historical records of the natural processes and grows with multi­scale, multi­temporal and multidisciplinary studies and investigations, which include land management, economic and social issues. A strong effort has to be made in this way to improve risk assessment and the enforcement of existing laws and ­ if necessary ­ new laws, really stem from recent disasters. This will help to achieve improved and effective land management, based on an interdisciplinary approach in which expert geologists and land managers will play a role, because of the importance of natural processes in inducing risks.

The earthquake that on the 20th of May hit Emilia has not been one of the most disastrous in modern Italian history, but it has highlighted the problem of preservation of industrial activities during a reconstruction process. In addition, precisely this system, characterized by great vitality and productivity but also by large seismic vulnerability, was the most affected. Through an analysis of the damages suffered by the industrial facilities, not so much as single buildings but precisely as a system, we want to highlight the challenges imposed by the earthquake: on the one hand, the urgent need to provide for delocalizations and temporary structures to avoid a stop in production in the short­term, and on the other, the re­design and anti­seismic re­planning of productive areas. A proposal was put forward to create temporary zones adjacent to the damaged areas, on which temporary structures should be installed. The latter would allow to limit relocations of medium­long range, which are negative for the territory, and at the same time it would allow the flexibility necessary to re­organize the supply chains. However, in Italy, the management of temporary solutions is seen as a practice too much linked to the emergency and too little to the reconstruction process. The first measures put into place by both the State and the Regions, however, do not seem to show a true understanding of the importance of management and regulations of temporary solutions in the medium­ long term.

The Municipal Development Plan (Piano Urbanistico Comunale - PUC) of Acerra has been drafted by a group of young professionals and researchers, led by Leonardo Benevolo, in accordance with the guidelines laid out by Regional Law no. 16 of 2004. Its complex drafting process was compressed into a brief, nine-month period in 2008 and 2009, at the end of which its initial adoption (or “predisposizione” – “preparation” or “predisposition” – in Italian legal terms) was ratified by the municipal council. This article reconstructs the key moments, illustrating the main elements of the plan and how the debate about it took shape both inside and outside the municipal administration.

Pompeii municipal council has a highly complex organizational framework; the development of a new municipal urban plan for the city therefore requires the use of innovative instruments capable offacilitating the convergence of different institutions towards strategic urban renewal actions and the overall improvement of the municipal territory. To work towards this, there has been a proposal for aninstitutional interpretation of the urban plan as a useful instrument for the immediate evaluation of the spin-off effects on the physical city. The urban project is configured as an anticipation of the plansolution, which enables verification of the effects on the physical level and especially the evaluation of the institutional compatibility of the proposals, with a measured increase of the executive capacity of the plan.

It is clear, as recently established scientifically, that global change is produced byman­made activities carried out on the planet. For a long time, experts have found anomalies and irrationally risky human actions as regards processes which are destroying environmental systems and their natural biotypes. Cities, where in a few years about the 75% of the global population is expected to live, represent one of the main entropic systems, inparticular because of the concentration of climate­ altering activities. The attention given to subjects: “sustainable” development, participated urban planning, sustainable mobility, andsoon, has been characterising investigations in the field of urban and regional sciences. It is now necessary to achieve a new “ethic” in urban planning, in order to pass from investigation to practice, by codifying a new sustainable process in order to manage territorial transformations. This paper suggests an investigation on this new process, defined as “eco town planning”, pointing out the basic features and the systemic approach on which it is based. Finally a case study is described whichhasbeencarriedoutinamid­sizecityinItaly:Benevento. An “off­grid” urban district, with no green house gas emissions, has been designed for the new city master plan.

This paper focuses on describing the contents of Reconstruction Plans for the historical centres of Villa Sant'Angelo and Fossa as urban projects. In spite of the specificity of the two cases presented ­ different from each other in terms of starting condition, the level and extent of damage and the intrinsic qualities of the urban fabric ­ it emphasizes the methodology defined and used for the formation ofmanagement tools for post earthquake reconstruction. The plan decisions derive from in­depth analysis and research carried out on both these centres aimed at defining intervention categories and guidelines for reconstruction and for preserving the local characteristics of buildings with measures and solutions integrated with the history of the damaged cities. Based on the identification of the main characteristics of the local built environment, the plans for Villa Sant'Angelo and Fossa define projects where transformations and even different types of development are possible; these are derived, in any case, from that same built identity continuing its themes.

Since the end of the Second World War, the architectural and planning culture has been showing a fluctuating attention to the theme of historical centres and their enhancement. First of all this uneven progress explains the difficulty to reach a homogeneous definition and this is still lacking. During a long phase of this period, the historical parts of the town were considered as objects to be preserved in an integral way, as urban monuments. This is mostly due to the high symbolic value of these settlements, that represent fundamental landmarks. Identity building and empowerment of local communities are indispensable conditions for any development programme, especially in the case of centres or other historic environments at risk of abandonment. The progressive evolution of this concept brings awareness of the impossibility of separating – either in analytical or in planning terms ­ historical centres from their urban and territorial contexts, which are linked by mutual, deep relationships. This article attempts to retrace the steps signaled by the publication of international documents and conventions, from the Charter of Gubbio (1960) to the Charter of Krakow and the European Landscape Convention (2000); they obviously represent particular points of view, not exhaustive of the richness of the positions in the debate, but extremely significant in terms of diffusion and consensus.

The article, that represents the outcome of an integration among a study of recent literature and an on­site enquiry realized at the end of the 2010 at the University of New Orleans and at the TulaneUniversity, reviews the plans and actions for the reconstruction of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The aim is to demonstrate that, though the natural disaster has inflicted tension to city fabric, these projects, analyzing the economic and social contexts, have constituted an opportunity to provide a spread of urban quality and community aggregation, both eliminating present inequities and strengthening the cultural identity and the relationships with the public spaces of everyday life.

This article will provide an introduction and description of the Cittaslow organisation, its history, philosophy and policy. The organisation is reviewed through the lenses of place­sustaining,localisation and the importance of identity. Much of this article is based upon research from 2004 and 2005, conducted by the author, in Europe (primarily Italy) and from the author’s home­base in Canada. The original intention was to analyse the case of Cittaslow, as it seeks to sustain the local sense of place and the identity inherent to each individual urban area.