TENDENCIES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

Abstract

In this paper, the author analyses the tendencies of the development of public services in the Republic of Croatia. The aim of the paper is to illustrate key reform efforts in the area of public services by following the processes of liberalisation, deregulation, privatisation, commercialisation and remunicipalization of public services. The first part of the paper outlines key tendencies in the development of public services through terminological determinations. The central part addresses the notion of public service in Croatian legislation with regard to historical overview of the development of legislative framework of public services along with the analysis of public institutions as fundamental organisational form of public service practice. Furthermore, the paper emphasizes main principles in public service practice, the principle of independence, principle of legitimacy, principle of continuity, principle of obligation of providing customer service, principle of equality of service users, principle of transparency and principle of non-mercantilism. The author highlights specific features of the so called economic, that is, commercial public services. As opposed to economic public services, there are the so called non-economic or non-commercial public services, such as for example education, healthcare, culture and similar. The modalities of participation of private sector in public service with final considerations are presented in the final part of the paper. Primary contribution to science about administration is reflected in the analysis of key tendencies in the development of public services, analysis of public institutions as fundamental organisational forms of public service practice and in forming final contributions with suggestions for improvement of functioning of public services in Croatia.