Local/Municipality

<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span><span>It is most important to take into account the state-specific circumstances, as well as local and regional specificities. For example, the German public administration differs fundamentally from public administration in other countries. Solutions that were identified as right and expedient for one country are not automatically useful in another. The possibilities of implementation will vary due to diverse traditions and organisational cultures. That is why "one size fits all"-policies should be avoided.[1] </span></span>...</span></p>

<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span><span>Public management has to react to changes in national and global contexts. A current key driver for changes can be seen in the Europeanisation, which affects the level of member states, caused by EU integration processes. Successful administrative action in the multilevel European system requires adjustments, ensuring efficient dealing with European objectives. As a result, - despite different traditions in the member states - there is an increasing convergence in the policy making and institutional decision making structures...</span></span></span></p>

<p><span><span>Evaluation represents a separate stage in the policy cycle, but has to be pointed out as an own need in public administration. Evaluation decides whether a policy will be finished, modified and/or continued. At the same time, it can inform about results and consequences (intended and not intended). Only if policies are evaluated, potential improvement will be identified and at best implemented. In this context, it should be emphasised that a policy is never completed and is always evolving. This makes a qualitative and regular evaluation essential. The relevance of this need...</span></span></p>

<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span><span>To improve public administration´s image, it is important to rebuild the trust in it. The citizens’ cooperation seems essential to achieve public purposes. The lack of trust can make the formulation and implementation of policies more difficult or even impossible. Relevant factors that influence citizens’ trust is the administrations´ integrity, as well as its performance. Transparency and public participation can be helpful possibilities to increase the trust in government and administration.[1][2][3] </span></span></span>...</p>

<p><span><span>The focus group, that has been conducted with domain experts in the fields social security and institutional question on local and regional level has proven one more time, that strategic planning is fundamental important. For its success, the focus group advised to fund long-term digitisations strategies adequately, as this is essential for the implementation of new tasks. </span></span></p>

<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span><span>Concerning the public, a close cooperation between public administration and citizens seems essential. Through participative democracy and public involvement, a new relationship between the citizens and the administrations can be established. The publicity becomes a valued partner to identify problems, discover new thinking and propose solutions. This can be seen as a profit for public administrations, because the experiences of the citizens can be contributed into the administration and help to improve, for example, its...</span></span></span></p>

<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span><span>Already the political economist and sociologist Max Weber once has pointed out that decision makers need to ensure the rationality of their decisions, by trying to balance out the best relation of means and ends.[1]</span></span></span></p>

<p><span lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span><span>Consequently, policy makers need to clarify the targets that they want to reach through certain political programmes and norms. In fact, the executive bodies need quite precise targets, since they are responsible for the...</span></span></span></p>

By using social media in governmental context, a new form of interaction between citizens and government can be established. The social media data can be used to collect useful information about citizens’ needs and opinions, as well as integrate citizens directly in the decision making process. Some governmental institutions also use their own social media accounts and post content online. [1][2]