https://hdl.handle.net/10419/30003 2026-09-15T22:39:42Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/337863 Title: Grant Auditing in Focus: Perspectives of State Auditors and Beneficiaries on Efficiency and Challenges Authors: Gadžo, Amra; Jagodić, Anida; Delić, Erna Abstract: This study analyses the significance, effects, and challenges of grant auditing in the public sector of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on identifying systemic weaknesses that limit the effectiveness of public fund management. Given that transfers account for 50–73% of the FBiH budget, their auditing represents a critical component of public financial oversight.The research employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, integrating data from three sources: the views of state auditors (n=60), the views of audit subjects (n=100), and a systematic content analysis of audit reports for the period 2010–2023. Through seven research questions, the paper explores the significance of grant auditing, its impact on management efficiency and transparency, the frequency and types of irregularities, as well as the quality and feasibility of audit recommendations. Key findings reveal a paradoxical situation. While state auditors clearly recognise the strategic importance of grant auditing (M=4.40), and audit subjects assess audit recommendations as justified (M=4.03) and clear (M=4.03), there exists a substantial implementation gap. The feasibility of recommendations was rated considerably lower (M=3.37). The study identifies a cascading effect of systemic weaknesses that extends throughout the entire grant lifecycle, with the most critical areas being the complete absence of performance evaluation, unmeasurable allocation criteria, and inadequate supervision. Non-profit organisations were identified as the most vulnerable category of grant beneficiaries (M=3.87 vs. 2.85 for public enterprises). The most significant finding relates to the critical level of the accountability deficit. The lack of sanctions for managers (M=4.00) and political pressure from higher levels (M=3.73) were identified as key barriers to the implementation of recommendations, while workload was assessed as the least significant factor (M=2.73). This indicates that the problem is not technical (the quality of recommendations) or capacity-related (lack of time), but rather a fundamental issue of governance and political will. The study concludes that transformation is possible through holistic reforms that simultaneously address accountability mechanisms, systemic grant management procedures, institutional capacities, and protection against political interference. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/341696 Title: The Nexus Between Technology and Economic Development in the European Union Authors: Tudorache, Maria-Daniela; Jianu, Ionut Abstract: Over the last two decades, technological progress has significantly transformed economic and social structures, making innovation and digitalization essential drivers of competitiveness and sustainable growth. However, EU still lags behind the US in terms of innovation, research and development expenditure. This paper examines the relationship between technological factors and economic development in European Union Member States. The analysis is based on panel data covering 2010-2024, with an effective estimation sample of 2012-2024 due to lag structure and first difference transformations to improve the model accuracy. The analysis applies the Panel Estimated Generalized Least Squares (EGLS) method, using Period SUR as GLS weights option and as a coefficient covariance method. The results identify positive and significant associations between the research and development expenditure / employment in technology and knowledge intensive sectors and GDP per capita. In contrast, unemployment shows a negative relationship with economic performance. These findings highlight the important role of innovation and knowledge-based sectors in supporting economic growth and competitiveness within the European Union. The results suggest that research and development activities are associated with higher levels of economic development across the European Union. This finding is particularly relevant in the current context, given that the European Union has consistently failed to meet its R&D expenditure targets throughout the 2010-2024 period, with the share of R&D expenditure in GDP increasing by only 0.25 percentage points over the last 15 years. We also calculated the impact of greenhouse gas emissions per capita on GDP per capita, which was found to be positive, indicating the short-run cost of the green transition, as well as the negative effect of the major COVID-19 restriction on GDP per capita. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/341695 Title: The Role of Institutions in Poverty Reduction Authors: Jianu, Ionut; Tudorache, Maria-Daniela Abstract: In the last decades, institutional economics has gained increasing relevance in the economic literature, highlighting the essential role of institutions in enhancing socio-economic development. Although the relationship between institutional factors and people at risk of poverty rate has been extensively explored by many researchers important gaps remain in the literature regarding the intensity and variability on this impact, which may be higher or lower depending on the period and geographical area covered. Moreover, recent economic and social challenges within the European Union justify a reassessment of these relationships in the current economic context. The analysis applied Panel FGLS to estimate the impact of business freedom and government integrity (two of the most relevant institutional factors) on poverty rate in European Union over the period 2010-2024. The assessment process highlights an important negative impact of both factors on poverty rate, this raising the need to reflect corruption and business environment challenges in government policies. Nevertheless, human capital vulnerabilities, particularly early school leaving and poor health status, remain major drivers of poverty. Consequently, poverty alleviation may become a feasible objective only if EU Member States and European authorities will promote a balance policy approach by enhancing human capital without affecting economic freedom or increasing corruption. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/315549 Title: 7-digit Product-level Supply-Use and Input-Output Tables Using ASI Data Authors: Dutta, Sourish Abstract: This paper constructs 7-digit product Supply-Use Tables (SUTs) and symmetric Input-Output Tables (IOTs) for the Indian economy using microdata from the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for the period 2016-2021. We outline the methodology for generating input flows and reconciling registered and unregistered sector data via NPCMS-NIC concordance. The transition from SUTs to IOTs is explained using the Industry Technology Assumption. We apply this framework to analyse the economic impact—specifically Domestic Value Added (DVA) and employment influenced by production and exports. A case study of India's mobile phone sector reveals significant output growth, import substitution, an increase in exports, a shift in DVA/FVA shares, notable employment growth, with a leaning towards contractual labour, and increased female participation. These tables are valuable for analysing sectoral interdependencies and industrial policy effectiveness in India. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z