https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/11491 2026-04-11T11:32:02Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118998 Title: The lack of strategic planning in the day-to-day running of supermarkets in Malta Abstract: This research identifies the lack of strategic planning in Maltese supermarkets and from where this deficiency derives. It explores in detail what strategic planning is, how it is formulated, and what type of analytical tools are to be used so as to assess all the possible factors that will have an impact on the organisation. The analysis of primary gives an insight on the factors which are leading administrators to diverge from the proper implementation of strategic planning. Additionally, secondary data is used to obtain further insight of variables and identify alternative means to assess factors that may become potential threats. The general findings in this study have show that strategic planning is not given the importance it should by entrepreneurs in the food retailing industry. It has been found that there are some misconceptions about the methods used to collect data and the formulation of strategic planning. Moreover, entrepreneurs do not assess the complete or essential spectrum of variables. They tend to adhere to three or four factor which feel are important and neglect the other variables constituting the micro and macroenvironments. These results indicate that if supermarkets perform serious data gathering and strategic planning regularly, this could greatly enhance their performance. This planning could also help in the eventuality of having foreign institutions opening their doors in the already saturated Maltese food retailing market. Ideally, Strategic Planning should become normal practice for any organisation in the running of the supermarkets. Adequate models should be used to assess the fast changing macroenvironment and maintain a steady momentum in assessing the microenvironment for continuous improvements. The various departments of the supermarkets should work in synchronisation to assess environments in their entirety to perform efficiently and effectively. Description: M.B.A. EXEC. 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98855 Title: Analysis of the efficiency and effectiveness of the standing committee on public accounts in the House of Representatives, Malta Abstract: The Members of the House of Representatives are elected by the citizens to represent them and one of their most important functions is that of ensuring that public funds are used effectively and efficiently, according to the needs and aspirations of those they represent. This was the reason behind the creation of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the objective of this study is that of analysing its work in the last two legislatures in order· to establish how effective and efficient this committee is in reaching its goals. The study is divided into three parts. The first part consists of an analysis of the history and the way the present British Public Accounts Committee functions whilst the second part tackles the same aspects for its Maltese equivalent. The study will show that the Maltese Public Accounts Committee was closely modelled on the British one. The third part of this study is an in-depth analysis of the minutes, transcripts and related documents of two controversial cases which the Maltese Public Accounts Committee had to scrutinize. The study concludes that despite the fact that the Maltese Public Accounts Committee is reaching its goals, this is not being done in the most efficient and effective way and recommends changes that would make the Maltese Public Accounts Committee more effective and efficient Description: DIP.PUBLIC ADMIN. 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98705 Title: Decentralisation of public services to local councils : is good governance being achieved? Abstract: The major objective of the consultation process undertaken by Government during 2008- 2009 to reform existing work practices of local councils was to assess citizens' expectations which have both increased and changed since the introduction of local councils in 1993. This Study was conducted to establish whether the general public is satisfied with the decentralisation of services to local councils and also to gauge the level of good governance as regards services being provided. Results were obtained by means of a questionnaire conducted by telephone during October 2009 amongst two hundred and forty households out of a list of three hundred provided by the National Statistics Office. It resulted that the majority of the Maltese citizens expect better quality services in areas such as those related to Infrastructure. Despite a more positive response to queries as regards services related to the Environment and Customer Care, the research shows that the level of overall services, fail to meet the required standards of service provision expected from citizens. On the other hand, the majority of the respondents overwhelmingly approved the reform measures that have been since introduced as a result of the consultation process. As Good Governance encompasses mainly the principles of democracy, public management and development, it is augured that these and further measures that are expected to be implemented, will fill the lacunae expressed by citizens in such areas of service provision. After all, achieving good governance at local council level will contribute to its achievement at the national level Description: DIP.PUBLIC ADMIN. 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98617 Title: The changes affecting the place of supply of services within the Maltese vat legislation, 2010-2013 Abstract: This document is one of the first analyses on the changes in the place of supply of services which were put into force in January 2010 and so, the title of the long essay was left broad and inclusive. This means that all the changes and the issues they raise could be discussed. However, due to the constraints of space, some issues are reviewed in greater detail than others and some issues of detail are left to be analysed by others in the future. Apart from describing the changes, an attempt was made to analyse the economic effect when favourable VAT rates are made available to the customer. Due to the fact that I am an employee at the Legal Section of the Maltese Vat Department, I had access to departmental interpretation of the VAT Act and the EU directives. I researched international tax practitioner readings and also other EU Member States' interpretations regarding these new amendments. Hopefully, this long essay will create a basis for further, more detailed analysis on the many issues raised. Description: DIP.PUBLIC ADMIN. 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z