Impact of Local Self-Government Institutions on Creating a Business-Friendly Environment: Multi-Criteria Analysis

Introduction

Entrepreneurial activities are very important for inclusion of developing local self-government units into national economy. Therefore, increase of entrepreneurial activities is seen as an opportunity for providing growth in developing LSG. A country representative bodies and institutions have a great role in creating business environment. However, they are not the only ones that should be taking actions and making positive environment for business activities. Local governments can also take part in encouraging entrepreneurship and business prosperity. They can create micro climate, which should make their communities recognizable and favourable for entrepreneurs. One of the first steps includes development of local economic strategies and plans with purpose of reducing risks for developing business and creating stable business environment. The chapter summarizes the problems and efforts concerning business environment improvements that local communities in Serbia were facing during the last two decades and the factors that influenced the reduction of business activities (Antic et al., 2013). Local governments in some cities have already realized the importance of local actions and discovering of local comparative advantages for increasing business activities and making better position inside regionally unbalanced Serbian economy (Stankovic et al., in press).

Two of the most influential determinants on business activities are business environment and the state and local government bodies’ ability to deal with specific problems in creating stable and favorable business environment. Especially in the period of the recent economic crisis these two factors have been analyzed from many different aspects (e.g. Grilli, 2011; Lavric, 2010; Bumgardner et al., 2011; Nicolescu et al., 2011). Similar conclusions can be found in research conducted by Ciocarlan-Chitucea and Popescu (2010), Norwood (2011), Dunkelberg and Wade (2012) as well as Nicolescu and Nicolescu (2013). The main conclusions of all mentioned scientific papers and studies refer to the multiple influence of the business environment on the business activities and the crucial role of the state institutions in developing and enabling business environment.

Some other studies show that local governments are likely the primary policy makers and regulators that entrepreneurs and small businesses encounter (McFarland et al., 2010). Unfortunately, many local governments do not know the impact of their efforts or what their most effective roles should be. Too often, local regulations can unknowingly create institutional and bureaucratic barriers that impede development and the speed to market for new businesses (Morris & Brennan, 2003; Roxas et al., 2008; Stankovic et al., 2013; Stankovic et al., 2014). Additionally, while most local governments have policies and programs designed to proactively support entrepreneurs and small businesses, these efforts are not necessarily well suited to meet the needs of the types of small businesses most likely to drive economic growth (McFarland & McConnell, 2011a).