I. Social
Surveys
II. Economic
Research
III. Marketing
Research
IV. Media
Research
V. Public Opinion
Surveys
VI. Publications
VII. Conference and
Seminars
VIII. Ongoing
Projects
1999 Highlights
•In 1999, Vitosha Research conducted 39 quantitative
and qualitative research projects in the fields of social and
economic research, marketing and media surveys, and public opinion
polls. Work on these projects included conducting 8,000
face-to-face interviews, 150 in depth interviews and 50 focus
groups.
• The collected information was summarized in 40
analytical reports, policy papers and newspaper publications.
• After the October 1999 local electionsVitosha
Research organized a series of three seminars on “Municipal
Elections in Bulgaria: a Look Ahead” to present the analyses of the
election results of leading Bulgarian pollsters and political
analysts.
• Vitosha Research pioneered the social assessment
studies in Bulgaria. Two projects evaluating the social impact and
efficiency of micro-projects implemented by Regional Initiative
Fund in the country were conducted.
I. Social
Surveys
The social research projects included six
quantitative and qualitative studies. Fieldwork consisted in
conducting about 1800 face-to-face interviews and 140 in-depth
interviews. The social research projects of Vitosha Research have
been commissioned by United States Agency for International
Development, Regional Initiatives Fund, Democracy Network Program,
Princeton Survey Research Associates, and Center for Economic
Development.
Infrastructure Micro-projects’ Beneficiary
Assessment
The main objective of the social assessment was to
evaluate the impact of the micro-projects implemented with the
support of the Regional Initiatives Fund (RIF). The research
methods employed included a combination of quantitative and
qualitative methods aimed at obtaining information from potential
beneficiaries, the contractors, RIF staff, local authorities,
supervising organizations, and local media. In particular the
beneficiary assessment sought to explore the specific social
relevance of the infrastructure projects to community needs, the
level of awareness of the local population about the projects, the
elements of the selection procedure, the appearance of conflicts,
and future sustainability pf the project results. This assessment
was carried out prior to project implementation and will be
followed by an “ex ante” survey after the end of the implementation
phase of the RIF infrastructure projects.
Results of the assessment showed that in all the
settlements projects were evaluated by local population as useful.
The majority of people reported that they would benefit personally
from the implementation of the projects. People’s expectations
focused mainly on the creation of temporary jobs and improvement of
public utilities. Some problems were also identified: personal
involvement in the selection of particular
projects was low; the level of employment at the new
project sites was rather low; the attitude of the local population
towards the projects was mainly passive moral support.
Evaluation of Anti-Poverty Impacts of
Micro-projects
The main objective of the project was to make a
social evaluation of the anti-poverty impact and effectiveness of
micro-projects implemented by the RIF. The study was based on
interviews with workers employed on construction sites and
interviews with representatives of contractor companies
implementing the projects. The more specific objectives and problem
areas were employment of workers from socially disadvantaged
groups: poor, unemployed and other minority groups; demographic
profile and socio-economic status of employed workers; differences
in the employment status of workers before and during the
implementation of the projects; changes in the economic status of
workers after starting work on the sites; attitudes of the workers
towards the projects and assessments of their social effect.
The main conclusion of the social assessment of the
RIF micro-projects’ anti-poverty impact was that they have managed
to reach their target group, i.e. temporary employment has been
created for low-skilled workers, the majority of whom had been
registered as unemployed; monthly income approximating the average
monthly salary in the country have been generated and, in this
respect, many of the workers, as well as their households, have
improved their economic situation.
II. Economic
Research
The main topics of the economic research projects
were company performance, macroeconomic expectations, corporate
governance and local economic development. Vitosha Research
conducted 220 face-to-face interviews and 3 focus groups with
company managers. Throughout the year Vitosha Research also
participated in the preparation of three sections of the monthly
Early Warning Reports for Bulgaria.
Global Competitiveness Survey
The survey is part of the effort of the World
Economic Forum at Davos to track developments of the world economy.
It was conducted jointly by Vitosha Research and the Center for
Economic Development. The study was based on interviews with
company managers of Bulgarian and foreign companies, and provided
information on the business climate in the country and the level of
competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy. A total of 125 interviews
with senior managers of 125 Bulgarian companies (private and
state-owned) and 32 foreign companies were conducted.
The results of the survey provided valuable
information about the state of the economy and the existing
opportunities for exportled growth. Bulgaria was included for the
first time in the official annual report of the World Economic
Forum “Global Competitiveness Report 1999”.
Corporate Governance in Transitional
Economy
This project was commissioned by the Center for
Economic Development and included a focus groups study with
directors of privatized companies, line ministry and agency
officials, representatives of capital market institutions, and
journalists. The main objective of the study was to obtain
information about the perceptions of corporate governance among
different groups, and the practically implemented corporate
governance models and their efficiency and to assess the role of
the state in introducing efficient management practices.
The study showed that the principles of corporate
governance are rather known more in theory than in practice. The
establishment of professional standards of corporate governance is
considered a necessary condition and important incentive for the
development of the capital market. Several important problems have
also been identified: opinions were expressed that the development
of corporations, and especially the establishment of public
companies in Bulgaria, occurs not according to the logic of
economic necessity but under administrative pressure; the role and
functions of the owners (shareholders) and management executive
bodies have not yet been clearly defined and differentiated; the
establishment of proper legal channels and mechanisms for ensuring
free, quick and cheap access to information about the joint-stock
companies was unanimously indicated as a key precondition for the
realization of the principles of corporate governance.
Early Warning System in Bulgaria
The project started in November 1997 and is
coordinated by the United National Development Program (UNDP). Work
on the project is carried out by a group of analysts from the
Department of International Relations Association, CSD,
British-Bulgarian Social Surveys, and Club Ekonomika 2000. Early
Warning Systems explore the possibility of anticipating and
responding to crisis situations before they become too violent, or
mitigating their effects once underway.
Work on the project includes the publication of a
monthly Early Warning Report monitoring of the dynamics of the
overall economic, social, political, religious and ethnic
environment in Bulgaria. Interest in the project has increased. The
report has been made available on the Internet at
www.undp.online.bg/ewr.
Corruption Monitoring System of Coalition
2000
Vitosha Research was extensively engaged in
conducting the surveys included in the Corruption Monitoring System
ofCoalition 2000. The CMS includes a comprehensive set of
qualitative and quantitative surveys aiming at different target
groups (general public, businessmen, public officials,
professionals, etc.). In 1999 a total of 5 quantitative and 5
qualitative surveys were conducted. The basic functions of the CMS
itself are related to its major outputs: the Corruption Indexes
ofCoalition 2000 and the Corruption Assessment Report. Corruption
indexes summarize the most important corruption indicator variables
to evaluate and measure the proliferation of corrupt practices in
different spheres of society. The Corruption Indexes ofCoalition
2000 were published three times in 1999.
The results of the CMS show a positive change in
attitudes against corruption (i.e. higher intolerance).
Citizens are less likely to accept various forms of corruption as
normal, or use corrupt practices as a means of coping with
problems. A climate of intolerance towards corruption and a
critical attitude towards corrupt public officials, including in
the high ranks of power, is being fostered in society.
For the most part public opinion consistently
qualifies as corrupt the following sectors: customs, tax
administration, court system (including judges, lawyers, court
officials, prosecutors), and the police. Public opinion has become
far more critical towards corruption and the policies claiming to
fight it. In 1999 there was a tangible fall in public confidence
that the authorities are truly taking steps to counter
corruption.
Factors Influencing the Spread of
Corruption
According to the public many of the factors
contributing to the spread of corruption are immediately related to
the structure and functioning of the public sphere. It is commonly
believed that this sphere is both conducive to corrupt practices
and does not create regulatory and functional preconditions for
curbing those practices.
Main Factors Influencing the Spread of Corruption
in Bulgaria (%)*
|
February '99
|
April '99
|
September '99
|
Fast personal enrichment sought by those in
power
|
53,5
|
52,9
|
54,8
|
Low salaries
|
51,9
|
51,5
|
43,6
|
Imperfect legislation
|
41,1
|
38,8
|
37,8
|
Lack of strict administrative control
|
35,2
|
36,4
|
33,8
|
Intertwinement of official duties and personal
interests
|
25,1
|
25,8
|
28,3
|
Ineffectiveness of the judicial system
|
26,4
|
19,6
|
27,5
|
Moral crisis in the period of transition
|
19,4
|
19,4
|
19,4
|
Problems inherited from the communist past
|
10,9
|
6,8
|
7,4
|
Specific characteristics of Bulgarian national
culture
|
5,7
|
6,9
|
4,7
|
Source:Coalition 2000 CMS
* Notes:1. Indicates the percentage of those citing
each of the factors quoted.
2. The total sum of percentages exceeds 100% as up
to three factors have been evaluated.
III. Marketing
Research
The basic topics of marketing research projects
were:
•Internet services: focus group discussion with
Internet users aimed at exploring the motivation of the clients to
become Internet users, the level of knowledge about Internet
services market, and evaluation of Internet providers.
•Carbonated soft drink usage and consumption: brand
image and carbonated soft drink usage; tracking the effects of the
advertising campaign of Schweppes in the media.
•Evaluation of packaging and labels of new brands of
mineral water. The survey explored consumers attitudes towards
different packaging and labeling.
•Assessment of energy consumption patterns of the
population in the municipality of Sofia. The survey focused on
household energy consumption patterns and also explored energy
needs, assessment of the quality of services provided, as well as
evaluation of alternative household heating models.
IV. Media
Research
In 1999 media research focused on foreign radio
station programming evaluation (Voice of America, Deutche Welle,
BBC), structure and dynamics of social attitudes towards media in
Bulgaria and assessment of media audiences of Radio Vitosha in
Sofia. A total of three quantitative and five qualitative media
projects were conducted. They included focus groups, face-to-face
interviews and desk research. The media research projects were
commissioned by the InterMedia Survey Institute (Washington D.C.),
ARC Fund and Vitosha Radio (Sofia).
V. Public Opinion
Surveys
A total of four public opinion research projects
were conducted in 1999. The basic topics covered were: public
opinion about politics and the economy, NATO and the European
Union, public opinion about the war in Kosovo, opinions about
charitable donation making. The projects were commissioned by the
United Stated Information Agency, the Sociological Research Center
of the Ministry of Defense (Bulgaria), and SOS – Kinderdorf,
Bulgaria.
VI.
Publications
Research findings were widely disseminated in the
press. More than 30 newspaper articles were published in the papers
with national distribution. The following analytic reports and
policy papers were also prepared in 1999:
•Institutional Infrastructure of the NGO Sector:
Organizations with Socio-Economic Orientation, March 1999
•Regional Development and Local Government Reform:
Condition, Factors, Trends and Roles of “The Third Sector”, April
1999
•Corporate Governance under Conditions of Transition
to Market Economy, March1999
•The Public Attitude to NATO - Structure, Dynamics,
Trends, June 1999
•Attitudes towards Corruption in the Healthcare and
Educational Systems in Bulgaria, June 1999
•Beneficiary Expectations and Evaluations of the
Results of Micro-projects Implemented by the Regional Initiative
Fund, October 1999
•Evaluation of Micro-projects Anti-Poverty Impact,
November 1999
•Structure and Dynamics of Social Attitudes towards
Mass Media in Bulgaria, October1999
VII. Conference and
Seminars
Vitosha Research staff members participated in
several international and national conferences and seminars:
•International conference “NATO at 50 and in the
Future: Public Opinion in the East and the West”, June 1999, Sofia,
Bulgaria
•Anticorruption Workshop – United Nations
Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute; July 1999,
Budapest
•International conference “10 years after”, Freedom
House, July 1999, Budapest, Hungary
•Annual Conference of Hungary Sociological
Association, July 1999, Budapest
•Public discussion “The corruption problem in public
administration”, July 1999, Lovech, Bulgaria
•Social Impact Assessment Seminar, UNDP, August,
1999, Sofia, Bulgaria
•9th International Anti-Corruption Conference
“Global Integrity: 2000 and Beyond”, October 1999, Durban, South
Africa
•Seminars “Municipal Elections in Bulgaria: A Look
Ahead”, October-November1999, Sofia, Bulgaria
•Second Annual Meeting of the Anti-Corruption
Network for Transition Economies, November 1999, Istanbul
•International Development Law Institute seminar
“Legal prevention and judicial control of corruption”, November
1999, Rome, Italy
•ISPAC Conference “Responding to the Challenges of
Corruption”, November 1999, Milan, Italy (International Scientific
and Professional Advisory Council of the United Nations Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice Program)
•International Conference “Contribution of Social
Research to the Economic and Social Recovery Policy”, November
1999, Sofia, Bulgaria
•International Meeting “Ten Years Later. Lessons
Learned for the Future”, November1999, Sofia, Bulgaria
VIII. Ongoing
Projects
In cooperation with a consortium of research
agencies from Central and Eastern Europe lead by Gallup – Hungary,
Vitosha Research participates in the Eurobarometer for the
Commission of the European Union. The “Eurobarometer” project is an
international three-year study including an annual tracking of
social attitudes that is to be conducted in the countries applying
for membership in the European Union.
Corruption Monitoring in Southeast Europe is another
important project launched by Vitosha Research, jointly with CSD,
in November 1999. It aims at studying corruption as a key element
of regional stability in the context of the Stability Pact. Within
this project a system for monitoring the level of transparency,
efficiency and corruption of public administration in Bulgaria,
Macedonia and Albania will be developed and tested. This regional
system is based on the already existing Corruption Monitoring
System ofCoalition 2000, implemented by Vitosha Research in
Bulgaria.
Vitosha Research is also actively involved in the
implementation of the “Accountable Government in the East-Central
Europe: Self and Public Perception” in partnership with NGOs from
Romania and Slovakia. The objective of the project is to assess the
level of transparency, accountability and responsibility of the
public administration on a comparative basis, and to explore the
public expectations and attitudes about these issues. The project
will provide systematic regional information on the institutional
culture of the central government administration and parliamentary
agencies in Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia.
Preconditions for Corruption and
Frequency of Acts of Corruption
Public opinion is becoming less tolerant towards
corruption and less inclined to use corrupt practices (Figure 1). A
positive development is also to be observed with respect to the
sector (Figure 2). Nevertheless, the actual frequency of citizens
involvement in acts of corruption remains unchanged.
Figure 1
Preconditions for Corruption
Source:Coalition 2000 CMS
Figure 2
Frequency of Acts of Corruption
Source: Coalition 2000 CMS
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