Naslov
How Croatian Local Governments Protect Consumers from Themselves

Autori
Brčić-Stipčević, Vesna ; Guszak, Irena ; Petljak, Kristina

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
1st Annual EuroMed Conference of the EuroMed Academy of Business : European and Mediterranean Trends and Challenges in the 21st Century : proceedings / Vrontis, Demetris ; Weber, Yaakov ; Kaufmann, Rudi ; Tarba, Shlomo - : EuroMed Press, 2009, 103-125

ISBN
978-9963-634-58-3

Skup
1st Annual EuroMed Conference of the EuroMed Academy of Business (1 ; 2008)

Mjesto i datum
Marseille, Francuska, 17.11.2008. - 18.11.2008

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
consumer protection; freshwater distribution; utility companies; market power; Croatia

Sažetak
Croatian local governments are entitled to ensure the freshwater distribution systems in their local communities. Most frequently, utility companies are awarded the task to provide the actual freshwater distribution service and they operate as local monopolists. On the other hand, local governments are also entitled to actively participate in the consumer protection system. As consumers are in an unfavorable position in the freshwater distribution market, the problem of conflict of interest rises for local governments. This paper aims to find out if local governments indeed can protect consumers’ rights in the utility services sector. Design/methodology/approach. The research is based on secondary data (desk) research. Within the framework of secondary research, the relevant domestic and foreign literature with the topic of consumer rights protection and the local governments’ dual role in freshwater distribution and consumer protection was studied. Data on actual prices in Croatian cities were gathered from on-line published pricelists, and analyzed. Findings imply that utility companies locally enjoy the monopoly positions on the freshwater distribution markets. As utility companies are usually founded, owned and controlled by local governments and local governments are at the same time responsible for consumer rights protection, their dual role is confirmed. Concluding remarks in this paper could be useful to consumers to strengthen their market power and to local and state governments to amend existing regulations in favor of the purpose of their existence, their citizens.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Ekonomija

POVEZANOST RADA