Publikované články

• Laboutková, Š. and P. Vymětal. 2018. Key Elements of Transparent Lobbying: Relevance of Wider Approach. Public Policy and Administration, 17(2), DOI:10.13165/VPA-18-17-2-01. (Jsc).  Abstract: Lobbying is a legitimate way of interest representation in democracy. Although the number of countries introducing rules on lobbying activity is increasing, there are many doubts about the efficiency of measures introduced in terms of nontransparent lobbying activities and unfair forms of influence. The paper investigates the main approaches, elements and measures recommended and implemented by countries and international organizations in order to increase the transparency of lobbying practice in the decision-making process and proposes a basic set (catalogue) of key measures. It argues that a complex approach combining lobbying rules and many other supportive and linked measures is needed in order to extend transparent lobbying and decision-making. The article contributes to the discussion on the main theoretical issues and problems that arise in terms of transparent lobbying and proposes a catalogue of basic measures necessary to evaluate the transparency of lobbying in a broader and more detailed way in future research.
• Laboutková, Š. 2018, Open Government Partnership: Unutilized Potential in Post-Communist EU Members? (Case of the Czech Republic). Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research, 31(3), DOI: 10.1080/13511610.2017.1415803. (Jimp). Abstract: One of the factors that contribute to confining corruption opportunity space is transparent lobbying as part of a broader approach to governance, based on the principles of openness, transparency, participation and disclosure. The problem of lack of transparent lobbying is closely related not only to corruption but to increased inequality of access by voices representative of a wide range of interests to public decision-making. This issue is also one of the relevant issues of Europeanisation that comes to attention in the European public space; lobbying is an important source of information for European decision-making processes, which speaks in favour of creating transparent rules for its functioning. Despite a real reluctance of national political representation to enforce statutory regulation of lobbying there is however a number of factors (besides regulation) that contribute to the transparency of lobbying. One of them is Open Government Partnership initiative which takes a more comprehensive approach to openness via seeking ways to make the government more transparent, responsive, accountable, and effective. The paper focuses on two research questions: Under what circumstances may open government affect the transparency of lobbying and thereby reduce the corruption opportunity space? Does the Czech Republic use the potential of its membership in Open Government Partnership well? The analysis is completed by data from Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Slovakia. The performed research uses descriptive, analytic, comparative and interpretive techniques.  On-line: http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/b6Z7GvUwYvv7virfT4pj/full. 
• Bednářová, P. 2018. What Benefits Does Transparent Lobbying Bring. DANUBE: Law and Economics Review, 9(3), pp. 193-205. DOI: 10.2478/danb-2018-0012. (Jsc) Abstract: The most quantitative studies deal with the costs of transparency lobbying and give little or no attention to quantifying the benefits. And when dealing with them, they focus primarily on legislative measures. The aim of the article is to determine options for lobbying transparency increase and their evaluation and comparison from the viewpoint of direct and indirect benefits. Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) is used. The five basic options are determined. One of the main conclusions is that, in addition to benefits resulting from direct legislative regulation of lobbying, it is possible to identify a large number of benefits associated primarily with non-legislative measures. These benefits are connected with increasing in the transparency of the legislative process, elimination of unfair influence of legal regulation by partial interests and destigmatization of lobbying as a legitimate profession.

• Bednářová, P. 2018. How Expensive Transparent Lobbying Is.  ACC Journal,  24 (2), pp. 7-19. DOI: 10.15240/tul/004/2018-2-001. (Jost)  Abstract: Strengthening the transparency of the legislation and decision making process should contribute to the reduction of negative impacts often connected with lobbying. The aim of the article was to determine options for lobbying transparency increase and their evaluation from the viewpoint of regulatory costs. Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) which is the core method of Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA), is used. The basic options were determined. Zero option was defined as the preservation of the current legislation and non-transparent lobbying. Option I is the possibility of increasing the transparency of lobbying by measures introduced on lobbyists. Option II represents an increase of transparency in terms of lobbying targets. Option III is defined as increase in lobbying transparency by means of sunshine principles and the increase of lobbying transparency by monitoring and sanctions includes Option IV. Regulatory costs, specifically the compliance costs and other regulatory costs have been defined for all five options.

• Žák, M. a L. Vnoučková. 2017. Transparency in Lobbying as Perceived by Organisational Representatives in the Czech Republic. Národohospodářský obzor/ Review of Economic Perspective, 17(4), pp. 381-397. DOI 10.1515/revecp-2017-0020. (Jsc) Abstract:  This paper focuses on transparency in lobbying as perceived by in sample organisations in the Czech Republic. The paper's aim is to study how lobbying and its impact on decision-making practices are perceived by organisational representatives and to empirically assess the perceived transparency of lobbying with a view to the potential introduction of lobbying regulations and their role in Czech democracy. Data for the study was gathered from a sample of business institutions in the Czech Republic. In total, 73 organisations/institutions took part in the survey. One respondent was ques-tioned per organisation/institution. 90 % of respondents perceive that transparent and regulated lobbying has a positive impact on democracy. Moreover, according to the respondents, lobbying facilitates more competent decision-making among politicians, brings more information into the decision-making process and makes the process more efficient. There has been a significant shift in the perception of lobbying over the past ten years in the Czech Republic. Regulations aimed at legitimizing lobbying are seen as having a positive impact on democracy.

• Laboutková, Š. and P. Vymětal. 2017. Transparency in Economic and Political Decision-Making: The Identification of Sunshine Rules for Transparent Lobbying. DANUBE: Law and Economics Review, 8 (3), 157-171. DOI: 10.1515/danb-2017-0011. (Jsc). Abstract: Lobbying transparency seems to have been a challenging topic for nearly a decade. For the purposes of the article, the authors focus on a contextual analysis of rules and measures that offers both a broad as well as comprehensive view of the required transparencyof lobbying activities and the environment in which decisions are made. In this regard, focusing on the sunshine principles/sunshine rules (not purely limited to laws) provides a grasp of the whole issue in a broader context. From a methodological point of view, the exploratory approach was chosen and the coding procedure is mostly dichotomous. As a result, seven key areas with 70 indicators have been identified in terms of transparency of lobbying and decision-making. On-line: https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/danb.2017.8.issue-3/danb-2017-0011/danb-2017-0011.xml?format=INT

• Laboutková, Š a L. Staňková. 2016. The Potential Effect of Non-transparent Lobbying on Competitiveness through Economic Freedom in the EU – an Empirical Survey. Scientific Papers of the University of Pardubice, Series D. 1. vyd. Pardubice: Faculty of Economics and Administration, roč. XXIII, č. 37 (2/2016), s. 71 – 82. ISSN 1804-8048 (Online) (Jsc). Abstract: The competitive strength of individual countries is not only affected by their economic efficiency and productiveness, there is also a broad range of other socio-economic and political factors that includes institutional quality. Crucial factors influencing institutional quality are transparency and the scope of civil and economic liberties. It should be easy to scrutinize how decisions are made, the influences behind them and how taxpayer's money is allocated. On the other side the plurality of interests is a necessary prerequisite and starting point for a free and open society. The lobbying and consultancy industry is a natural, important and legitimate part of the democratic decision-making process, however sometimes lobbying practices go beyond the legitimate representation of interests, and methods are deceptive. This kind of behavior is usually non-transparent and unfairly influences political processes, generating the potential for corrupt practices and excessive regulation of economic activities negatively influencing economic freedom and thus the competitiveness. The aim of the article is to prove the significant effect between economic freedom and competitiveness within the European Union countries based on an analysis of two indexes – the Economic Freedom Index and the Global Competitiveness Index. A direct and fairly strong dependence was proved.                                                                                          On-line: http://dk.upce.cz/bitstream/handle/10195/65642/LaboutkovaS_ThePotentialEffect_2016.pdf?sequence=3