STATE REGULATION OF TARIFFS IN LEAN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL: CASE OF THE VORONEZH REGION

Abstract

Currently, government authorities in Russian regions are striving to modernize their work, increase its efficiency, and make it as transparent as possible for both business and the population. In this case, more and more regions are introducing lean management technologies into their management practices. The purpose of the study is to study the implementation of lean management practices in the activities of the Ministry of Tariff Regulation of the Voronezh Region. The research methodology is based on the analysis of the experience of introducing lean management practices into the activities of the department of state tariffs regulation as the modernization part of the system for approving investment programs of resource supply organizations in the region. A survey of representatives of the RNO was also conducted to identify the most significant problems in the process of preparing and approving investment programs. As a result, the authors draw conclusions about how lean projects should be introduced into the activities of government authorities, replicate them from entity to entity, and increase the potential for the use of lean technologies in the work of government authorities in Russian regions as well. Firstly, lean management technologies begin to be implemented in the Voronezh region, so not all employees are involved in the process of project implementation. Secondly, the implementation of lean projects can significantly reduce employee labour costs when performing current working tasks. Thirdly, successful lean management practices require significant information support at the regional level in order to implement them not only within one department, but throughout the country.