The Role of Local Government in Managing Contributions to State Defence Capabilities

Purpose: This paper aims to demonstrate that the country's defence capabilities largely rely on personal, material and special contributions to the state defence system, while also highlighting the role of local government in managing their implementation. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research problem has been formulated as a question: In what ways and to what extent are the contributions imposed by local governments and the governmental authorities of voivodships and ministries utilised for defence purposes and non-military crises such as natural disasters? The underlying hypothesis suggests that local governments have the appropriate legal means to impose and manage the contributions to state defence; however, the available resources (labour and materials) are insufficient or inadequately prepared to fulfil the defence obligations placed upon these entities. To address the research problem, investigations were carried out based on theoretical and empirical research methods, including the analysis and synthesis of source documents, taking into account the existing regulations for imposing and using contributions for state defence purposes. The empirical approach took the form of a survey—a diagnostic study conducted online (CAWI – Computer-Assisted Web Interview)—which facilitated the collection and assessment of the investigated problem. Findings: The research findings demonstrate that local government units, mainly municipal and city offices, lack adequately trained professionals in positions related to national defence, as well as staff responsible for the planning and managing of defence contributions. There is a notable lack of familiarity with legal regulations and considerable variability in their interpretation. Employees in local government positions related to national defence do not possess the professional training (education) necessary to be well-versed in legal provisions. In addition, decision-makers at the local government levels tend to overlook matters related to national defence, largely due to their insufficient knowledge of the relevant legal framework. Practical implications: This paper outlines several aspects concerning local government entities and businesses regarding: the planning and execution of tasks related to defence contributions in response to both military and non-military threats; the interpretation and relevance of existing legal provisions; and the specification of entrepreneurs' capabilities to allocate resources and means for fulfilling personal, material and special contributions necessary for national defence purposes. Investigating these key issues allows for suggesting more efficient procedures for managing state defence contributions. Originality value: The paper discusses the potential for planning and utilising contributions for defence purposes in the context of the state’s defence preparations, with a specific focus on the role of entrepreneurs in this crucial area of national security. The analysis addresses three key areas involved in the state defence efforts: the armed forces, the national economy and public administration.