Conceptualization of budgeting in the paradigm of institutionalism

Abstract

Introduction. The development of a theoretical and methodological concept of budgeting in public finance is necessary and important for Ukraine, which does not have its own long tradition of the budgeting technologies developing on the democratic principles. Considering the fact that budgeting takes place in an institutional environment, it is reasonable to substantiate the conceptual foundations of budgeting in the paradigm of institutionalism. Problem Statement. A systematized presentation of the conceptual foundations of budgeting as a macro-level financial and management technology with the specification of elements, conditions and principles remains an unresolved task. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the conceptual foundations of modern budgeting as a financial and management technology aimed at ensuring public welfare, to identify the components of budgeting, to expand and deepen their characteristics compared to the previous developments, to substantiate the principles of budgeting. Methods. The authors base their research on the methodology of institutionalism. They use evolutionistic approach to argue for the institutional nature of budgeting; systemic approach and theoretical generalizations - for conceptualizing budgeting; graphic interpretation - for a visualization of the components of budgeting as a financial and management technology. Results. The authors reveal the evolutionary changes in the development of budgeting technologies, give the definition of budgeting in public finance, identify the elements of budgeting, determine the sequence of budgeting stages as a process aimed at ensuring sustainable development and growth of the welfare of society, and substantiate the principles of budgeting. Conclusions. Budgeting in public finance is a management technology, the content of which is revealed in two aspects: 1) as a set of techniques, tools and methods; 2) as a process consisting of successive stages: from setting the goals and tasks of socio-economic development to evaluating effectiveness and efficiency. With the evolution of the state, approaches changed and different budgeting technologies were formed. The main task of financial and management engineering is the correct choice and combination of various budgeting technologies or their components to achieve the desirable result.