Administrative burden and client experience in public agricultural land administration: evidence from Poland

Krzysztof Krukowski, Marian Oliński and Maciej Zastempowski

Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, 2026, vol. 12, issue 2

Abstract: Purpose. This study aims to identify the level and structure of the perceived administrative burden among clients of the Polish National Support Centre for Agriculture (NSCA) and to examine how this burden relates to their evaluations of service processes in the administration of state-owned agricultural property. Methodology. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 129 NSCA clients with experience in lease, tenancy, or legal-status regularisation procedures concerning agricultural state-owned property. Perceived burden was measured using the ten-item BURDEN index, which demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.911). The data were analysed using principal component analysis, Spearman’s rank correlations, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results. Overall, the perceived administrative burden was moderate, with the greatest difficulties stemming from a lack of step-by-step guidance, extensive documentation requirements, procedural complexity, and long waiting times. The analyses identified three distinct components: BURDEN, TIME_CONTACT, and CLARITY_COMM. Higher BURDEN scores were significantly associated with poorer evaluations of time and contact with the institution, as well as of procedural clarity and communication, and significant differences were observed across selected client groups. Originality. This study extends research on administrative burden by providing quantitative evidence from the specialised context of public agricultural land administration in Poland. It also contributes to the literature by showing that perceived burden is empirically distinct from, yet systematically related to, clients’ evaluations of service processes. Practical implications. Reducing perceived burden in land-related public services requires both procedural simplification and improved communication. The most promising measures include standardised information, step-by-step guidance, clearer updates on case status, and more proportionate documentation requirements.

Keywords: Agribusiness; Land Economics/Use (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:areint:404301

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.404301

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