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THE HIDDEN ECONOMY IN BULGARIA (General Population), December 2002

THE HIDDEN ECONOMY IN BULGARIA (General Population), December 2002

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

The main goal of the research project outlined in the present paper is to initiate systematic monitoring of the size and dynamics of the hidden economy in Bulgaria (HEM). The project envisions conducting a series of representative surveys of the country's adult population and of the business sector at three-month intervals. This will make it possible not only to examine the dynamics of the problem, but also to collect reliable information about the differences in the attitudes of the general population and the business community to the manifestations and reasons for the development of the hidden economy in this country.

The Hidden Economy in Bulgaria (General Public), March 2004

The Hidden Economy in Bulgaria (General Public), March 2004

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

In the period March 1 - 16, 2004, Vitosha Research conducted a national representative survey of the "hidden economy" in the country, covering 1080 respondents aged 18 and over. The survey employed the method of the face-to-face interview.

Cases of unofficial (private) persecution in Czechoslovakia

Cases of unofficial (private) persecution in Czechoslovakia

Author(s): Eduard Stehlík / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

The EU on granting China market economy status: a compromise or a dodge?

The EU on granting China market economy status: a compromise or a dodge?

Author(s): Jakub Jakóbowski,Marcin Kaczmarski / Language(s): English

Keywords: China; WTO; World Trade Organisation; MES

China joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001 as an economy which was undergoing transformation and did not yet have market economy status (MES). This enabled other WTO members, including the European Union, to be more flexible in imposing anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese exporters. China’s accession protocol provides for the elimination of one of the anti-dumping procedures after 15 years, i.e. in December 2016. The upcoming changes have fuelled a dispute in Europe regarding the interpretation of the conditions of China’s accession to the WTO and the future of trade relations between the EU and China.

Doing Business with Tigers: Trends, Features and Prospects for Poland’s Trade with Asia

Doing Business with Tigers: Trends, Features and Prospects for Poland’s Trade with Asia

Author(s): Artur Gradziuk,Patryk Toporowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: Asia; China; economy; Poland; trade

Should a new opening be expected in Poland’s relations with the Asian countries? The current trade statistics suggest that this cannot be ruled out.In 2011, the value of Polish exports to Asian markets rose by €1 billion against 2011, and Polish entrepreneurs now seem less fearful when starting a business there.For Asian countries in turn cooperation with Poland is becoming the key to the European market. These issues are examined by our researchers Artur Gradziuk and Patryk Toporowski in the latest PISM report "Doing Business with Tigers: Trends, Features and Prospects for Poland's Trade with Asia." The authors of the report stress that alongside China, the number one trading partner in Asia, other Asian markets, in particular India and Kazakhstan, are also important for the Polish exporters. Poland’s presence in Japan and South Korea is growing, and trade with Asia is beneficial in particular for the Polish chemical, cosmetic, food and machinery industries.A report is a part of the project „Trade with Asia - An Opportunity For Visegrad Countries?” (no 11220101) financed by the International Visegrad Fund. The other project partners are: EUROPEUM, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Slovak Academy of Sciences.

Identification of Global Value Chains Impact on Czech Manufacturing Industry

Identification of Global Value Chains Impact on Czech Manufacturing Industry

Author(s): Inka Neumaierová,Ivan Neumaier / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Global Value Chains; imports content of exports; manufacturing; I-O tables

Abstract Identifying the impact of Global Value Chains (GVCs) is rather challenging as their activities go beyond national states while statistical monitoring is closed within national statistics. In addition, willingness of GVCs to provide information is limited. In order to map the influence of GVC we used the indirect method, with the help of three Input-Output (I-O) indicators of manufacturing industry in Czech Statistical Office (CSO) tables for years between 1990 and 2013. Purpose:The reason for writing thisarticle is the fact that there is a lot of talk about the influence of global value chains (GVC) on the economy of the Czech Republic, but there are few data analyses to support this debate. The aim of the article is to analyse the influence of GVC on manufacturing industry in the Czech Republic. Design/methodology/approach:In order to map the influence of GVC we used the indirect method (Ordinary Least Squares), with the help of three Input-Output (I-O) indicators in CSO tables: the import demand of exports, the share of added value in production and the total share of exports in resources. The sample is represented by all businesses in manufacturing industry in the Czech Republic. Through trends in the values of the indicators researched we verified the assumption that GVC put businesses in the territory of the Czech Republic into the assembly or production sector. Findings:We have ascertained that in the time period in question the share of businesses under foreign control in manufacturing industry increased from zero to the majority of production. The results show the suitability of our assumption, primarily in the case of the import demand of exports. The total share of exports in resources indicator proved to be generally appropriate. Using the share of added value in production can be recommended for identifying GVC less. Research/practical implications:The results show the consequences of involvement in GVC for individual sectors of manufacturing industry in the Czech Republic. They are a challenge for considering how to get optimally involved in GVC. A proposal for future research is to perform the calculations for all sectors in the Czech Republic and also for similar economies, such as Slovakia, Hungary, etc. Originality/value:Identifying the influence of GVC is fairly demanding, as their activities exceed the limits of national states, whereas statistical monitoring is closed as a part of national statistics. In addition, their willingness to provide information is limited. It is original analytical and data material that provides evidence of the influence of GVC on manufacturing industry in the Czech Republic.

Forensic Expertise of the Traces of Break-in Instruments

Forensic Expertise of the Traces of Break-in Instruments

Author(s): Marilena Cristina Chera / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: break-in instruments; forensic expertise;

There are many crimes that implicate different instruments that can leave contact traces. For making a felony against patrimony, such as theft, housebreaking or destruction, the offender needs instruments to get in certain polices or areas by forcing or breaking the objects that block the access to those areas. The felons can use simple instruments like those for material processing or they can use instruments that they built. The forensic expertise of instruments traces can figure out the nature of type of instrument they used, the mechanism of the breaking and succession of facts for accessing a patrimony. The expertise can also say if there were one or more instruments. Analyzing the mode of operation and the procedures used during the crime, the expertise can determine the number of persons involved in the felony.

De-INDUSTRIALISATION and its CONSEQUENCES. A Kosovo Story. (Lessons Learned and Analysis Unit of the EU Pillar of UNMIK European Stability Initiative)

De-INDUSTRIALISATION and its CONSEQUENCES. A Kosovo Story. (Lessons Learned and Analysis Unit of the EU Pillar of UNMIK European Stability Initiative)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

In pre-socialist times, the town of Peja (known in Serbian as Peć), was a lively regional centre of around 16,000 inhabitants, housing a community of merchants and craftsmen, several hotels and restaurants, and a few larger enterprises: a stream-driven flour mill, two timber mills and a small brick factory. Peja was first connected to the railway in July 1929 and electrification followed in the same year, with a small hydroelectric power-station on the White Drini River. Today, after five decades of socialist development and more than ten years of post-socialist decay, Peja’s economy is back where it started early last century. Amid the ruins of an industrial sector which has entirely collapsed, one can find economic structures strikingly similar to those of the pre-socialist 1930s: shops, tradesmen, hotels, and a handful of functioning industries: a saw mill, a bakery, a brewery and a brick factory. The transition from a pre-industrial agricultural economy to an urban manufacturing centre has failed.

Cooperation between Local Governments in Poland and MENA

Cooperation between Local Governments in Poland and MENA

Author(s): Patrycja Sasnal,Adriana Skorupska / Language(s): English

Keywords: Middle East and North Africa (MENA); Poland-MENA cooperation; Polish local governments; promotion of Poland in MENA region; bilateral relations;

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is not only a promising market for Polish entrepreneurs but also an interesting direction for cities and provinces. Federal states (the United Arab Emirates) and decentralised ones (Tunisia) in the region deserve the special attention of Polish local governments. Expo 2020 in Dubai will be an opportunity to involve local governments in the promotion of Poland in the MENA region, and to establish contacts with local authorities in Arab countries. Local government cooperation can supplement bilateral relations at the central level.

Protectionism in U.S. Trade Policy

Protectionism in U.S. Trade Policy

Author(s): Marek Wąsiński,Damian Wnukowski / Language(s): English

Keywords: United States; trade policy; protectionism in trade policy; trade agreements with Canada and Mexico; Trump administration; trade deficit;

The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has completed the renegotiation of the trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. At the same time, it has escalated the tariffs battle with another important partner—China. The strategy of concluding new deals under the pressure of protectionist measures is meant to maximise the benefits for the U.S. at the expense of its partners. The Trump administration has been successfully implementing this policy, but in the long term, the trade conflict may hinder American enterprises, including those in the agricultural sector, and increase the trade deficit, in effect contributing to the decline of support for the Republicans and the president.

The UK Policy Paper on UK-EU Future Relations: Impact on Brexit Negotiations

The UK Policy Paper on UK-EU Future Relations: Impact on Brexit Negotiations

Author(s): Przemysław Biskup / Language(s): English

Keywords: United Kingdom; European Union; EU-UK future relations; Brexit negotiations; Brexit conditions;

The lack of progress in the Brexit negotiations noted at the June European Council (EUCO) demonstrated the limits of both the UK’s and EU’s negotiating strategies. The UK policy paper—“The Future Relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union”—shows Prime Minister Theresa May's readiness to revise the British “red lines”. A positive response from the EU to the paper would significantly facilitate the continuation of the dialogue on the exit conditions. A negative response will fundamentally increase the likelihood of radical scenarios: significant concessions or a “no-deal” Brexit.

Poland’s Pivot to Asia: Illusion or Necessity?

Poland’s Pivot to Asia: Illusion or Necessity?

Author(s): Patryk Kugiel / Language(s): English

Keywords: Poland; Asia; Polish cooperation with Asian countries; foreign policy; Polish export to Asian market; international trade;

Global power and wealth are shifting from the West to the East and Asia is emerging as a new centre of the global system. As Poland develops the global dimension of its foreign policy, the pivot to Asia is becoming a necessity. It has to expand into Asia more vigorously. The continuation of the high-level dialogue with major partners, expansion of its diplomatic and cultural presence, and more resources for the promotion and understanding of Asia will help Poland to diversify its exports and prop up the country’s international position.

Alvo Medical LLC on selected Asian markets

Alvo Medical LLC on selected Asian markets

Author(s): Małgorzata Bartosik‑Purgat,Barbara Jankowska,Krzysztof Wąchnicki / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: healthcare market;Indian market;Indonesian market;Chinese market;operating room equipment market;business internationalisation;Alvo Medical;

This paper presents Polish company ALVO MEDICAL (the producer and provider of solutions for hospitals and medical units, encompassing the equipment of operating theatres, surgical preparation rooms, treatment rooms, and many other hospital areas) and its strategies of entering the selected Asian markets.

Agency, Structure, And Reflexivity In Displacement: The Experience Of Syrian Refugees In Lebanon And Germany

Agency, Structure, And Reflexivity In Displacement: The Experience Of Syrian Refugees In Lebanon And Germany

Author(s): Irene Tuzi / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Agency; Structure; Reflexivity; The Experience Of Syrian Refugees; Lebanon; Germany;

This article, based on 18 months of fieldwork in Lebanon and Germany, proposes a theoretical conceptualization of the interactions between agency, structure, and reflexivity in displacement. The research on which this paper is based looks at Syrian displaced families and explores the specificities of refugees’ agency. I argue that the specific conditions within which Syrian refugees act in Lebanon and Germany make them experience a suspended life. This condition is expressed by the concept of ‘liminality’, which functions as a non-structure and creates a framework in which alternative dimensions of agency and reflexivity can be exercised.

Detainees’ Employment - Between a Business Opportunity and the Social Benefit of Reducing Recidivism

Detainees’ Employment - Between a Business Opportunity and the Social Benefit of Reducing Recidivism

Author(s): Cristina Dumitran / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: entrepreneurship;employment of detainees;recidivism;

The paper addresses one of the causes of criminality in Romania: poverty as result of the lack of qualification and formal jobs, particularly in the case of those committing crimes against property.Although there are policies aimed to reduce the causes that generate crime and recidivism, their effectiveness has not been evaluated so far, the only indicator being the statistical one. Contrary to expectations, statistically, the recidivism rate in Romania is increasing.In this context, there is the opportunity to initiate partnerships between the business environment and the penitentiary system to increasing turnover. In addition, it can also address social issues such as qualification of detainees during detention, reducing anger and aggression by engaging in productive and structured activities, increasing the post-release chances of employment, education through and for work, increasing one's own income for prisons and reducing the risk of recidivism after release.The article presents the multidimensional opportunities of a public-private partnership, with an accent on the economic and social impact for the entrepreneur - penitentiary (as a state institution) - detainee - society.

CHANGES IN THE WORKING LIFE: THE STORY OF A COMPANY AND ITS EMPLOYEES

CHANGES IN THE WORKING LIFE: THE STORY OF A COMPANY AND ITS EMPLOYEES

Author(s): Katarína Koštialová / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Working life; Organisation; Employees; transformation and adaptation; socio-economic research;

The working life of most people usually takes place in bounds of an institution, a company or an organisation. Even starting working, one already has to adapt to the new team, new skills, company culture or communicational and inter-personal relations. He/she is put in a certain hierarchical structure (professional and functional), works with specific levels of technology in different work and cultural environment. One adopts new goals, values and norms of the group and the institution (Rymeš 1998). For most people work is not only important in order to maintain an income, but also demonstrates other important aspects that are appealing but not always healthy. Examples such as socialising, cultural or identifying function, self-realisation or prestige (Koštialová 2009: 34). Except age, education, etc., a career path is also influenced by political, economic, technological, social and cultural evolution of society that an individual has to adapt to during his/her professional life.

ADAPTATION OF FAMILIES FORCIBLY DISPLACED UNDER THE ACTION B: THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

ADAPTATION OF FAMILIES FORCIBLY DISPLACED UNDER THE ACTION B: THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

Author(s): Jolana Darulová / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Action B; Communist idea; changing the social structure of the society; 1952-1953; Banská Štiavnica; Banská Bystrica; Families;

The central topic of the paper is Action B which was aimed to implement the Communist idea of changing the social structure of the society and adapting it to the needs of the new regime. Action B was supposed to definitely cleanse towns from enemies, and help to solve the housing problem. It was carried out by means of violent displacement of whole groups of inhabitants from both big and smaller Czech and Slovak towns. Action B was carried out from 1952 to 1953, and formed part of controlled activities in the period of the dictatorship of the proletariat when the foundations of the Communist regime were laid down (1948-1953). “The new regime was bom with the denial, disruption, and liquidation of the principles on which it was built... the destruction of the society entered all fields of social life” (Kaplan 1991: 146). At the same time, it was a period which forced individuals to adapt to the new reality and seek their place in it. According to Babal (2009: 22), “the displacements of people in the post-war period was nothing uncommon in the territory of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (CSR), and were executed back to 1938 (displacement of citizens of Czech nationality shortly after the birth of the Slovak State, or Slovak Republic; later displacement of the Jewish population, and of Germans and Hungarians after the re-birth of the CSR). After the regime change in February 1948, the displacement of persons smoothly followed the previous development, and targeted other groups of inhabitants. We could say that, in a certain way, the population ‘got used’ to displacements executed in the period 1938-1948. It affected farmers, churches (especially the Catholic Church), inhabitants of bordering areas, and others - individuals and their families.”

Gothic Revival at the borders of Catholic Christianity

Gothic Revival at the borders of Catholic Christianity

Author(s): Dragan Damjanović / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Neo-Gothic; Croatia; Friedrich von Schmidt; Herman Bollé; Josip Vancaš; Zagreb; Osijek

Neo-Gothic emerged in Croatian architecture rather late in comparison to Great Britain and the majority of countries in mainland Europe. First buildings built with elements of this style appeared at the beginning of the 19th century, however only during the 1850s and 1860s first larger neo-Gothic churches began to be built in Croatia, primarily due to the efforts of the Viennese central administrative bodies. In the same time, Croatian aristocracy accepted this style for the restoration of their castles (Trakošćan, Novi dvori). By the mid-1870s, owing to the efforts of the Đakovo bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer, Viennese architect Friedrich Schmidt started his work on neo-Gothic restoration of medieval buildings in Zagreb (St. Mark’s parish church and the cathedral). In the following decades, the neo-Gothic style reached the highest level of use in Croatian architecture. The most important architects that designed churches and other buildings with elements of neo-Gothic were Schmidt’s students Herman Bollé and Josip Vancaš. From the beginning of the 20th century, the use of Neo-Gothic in Croatian architecture became increasingly rare. Croatian architecture was slowly being overcome by the influence of secession from Vienna and other major cities in the monarchy (Prague, Budapest).

Architects from the periphery: Ján Nepomuk Bobula and Blažej Félix Bulla

Architects from the periphery: Ján Nepomuk Bobula and Blažej Félix Bulla

Author(s): Anna Kobylińska / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Slovak architecture; localness; Blažej Félix Bulla; Ján Nepomuk Bobula; Turčiansky Svätý Martin

Using the example of the different professional paths of two architects, Blažej Félix Bulla and Ján Nepomuk Bobula (both of whom designed buildings intended to house the new institutions, crucial for Slovak national life and located in the provincial town of Turčiansky Svätý Martin), the article shows how the architects' work became a space for the manifestation of new values introduced into the public space and for the self-presentation and representation of the new social elites. Particular attention was paid here to the role of architectural investments confirming a real increase in the rank of a given place, appearing in semi-public and semi-private space, i.e. in a kind of internal space, partly hidden and at the same time open to subversive manifestations of one's own true identity (e.g. the discussed herein example of the temporary installation designed by Bulla – a wooden tower-gate added to the house of the Viliam Paulina-Tóth’s heirs for the time of the local ethnographic exhibition held in Martin in 1887). The examples of realised and unrealised architectural projects analysed in the article (also in terms of their exemplary impact on their surroundings, e.g. the case of architect Dušan Jurkovič, discussed here, who was fascinated by Bulla's designs) made it possible to trace the circumstances favouring the densification of communication at the local level and to analyse the phenomenon referred to here as the densification of locality, a manifestation of which was, among other things, the emergence in the area of so-called Upper Hungary of a new urban centre with a distinctly Slovak distinction and accumulated symbolic potential.

Marketing Game Changers: Capitalizing The Micro-Moment Through Augmented Reality

Marketing Game Changers: Capitalizing The Micro-Moment Through Augmented Reality

Author(s): Uday Salunkhe,D. N. Murthy,Vijaya Kumar. B. / Language(s): English / Publication Year: 0

Keywords: Marketing Game Changers; Capitalizing; Micro-Moment; Reality;

Imagine that you are watching a live stream Bollywood song with a colorful festive backdrop when you suddenly get attracted to the dress worn by your favorite actor. You pause the scene, take a close look at the dress, and start wondering if this is the dress you should wear for an upcoming evening party. Now comes Augmented Reality (AR), which will create your 3D image and put the dress on you virtually. You can then visualize yourself with this dress and moving around in the party hall backdrop. You can further customize the dress and place an order to be ready for the party just in time. All these are possible due to the advancements in technology, specifically what is called augmented reality.