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Venelin Terziev
COVID-19 AND THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT PLAN IN BULGARIA - ANALYSIS AND OPPORTUNITIES
FOR CHANGE
Summary:
This paper is the second part of an extensive study which analyzes and examines the processes on the Bulgarian market that unfold in the emergency situation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemics. The focus is on the state of the labour market before the pandemic crisis and the subsequent changes in the current national employment plan in view of the challenges of the situation caused by COVID-19. It proposes measures and supports actions for restructuring the financial resource for adaptation of the plan to the new challenge to the labour market in Bulgaria.
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Lyudmil Naydenov, Dimitar Tsenov
COVID-19 EFFECTS ON TAX GAPS
Summary:
The paper examines the issues related to the impact of COVID-19 on tax gaps in Bulgaria. The authors define the various tax gaps in terms of their theoretical, practical and technical grounds as well as unique characteristics. The authors have analysed the dynamics of the gap between the tax and social insurance revenues in the Consolidated Fiscal Program (CFP) as they “should be” collected and as they “are” collected and prove that it was affected directly by the global COVID-19 pandemic. They justify the need for an innovative approach that would take into account the changed realities and the important role of CFP components for improving the public welfare and the sustainability of our economy. The research subject are tax gaps and its object is the impact of COVID-19 on the difference between the volume of collected and planned revenues from direct taxes, indirect taxes, social security and health insurance contributions in Bulgaria. The general conclusion is that the pandemic, which has lasted for already over a year, has slowed down the economy and hence has a negative affect on tax gaps in our country.
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D. Radilov, G. Chervenski
VAR - Models of Shocks in the Business Cycles of Final Consumption Expenditure of Households
Summary:
Abstract: The article has experimented with a methodology for using vector autoregressive models (VAR) to study the impact of shocks in the business climate and economic activity on the business cycles of final con-sumption expenditure of households. It refers to six countries in Central and Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) for the period 2000 to 2015. The results show that the expectations for the financial situation of households over the next 12 months and the level of employment have a stimulating effect on the business cycle of final consumption expenditure of households. The expectations for unemployment, inflation and savings over the next 12 months have a negative impact on the business cycles.
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Goolbahor Karimova
ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF ATTRACTING FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
Summary:
The article considers foreign experience of attracting foreign investments by the example of the countries that most successfully attract foreign investments, and at the same time are the main countries investing in the economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The policy of attracting foreign investments to the Republic of Uzbekistan is being considered. Analyzed reg-ulatory legal acts, considered free economic zones, as a method of attracting foreign investment in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The conclusion of a com-parative analysis of the effectiveness of investment policy and their features in the context of countries is given.
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Abuselidze George
ANALYSIS OF THE FORMATION
AND USE OF BUDGETARY POLICIES ENSURING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF TERRITORIAL UNITS
Summary:
The main function of the state in nowadays-civilized world is to maintain the macro-economic proportions throughout the country and avoid financial and economic crises in regions that have priority in the formation of the new economic system in Georgia.
The object of the research is the formation and use of Budget policy of Georgia;
One of the most problematic places is socio-economic development of territorial units;
As a result of the research it is shown that current economic and political system’s radical transformation process, creation of new economic system and ensuring its efficiency, requires mobilization of huge financial resources, which is impossible without proper functioning of the financial mechanism. This in turn requires implementation of sufficient financial and economic policy. The government should take responsibility of supporting financial-economic independence for territorial units.
In the future, the proposed forms of financial mechanisms and features of use for the arrangement and territorial integrity of the government.
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Kameliya Bozhinova
OUTSOURCING PRINTING SERVICES IN BULGARIA – PART OF THE GLOBAL OUTSOURCING MARKET
Summary:
The new conditions and the globalization of the business environment in which the management of commercial enterprises operates today require innovative, flexible and adaptive management tools, one of which is outsourcing. It improves the operational efficiency of the enterprises involved in this process and enables the service providers to expand and maintain their market shares. Moreover, it optimizes their resource allocation and improves the profitability of their operations.
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Tamari Poladashvili
Students’ Perspective Towards to Bologna Process and Employability (Case Study of Bulgaria)
Summary:
The problem of youth unemployment is a global issue. This article discuss in depth the youth unemployment problem. It analyses the characteristics, causes, and consequences of graduate unemployment and examines its relationship to the Bologna Process. A qualitative research has been done with focus group discussions of Bachelor and Master Degree students. The study explores the nature of the labour market for higher education graduates and the main obstacles that youth face on their journey from education to employment. The study aims to determine whether graduate unem¬ployment is a result of shortage of jobs, skills, or lack of coordination. It includes recommendations for involving the government, the managing bodies of higher education institutions as well as employers and career service offices in order to overcome youth unemployment.
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Ivan Todorov, Alexander Alexandrov, Kalina L. Durova
FUTURE EURO AREA MEMBERSHIP OF BULGARIA IN TERMS OF THE BUSINESS CYCLE
Summary:
In the present paper, vector autoregression (VAR) is used to assess the extent to which Bulgaria’s economic cycle is synchronized with the one of the euro area (EA). The main fiscal and monetary factors affecting the coordination of the business cycles of Bulgaria and the EA are identified. Recommendations for macroeconomic policies are formulated to support the synchronization of Bulgaria’s economic cycle with the one of the EA and to prepare our country for the adoption of the euro.
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Todor Nedev
BULGARIA’S INDEPENDENT ENERGY EXCHANGE – POSSIBILITIES FOR RISK MANAGEMENT
Summary:
This article discusses the urgent problems of the Bulgarian energy market and its slow transformation from state monopoly to free exchange market. The paper aims at elaborating on the specific aspects of energy trading – basically, and in particular, the characteristics and disproportions imposed by the state and the state-owned energy holdings on the Bulgarian market. Ever since its establishment in 2014, the Bulgarian Independent Energy Exchange (BIEE) has adopted the model and rules of the north energy exchange – Nord Pool. The arguments for this choice have not been discussed publicly, but the necessity of a well-functioning energy exchange market and the need of its daily transparent activity, already in Bulgaria as well, are accepted as proven. The functioning and reliability of the Bulgarian stock exchange, however, are still the subject of certain discussions. What could have happened if the Bulgarian stock exchange had adopted the model of the European energy exchange – EEE?
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Violeta Blazheva
The Bulgarian Agrarian Sector in the Context
of the “Updated” Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union
Summary:
The political agreement reached between the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers of the European Union and the European Commission is expected to lead to significant changes that mark the starting point of the European policy designed to address the challenges of the security of food supplies, climate change, growth and employment in rural regions. In this aspect, this paper focuses on the reform that is being carried out by CAP in 2013 in the context of the new pro¬gramming period 2014-2020. Priority is given to forthcoming changes in the Bulgarian agricultural sector regarding the implementation of the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union. It has been proposed to group changes in CAP, which would facilitate the inclusion of the adjusted measures in designing agrarian policy in Bulgaria. The upcoming reform is aimed at achieving a more equitable distribution of resources. It is expected that each member state of the Com-munity should not receive less than 75% of the (average) funds provided by the European Union. The new rules will come into force from January 2014.
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Radko Radkov, Andrey Zahariev
The Currency Board in Bulgaria: Theoretical Reflections and Empirical Results
Summary:
Via this article the authors would like to discuss the idea of the inter-section point of theoretical reflections and reported empirical results referring to the currency board in Bulgaria. To achieve the goal defined the article is structured in the following separate sections: first, clarification of the concept of a currency board in light of leading theoretical research; second, critical analysis and evaluation of the characteristics of the currency board in Bulgaria; third, justification of the authors’ answer regarding the end of the currency board in Bulgaria and its replacement with another system; fourth, econometric analysis and assessment of foreign trade sector influence on the GDP in Bulgaria under the conditions of a fixed currency exchange rate and a high percentage of foreign trade of goods and services in the structure of the GDP; fifth, a study of the currency boards influence on the economic convergence of Bulgaria in comparison with leading EU economies for the period 1998 – 2012. For the authors, Bulgaria’s path to membership in the Eurozone while keeping the currency board regime during the whole period of being in the ERM II “waiting room” is logical and has social and institutional support. The argument for this is that Estonia’s example of entering the Eurozone by preserving the currency rate at the level of the currency board is the reasonable and rational national project for developing Bulgaria’s economy and financial system.
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Daniel Nikolaev
THE IMPACT OF COMMERCIAL BANKS ON CONVERGENCE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
Summary:
The paper traces the impact of the international, systematically important banks on the state and phenomena observed in the European Union. It comes to the conclusion that international commercial banks further strengthen the convergence in the banking systems of the member states. In the process of disclosure of these relationships, the macroeconomic factors in the European Union have also been analyzed affecting the returns from the main activity of banking institutions aggregated across member states. By sequential use of the regression model and optimization, values representing the local specificities of the individual member-state towards the Union have been reached. Links have been found that suggest a time lag in the effects observed since the crisis in 2008. Both the international banks and the stock market status in the individual member states indicate that international systematically important banks function as a conductor of extreme cross-border phenomena.
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Raya Biserova Dragoeva
ECONOMIC GROWTH EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION
Summary:
Education is a key area of public life and its function is to provide highly qualified human capital. The development of the field of education is directly dependent on the funds allocated for training, research and innovation. The spread of the COVID-19 epidemic crated many social and economic problems that national governments are expected resolve quickly and effectively by finding rational solutions. Education is one of the areas of strategic importance for overcoming the consequences of the pandemic. It is an important part of the public sector in which education, training and acquisition of knowledge and skills take place.
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Kalina L. Durova
THE IMPACT OF ABSORBED EUROPEAN FUNDS ON THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF BULGARIA AND NEW MEMBER STATES
Summary:
The aim of this research is to analyze the short- and long-term relationship between the absorbed European funds and the economic growth in the 11 new member states as a group, and in Bulgaria in particular, during the period 2014–2020. To achieve the aim of the research, we have adopted the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The results show that, as public investments, the absorbed European funds have an impact on the economic growth of the 11 new member states in the short, but not in the long term. The relationship between the economic growth and the rate of absorption of European funds in Bulgaria indicates a short-term positive, but not long-term impact of the absorbed European funds on the rate of growth of the real GDP of our country.
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Meriem Chafik, Mohammed Nabil El Mabrouki
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF CROSS-BORDER BANKING: FOCUS ON PAN-AFRICAN BANKS
Summary:
There has been a remarkable increase of the regional banking operations across the African continent over the past two decades. This resulted from macroeconomic improvements and economic growth. As a result, African banks increased their geographical operations to emerge as regional groups holding a considerable market share compared to their historically predominant competitors. However, the literature on the pan-African banking industry to understand better this phenomenon is still scarce, which limits having a bigger and inclusive picture of all the key elements influencing this noteworthy growth. This research paper articulates a review based on previous academic research works, and highlights the most important opportunities that regional banks seized, as well as the challenges they faced in order to lead their cross-border banking operations successfully across the region.
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Angel Angelov
TAX AND SOCIAL INSURANCE BURDEN ON LABOUR FORCE
IN BULGARIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
Summary:
Labour and labour-generated income are the main objects of taxation in the modern world. This calls into question fiscal policy implementtation with a view to ensuring sustainability of the labour market and achieving sustainable management of state budgets. To regulate the burden borne by labour as a factor of production is of particular importance for the compete¬tiveness of the economy and providing incentives for the economic agents. The current research focuses on an analysis of the burden of tax and social security contributions in Bulgaria for the period 2007-2023 aiming to identify the trends that resulted from the changes made in the tax and social insurance legislation and the effects of these changes on market participants. The research also aims to compare the burden borne by economic agents in Bulgaria and in the other EU member states.
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Desislava Koleva Stefanova
THE DYNAMIC TRANSFORMATIONS ON THE LABOUR MARKET IN BULGARIA IN CONDITIONS OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND PANDEMIC
Summary:
This article discusses the main transformations which have occurred in the labour market due to the accelerated processes of digitalization throughout the last two years. In their essence, those changes are caused by the fourth industrial revolution and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The research places the emphasis on the necessity of developing “hybrid” forms of employment based on flexibility and security. Special attention is paid to the necessity of investing human capital in an environment of digital technologies and intensive entering of artificial intellect in labour processes.
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Konstantin Kolev, Maya Tsoklinova
ECONOMIC INTERVENTIONISM UNDER PANDEMIC CONDITIONS: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES ON EU LEVEL
Summary:
The aim of this article is to classify 25 EU member states into homogeneous groups based on the relative shares of GDP of eight subgroups of government expenditures on economic affairs (according to the Classification of the Functions of Government - COFOG) and thus compare the extent of their governments’ intervention in economic affairs. The homogeneous groups were defined by means of a non-hierarchical cluster analysis (K-means) method using the Euclidean distance as a measure of dissimilarity. The results of the clustering of the 25 EU member states by government expenditure by economic function (according to COFOG) reveals the similarities and differences among these countries in terms of their economic interventionism. They also define which economic affairs need government intervention to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Alexandrina Alexandrova
EUROPEAN TAX PRACTICE IN VAT APPLICATION - ANALYTICAL ASPECTS
Summary:
The European Union is among the largest supranational economic and integration structures whose main priority is to create conditions for free movement of capital, goods and labour within the single market. Taxation is one of the most complicated and controversial problems of the economic policy of the Union, as taxes are the main source of budget revenues and their value largely depends on the budget and social policies of the specific Member State, as well as the Community. As a major source of revenue budget for both the national and the European fiscal systems, value added tax creates the necessity for thorough examination and analysis of the specifics of its regulations and the amount of the applicable in EU tax rates.
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Atanas Damyanov
ECLECTIC VIEWS ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF COVID-19
Summary:
This research, with which we aim to penetrate through the Covid-19 fog, consists of four chapters.
In chapter one, very concisely, we identify the consequences of the 2008 crisis.
In chapter two, we have searched for biblical proof and philosophical explanations of the pandemic, upgraded with a paradox of the capitalist economic system. We have provided a graphical representation of the impact of the pandemic, different from the “V”, “U”, “L” and “I”- shaped interpretations.
Chapter three adopts a thesis by Renaud Girard, but we have also made an independent overview of the weaknesses of three ideologies. Furthermore, we have added to the G-20 recommendation for the restoration of transborder commerce.
Chapter four offers a second, author’s variant for graphical representation of overcoming the consequences of the pandemic. It is emphasized that it is not a one-season phenomenon. We have synthesized the damage caused to each sector and profession in the world. We claim that the structure of product range depends on the structure of consumer demand and the changes in the new environment. Therefore, the key word is “Transformation”.
These are followed by thoughts and conclusions divided into three major characteristics of the pandemic and four models of human behavior. We propose new organizational and structural changes for the firms, enterprises, and corporations. We argue that management now tends to be based on algorithms, protocols, and economic platforms.
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Milka Bakyrdzhieva
Women in Power and Decision Making
Summary:
The article treats gender equality in Bulgaria and gender equality in power and decision making, in particular. The general review of the problem is followed by an analysis of women’s participation in the process of power exercising and decision-making in the aspects presented in the third priority area of the European road map. The area is entitled ‘Encouraging gender equality in power and decision making’ and covers three aspects: political participation and representation of women; women in senior executive position in economy (overcoming the vertical segregation); women in science. At the end of the article, there is a practical research on women’s participation in power and decision making.
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Lachezar Borisov
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOOD PRODUCTION PRICES AND INFLATION IN BULGARIA
Summary:
The study aims to find relationships between the total producer price index for food products and the harmonized consumer price index for food products in Bulgaria. The analysis of the relationships aims to reveal the impact of producer prices on the final consumer price of food products, as well as the period in which the strongest relationships are present. The sharp rise in food prices in Bulgaria, the macroeconomic forecasts for the continuation of this trend and their impact on the welfare of citizens make it necessary to analyse various interrelationships that serve the study and forecasting of certain processes in the country. The study concludes that there is a causal relationship between the total producer price index for food products and the harmonized consumer price index for food products in Bulgaria. In contrast to the general case where inflationary processes are transmitted from producer prices to consumer prices with a lag of 5 months, in the case of food products this happens within the same month.
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Borislav Petrov Lazarov
A STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ROAD NETWORK DENSITY IN BULGARIA
Summary:
The subject of this study is the correlation between road network and regional economic development in Bulgaria. The research hypothesis is based on the presumption that there is a positive correlation between the density of the road network and the regional economic development in Bulgaria. This article aims to analyse the relationship between regional GDP per capita (in BGN) and the density of same-class roads by province (in km.) by means of graphical correlograms.
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Irina P. Kazandzhieva Yordanova, Elena Ralinska
A STUDY OF THE DYNAMICS
OF CUSTOMER DEPOSITS
AND INVESTMENTS IN FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS IN BULGARIA
FOR THE PERIOD 2013–2023
Summary:
The globalization of financial markets and the dynamic development of information and communication technologies over the past two decades have become key drivers of significant changes in the financial system. New and increasingly complex financial products and services are emerging, competition among financial institutions is intensifying, and traditional financial services are becoming digitalised. Many financial products offered today did not even exist a few years ago, and almost all transactions, both at the individual and institutional level, are now conducted electronically at the click of a button. In this environment where there are abundant investment opportunities and simplified access to financial markets, deposits remain the preferred instrument for holding savings. This trend is evident not only in Bulgaria, but also in many other countries. This study focuses on examining deposits and investments in financial instruments in Bulgaria over the period 2013 – 2023.
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Ouhinou Amine, Elhachimi Zineb, Kartobi Eddine
STUDY OF THE BEHAVIOURAL DETERMINANTS OF INVESTMENT IN THE ERA OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AMONG SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTORS IN MOROCCO
Summary:
Behavioral economics shows the important role of behavio¬ral and psychological determinants in explaining investment decisions and market anomalies. This study aims to examine the behavior of socially res¬ponsible individual investors in Morocco in the era of the COVID-19 crisis. This paper contributes to the existing literature on behavioral economics in the Moroccan context. To this end, we conducted a survey of socially responsible investors in Morocco after the initial phase of this pandemic between August and October 2022. The data was gathered through the use of a questionnaire. They were analysed to identify the psychological aspects that may influence socially responsible investors’ investment decisions. The SPSS 21 software package was used to perform Cronbach Alpha, factor analysis, descriptive analysis, and multiple regression procedures. This article aims to investigate the psychological features of behaviour in reaction to fear, risk propensity, risk perception, market volatility anxiety, herd behaviour and the impact of vaccination updates. The results found showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, behavior responses to fear, market volatility anxiety, risk propen¬sity, and herd behavior influenced the decision-making of socially responsible investors in Morocco.
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Yulia Nedelcheva
ECONOMIC ASPECTS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF AGE
INEQUALITY IN THE NEW REALITY
Summary:
The aim of article is to present the contemporary development of society and related economic inequality. Emphasis is placed on age inequality due to its economic aspects and characteristics. The main focus of the article is on the new reality of economic slowdown and its adverse effect on another contemporary trend – the growing number of retired persons.
The results of the study identified a trend which is similar across most EU member states - population aging and inequality of the retired people. Unlike the other member states, old-age inequality in Bulgaria is affected by additional factors, such as the ongoing economic transition, social reforms, and European integration processes.
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Rositsa Prodanova, Dimitar Kostov
ECONOMIC POLICIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION – CONCORDANCE OR DISCORDANCE?
Summary:
The series of severe global and regional crises of various nature in recent decades, as well as the erratic success of the various anti-crisis measures undertaken by the European Union raise the issue of examining the concordance among the Union's economic policies. This study examines the coordination between EU’s monetary and fiscal policy to reveal that it is weak, which can be attributed to some crisis resolution shortcomings. The reasons for this incoherence can be found both in the institutional structure of the European financial institutions and in some rigid strategies of the Union (unwillingness to pursue a common fiscal policy, frugal budget spending policies, etc.)
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Beatris Lyubenova
ECONOMIC INEQUALITY IN BULGARIA IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Summary:
Research of economic inequality underlies the design and implementation of an adequate economic or social policy. This paper presents a survey of income inequality in Bulgaria in the period from 2001 to 2015 by studying the dynamics of the Gini coefficient, the integral coefficient of une¬ven distribution and decile ratios. We prove that despite the increase registered in the values of these indices in some years, the trend towards decreasing inequality is still weak. We also establish that there was significant income polarisation measured through the S90/10 and the S80/20 decile ratios. We prove that it is necessary to study the relation between the growth rate of the median income received by households in the first six deciles and the income received by households in the last four deciles by employing the growth rates ratio.
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Lia Kekelidze
THE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND THE PROBLEMS
OF ORIGINATION OF INVESTORS’ OWNERSHIP OVER REAL ESTATE IN GEORGIA
Summary:
In this research of the Investment Environment and the Problems of Origination of Investors’ Ownership over Real Estate in Georgia we have discussed importance of attraction of the direct foreign investments and the problems existing in the economy of Georgia. Besides, we have analyzed the direct foreign investments based on the statistic data and proved the effective role of the direct foreign investments in stimulation of the Georgian economy. In our research we have analyzed the problematic aspects preventing attraction of investments in Georgia. Also we have considered the ways and methods promoting influx of direct foreign investments in Georgia. The main accent is made on the Georgian legislative basis.
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Rosen Kolev
INDUSTRY 4.0 AND KAIZEN COSTING 4.0 – OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TOWARDS CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Summary:
The importance of management accounting and cost management systems for industrial enterprises is constantly growing. In the conditions of the fourth industrial revolution, management systems of economic agents need to adapt to the new economic environment. This article is an attempt to present the influence of Industry 4.0 on a specific cost management system - Kaizen costing. Additionally, it presents the possibilities for the application of Industry 4.0 and Kaizen costing in the circular economy, which has become the main economic perspective for the EU countries.
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Teodor Todorov
INNOVATIVE METHODS TO MEASURE THE MARKET RISK OF THE FOREX MARKET
Summary:
The impact of market risk on the performance of economic agents is significant. The focus of this study is on the various models and techniques to quantify the market risk of the FOREX market. The results from the empirical testing of Monte Carlo simulation models, VaR, CVaR, MVaR, VaR historical simulation, and Delta Normal VaR indicate the presence of market risk in the Foreign exchange market. Of these models, the simulation model is the best measure of market risk. Historical simulation and Delta Normal VaR, on the other hand, help diversify risk by building investment portfolios.
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Plamen M. Pavlov
Innovation Strategies in the Industrial Enterprises
of the Varna Region
Summary:
Innovations in the modern economy are not less important than all other factors of production such as labour, capital and land. Not only do they help resolve existing business problems, but they also contribute to keeping productions that are dying in certain regions due to lack of staff, increase the competitiveness of businesses and entire economies, and meet new or existing public needs. In order for the different types of innovations to be implemented and realized on the market, the organizations that offer them must have specific strategies how this can happen. An enterprise's innovation strategy refers to specific activities such as development and implementation of innovation.
Ultimately, the innovation strategy is an important factor for the successful realization of both product and technological, organizational and management innovations, and hence the improvement of the market positions of the innovative enterprises. This is true for the industrial enterprises of the Varna region as well.
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Metodi Kanev
CAPITALISM AGAINST ITSELF (CRITICAL VIEWS AND INSIGHTS)
Summary:
The pragmatic mass conscience and behavior of individuals towards the achievement of private and public wealth sets the accumulation of capital as its leading motive and factor – it creates jobs, goods and income. As it turns into a lifestyle, it becomes a mass principle of modernity which has led to renaming it to capitalism. This, however, poses the question – does moderniy not problematize the relationships economic – non-economic activities, capital – labor, private – public interests, national – global dependencies? On balance, does it not ignore the moral nature of man contrary to its initial humanistic spirit? The article makes an attempt to defend this hypothesis as it takes into account the views of a number of established social erudite scholars; the judgements are supported by empirical proof leading to the conclusion that by evolving, capitalism all by itself prepares the need of a reorganization of social life on a new basis. As a result of the presented arguments, we reach the conclusion that successful countires will rely primarily on the free multifaceted development of each individual. With a veiw of all this, we need a complete (economic, spritiual, social and legal and political) vision of a positive change which shall harmoniously direct its resources to all spheres of life. This would secure: spirituality – ideas, culture and meaning; economy – material prosperity; morality – virtue; legal and political sphere – social peace, harmonious and just social order.
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Hasan Azis
QUALITY AND PERSPECTIVES
FOR DEVELOPMENT
OF THE ADMINISTRATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE PROCESS OF DECENTRALIZATION IN GREECE
Summary:
The study aims to determine the progress of the central and municipal administrations and their attitudes towards the process of decentralization in Greece; their competences and attitudes regarding decentralization; the degree of completion of decentralization; and the enhancement of the qualification of the central and municipal administrations. The study is based on a questionnaire which included questions regarding the opinion and the attitudes of the administration towards the process decentralization in Greece. The survey was conducted with 95 civil servants. The results outline certain difficulties in the decentralization process as well as ways to overcome them.
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Rousalin Rousalinov
CUSTOMER-CENTRIC APPROACH FOR FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC SURVEYS OF PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANIES
Summary:
The subjects of the study are private security companies. Its object is the leading role of the customer-centric approach for financial and economic justification of the successful functioning and development of private security companies. The research hypothesis is that an objective assessment of the financial and economic aspects and the motivation of individuals and legal entities to purchase protection and security services under the conditions of post-epidemic recovery of the economy can be carried out by means of customer satisfaction and service pricing justification surveys. The aim of this article is to present the results of a customer satisfaction survey and the assessment of the financial and economic aspects as well as the motivation of individuals and legal entities to purchase protection and security services under the conditions of post-epidemic recovery of the economy. Structurally, the article includes three main sections: the first section focuses on the circulation of cash flows of private security companies; the second section presents selected elements of the conducted survey; and the third present an analysis of the survey among private security companies where the protection and security services compete and at the same time complement property insurance services. The survey results (based on a multi-crtieria Likert scale) confirm the validity of the "value for money" concept as an important factor for the pricing of private protection and security services. The survey questionnaire successfully compares the services of non-life insurance companies and the services of protection and security companies. The prevailing opinion is in favour of using the services of specialized companies over taking out insurance policies, with 61% of respondents expressing the opinion that hiring a spåcialized protection and security company is a more effective way to ensure property protection to taking out equivalent insurance with a general insurance company.
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Rayna Petrova
THE COMPETENCE-BASED APPROACH THROUGH THE PRISM OF ACADEMIC TRAINING IN MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING
Summary:
Management accountants’ competences are evolving accor¬ding to the changing socio-economic reality. The practical application of the competence-based approach in this field is a response to the change of attitudes from subject-oriented to competence-oriented education.
The aim of this article is to propose a competence-based learning model for students in management accounting. The application of the developed competence model in the educational process will contribute both to the development of competences, knowledge, skills, values, ethics and attitudes and the realization of future management accountants.
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Kalina L. Durova
THE COHESION POLICY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
AND INTER-REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN BULGARIA
Summary:
The article presents a theoretical analysis of the causes for inter-regional disparities and an empirical study on the impact of the EU Cohesion Policy on the standard of living in Bulgaria. It also gives some recommendations for maximizing the beneficial effect of this policy on the regions in our country. The author defends the thesis that the economic imbalances among regions cause social and demographic ones. Accordingly, the study focuses on the economic inter-regional differences and the way they are affected by the Cohesion (Regional) policy of the European Union as a tool utilized by the Community to achieve economic and social cohesion.
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Vladislav Lyubenov
THE EUROZONE YIELD CURVE SHAPE DURING COVID19: A PROJECTION OF INVESTMENT AND MACROECONOMIC EXPECTATIONS
Summary:
The aim of this article is to provide a substantiated explanation of the shape of the yield curve in relation to the current theoretical reasoning and empirical data regarding the macroeconomic situation and the bond market. The object of research is the yield curve of government securities compounded from the average yields of AAA-rated government securities issued by euro area member states. The first part of the article presents the underlying literature and the theoretical foundations of the research hypotheses as well as the research methodology used. The second part addresses the spot and the forward yield curves in March 2021. The third part presents various empirical data and analyses the development of the bond market during the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Dimitar M. Ivanov
MACROECONOMIC CHALLENGES AND RISKS POSED BY THE GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Summary:
The article presents an analysis of the current global eco¬nomic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The author’s objecttives were to define and discuss the characteristics of the current crisis and its external causes as well as the macroeconomic, financial, institutional and social imbalances in the period after the global financial crisis of 2008 that led to its outbreak. Using this analysis, the author is identifying some longer-term macroeconomic challenges and risks that would deepen and prolong the current crisis as on a global scale as well as in the economies of Europe and Bulgaria. The main thesis to which the author adheres is that although the contemporary crises that occurred in 1929, during the 70s, and in 2008 had typical common characteristics and provided us with valuable lessons to be learnt, each of those crises had its own character and features. Based on this thesis, the article draws attention to the essential critical problems of the global economy in addition to those caused by the coronavirus shock.
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Martin Tinchev
METHODOLOGY FOR MITIGARING ENERGY POVERTY IN BULGARIA
AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
Summary:
In the mid-2000s, an increasing number of articles began to address the need for developing modern energy services in developing countries. These publications, in addition to analyzing the lack of physical access to energy services and its consequences, also discussed the financial inaccessibility of these services. Researchers assessed various types of energy resources consumed by households across income deciles to highlight income-based disparities. The World Bank raised the issue of financial inaccessibility to energy on an international level, emphasizing its negative effects on people’s health, children’s education, women’s quality of life, and the environment. Energy accessibility was examined within tools aimed at addressing poverty issues, especially among marginalized groups, rural areas, and other underserved communities.
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Dimitar Blagoev, Radostin Boyadzhiev
METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF MANAGEMENT OF PORTFOLIOS OF INVESTMENT PROJECTS FOR REAL ASSETS OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
Summary:
The article aims to present the potential of the classical portfolio theory and the possibilities for its application in the formation and selection of a portfolio of investment projects for investment in real assets. For this purpose, it reviews and summarizes the views of various authors on key concepts, such as investment, project, investment project, etc. The essential conceptual characteristics of portfolio theory are defined in terms of its methodological and mathematical toolbox and subsequently adapted to a conceptual model (methodological framework) for selection of a portfolio of investment projects for real assets and its optimization according to key criteria set by the management. Finally, its draws conclusions regarding the main advantages and the related constraints of the methodological model.
-
P. Dimitrova
A methodology for a complex assessment of personnel competitiveness within a company
Summary:
In this scientific investigation a model is developed and applied for the comprehensive evaluation of the competitive power and competency of spe-cialists in a specific firm (enterprise, institution and so on). The different criteria used in this assessment and example contents of these criteria are noted. The evaluation is performed by utilizing 6 degrees. The indicators used in the study are assigned different values which depend on the importance of the results obtained from a specific specialist working in a specific area. The specialist’s competency is calculated using a complex assessment which simultaneously uses 138 indicators.
There are possibilities for applying the methodology developed when evaluating the competitive power of products which are produced by compa-nies with different types of production and when evaluating this at both a re-gional and national level. The methodology can be computerized and can be applied by collecting the information, and the different criteria in these indi-cators constitutes the characteristics of the specialist, product, company, mu-nicipality, region and so on.
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Viktor Monev
PLURILINGUALISM, MULTILINGUASLISM IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND MULTILINGUAL DIDACTICS
Summary:
The core of business communications is the language as a means of exchange of information. In today's globalized world, most people are plurilingual, i.e. they understand and use several languages. This is due both to the development of the international trade and business and the increasing frequency of private international contacts. Plurilingualism affects people’s social environment, career development and culture. According to the modern concept, a plurilingual person must have certain competence in at least two other languages in the same or in a different field of communication. In this respect, plurilingualism is fully consistent with the language policy of the European Union. The main goal of the study was to examine the current state of plurilingualism in the field of business communications and outline some theoretical aspects of plurilingual didactics.
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Daniela Feschiyan
A Model for Financial Reporting of Fixed Tangible Assets in Public Sector Entities
Summary:
The article reviews some of the disadvantages related to the current model of financial reporting of fixed tangible assets in public sector entities. A prerequisite for the occurrence of the researched problems is the lack of standardization in the accounting system of those entities. The author suggests a standardized model and supports the thesis that the problem could only be solved through the adoption of accounting standards replacing the existing practice of regulating the accounting process in public sector entities with instructions and letters. The suggested standardized accounting model for primary recognition, current and regular valuation of fixed tangible assets projects the means and ways for improving the accounting system of public sector entities by adapting it to the conceptual framework of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards.
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Boyan Iliev
Multiple Peril Risk Insurance of Agricultural Crops – a Myth or Reality
Summary:
The insurance of agricultural crops is a conservative type of insurance. It is quite rarely that radical organizational changes are introduced. Currently, however, conditions dictate the introduction ofthere are the necessary conditions such changes in the Republic of Bulgaria. Modern development of agricultural production is a prerequisite for changing the methodology of this type of insurance so as to adapt it to the demands of agricultural producers. This article develops the thesis that a similar change might be implemented by transforming the liability of insurance companies from a liability related to certain risks and losses to a liability referring to any risks and losses. In other words, it is possible to make the transition to the so-called multiple peril risk insurance.
Multiple peril risk insurance is considered to be a novelty which has only recently been introduced in EU member-states with advanced economies. Therefore, it is the subject of large-scale discussions. The objective is to choose to introduce such an option that will best correspond to the specific features of the agricultural development and traditions in the Republic of Bulgaria and related insurance practice.
-
Stoycho Dulevski
PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT
AND FIXED ESTABLISHMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE SUBSIDIARY AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY
Summary:
The purpose of this paper is to present some challenges regarding the concepts “permanent establishment” (PE) and “fixed establishment” (FE) in the context of the subsidiary and the digital economy. These issues are some of the most discussed topics in the field of international and European tax law, which determines their relevance and growing research and practical interest.
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Mariya Pavlova, Rayna Petrova
THE EMERGING CHANGES
IN THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION AND THE ACCONTING PRACTICE UNDER THE INFLUENCE
OF TECHNOLOGY
Summary:
The implementation of new technologies in accounting brings many benefits for the future, but also carries many risks. In the current digital era, the adequate practical application of technologies in accounting can become a strategic advantage for companies. In relation to the digitalisation and the upcoming organizational changes, both in the sphere of accounting and in the companies themselves, accounting specialists are a key factor for success. This study gives a thorough overview and analysis of specialised literature in this area and a number of empirical studies. The results show that the literature mainly focuses on certain technologies, while other are actually used in practice. Differences have been identified between the accounting practices of the USA and the European countries. The authors outline three directions in which technologies help accounting teams to transition to modern accounting and effectively perform their tasks in the digital world. The conclusion is that today, specialised skills and strategic thinking of accounting specialists are particularly important and in the near future, they will not be entirely displaced by technologies.
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Silvia Toneva, Kristina Stefanova
PROMOTING THE PARTICIPATION OF SMEs IN DUAL TRAINING IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN BULGARIA
Summary:
The aim of the paper is to make recommendations for the development of the dual system in Bulgaria in terms of increasing the participation of SMEs and taking into account the regional specificities of the educational structure of the population and youth unemployment. Financial incentives, a large-scale information campaign and visibility of participating enterprises are some of the important factors to encourage SMEs to become partners in the dual system. In order to ensure a wider participation of enter¬prises, it is important to gradually increase financial incentives (through support in the form of grants, tax relief, etc.). The existing differences between regions in Bulgaria suggest that a more substantial incentive for SMEs to become partners in dual training could be achieved by applying a regional criterion. When planning measures for the development of the dual training system in Bulgaria, efforts should be made to cover more persons at risk of dropping out of the education system and persons who will not enter higher education.
-
Venelin Terziev
THE NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT PLAN IN BULGARIA - POLICIES, PRIORITIES AND NECESSARY CHANGES DUE
TO COVID-19
Summary:
The paper comprises two interrelated parts and focuses on the analysis and study of the processes on the Bulgarian market, which unfold in the emergency situation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemics. In the first part, an attempt is made for a systematic analysis of the current national employment plan, its priorities and the needed revisions thereof in the conditions of a critical situation.
-
Rumen Vyrbanov, Krasimir Shishmanov
NEW GENERATION SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRONIC BUSINESS
AND ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS
Summary:
The concept of new generation electronic business (e-Busi¬ness 2.0, Social Business) refers to companies which integrate social technologies and instruments in all business processes, i.e. internal as well as external ( clients, suppliers, business partners), and in this way overcome many of the traditional organisational barriers which slow down the exchange of information and collaboration.
The first part of the article studies the basic characteristics of the new generation of electronic business systems which were formed under the influ-ence of Web 2.0, social media, mobile technologies and cloud calculations. The article also tries to outline the changes in the three main spheres of elec-tronic business: the use of Web 2.0 technologies for managing internal corporate communication, the design and development of new products and knowledge management (the Internet environment), corporate communication and interaction with external partners and clients (Extranet environment, B2M model) and electronic trade (online stores, B2C model).
The second part of the article analyses the possibilities and advantages provided by modern technologies for developing electronic payments, i.e. the use of debit and credit cards, contactless payments, mobile banking and bitcoins.
-
Yanko Hristozov
Some Key Issues Regarding the Provision of Solvency
in the Enterprise
Summary:
Liquidity indicators are among the most common and popular financial indicators of solvency in the enterprise. Besides the most commonly used liquidity ratios, the financial cycle provides an additional opportunity to measure the period of total asset turnover and solvency of the company. The purpose of this article is to outline some major issues related to ensuring solvency by taking a range of measures. The problem with the supply of liquidity often stands open for most economic agents, especially during the financial and economic crisis of 21st century. The tasks which are placed are: identification of best practices and formulation of innovative methods in managing the financial cycle in the enterprise and liquidity in general. The research thesis is supported by the claim that liquidity ratios do not provide sufficient information about the payment status of the enterprise for not con-sidering the period of turnover. It is therefore necessary to analyze the state of the financial cycle and implement measures in relation to the improvement of both indicators.
-
Stoyan Prodanov
Indemnification of Non-Material Damages Caused by Road
Traffic Accidents – Ethical and Financial Aspects
Summary:
With the development of road transport, social, labour, educational, investment, and cultural mobility has improved, at the expense of worsened traffic security, increased damage to property, health and lives of traffic participants. Car accidents have become a global phenomenon and are a leading cause of death compared to household and occupational accidents. The value of human life continues to be a challenging and unresolved problem facing science, politics, economic and social relations. However, healthcare, insurance, the fields of security and justice are daily confronted with the need to negotiate and find a pragmatic solution to the problem of the value of human life. Insurance companies offering the compulsory ‘Motor third party liability insurance’ cover the liability of the insured for the damage caused to third parties as a result of the possession or use of a motor vehicle while driving or idling. Insurers cover non material and material damages resulting from bodily injury or death, damage caused to other people’s property, loss of profit deriving directly and immediately from the damage, reasonable costs incurred in relation to the filing of a claim, including legal expenses awarded against the insured, and the interest. The current situation in the insurance market, the legal regulation of indemnities in our country, as well as the prosperity of the Bulgarian citizens, reflect on a number of problems accompanying this type of insurance.
-
Silviya Kostova
Audit procedures in the assessment of environmental costs
Summary:
The article reviews the interdependence between changes in financial reporting and the scope of audit procedures conducted by statutory auditors. It studies the characteristics of the environmental aspects of the integrated fi-nancial framework and their impact on the accuracy of financial and non-fi-nancial information. Some of the challenges faced by statutory auditors have been outlined in response to the major measures adopted through the strategic document “Europe 2020”, as well as the expectations of audit opinion users via integrated reporting.
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Plamen Yordanov, Margarita Nikolova, Zhaneta Angelova
ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPENSATIONS FOR TEMPORARY LOSS OF CAPACITY TO WORK
Summary:
The insurance for general diseases with temporary incapacity to work has specific features due to the specifics of the risk it covers. Such diseases are very frequent but usually mild and entail specific consequences, such as reduction or loss of income due to sick leaves. The object of research is the insurance for of general diseases and its subject is the organizational framework and the regulations regarding the benefits for temporary incapacity for work. The aim of this study is to investigate the organizational and economic characteristics of benefits for temporary incapacity for work due to general disease in certain of the European Union and formulate guidelines for organizational development and improvement of the social security system in Bulgaria.
-
Stoyan Prodanov, Dimitrina Lyubenova Prodanova
BULGARIA’S COVERAGE WITH LOCAL INITIATIVE GROUPS – A SPATIAL ANALYSIS
Summary:
This research focuses on the innovative LEADER approach within the Common agricultural policy of the EU which is widely used for the decentralized and at the same time integrated development of rural regions in each member state. Theoretically, the LEADER approach is part of the endogenous theory of economic development and plays an important role in achieving the social, economic and now climatic aims as a specific European model of stimulating the inclusion of communities in local development. From a spatial point of view, the LEADER approach has been applied at the level of municipality or unified neighboring municipalities and/or neighboring settlements-part of a municipality/ies with a population between 10,000 and 150,000 inhabitants by local initiative groups (LIG). Bulgaria’s Program for the development of rural regions 2014–2020 adopts the national definition according to which rural regions are defined at the municipal level (LAU 1) and comprise the territory of 231 municipalities in which the largest town has a population of 30,000 inhabitants. The analysis of the spatial coverage of rural regions with LIG shows the negative effect of the admission of typically urban municipalities within the territories which receive funding through the LEADER network. To eliminate those inaccuracies in determining the policies for the development of rural regions, we propose and test variants to change this arguable, too streamlined and non-corresponding to scientific thought definition of a rural region.
-
Lyubomir Dimitrov
A PORTFOLIO METHOD FOR INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS
Summary:
The article analyzes the possibility of improving the risk/return characteristics of an international real estate investment portfolio via the acquisition of residential offshore properties. It takes the perspective of the American investor. First, the index DOKHPI is constructed to measure annual changes in property prices in the Cayman Islands and appreciation returns. After the addition of the rental income yields, the estimated total annual returns are included in a mixed portfolio composed of American and Caymanian residential real estate assets. The benefit of investing in offshore real estate is demonstrated by the construction of efficient frontier and correlation matrix.
-
Dragomir Iliev, Daniela Ilieva, Yordan Neykov
THE POTENTIAL FOR ATTRACTING CHINESE TOURISTS TO BULGARIA'S TOURIST MARKET
Summary:
With its great variety of natural, cultural and historical resources and low labour cost, Bulgaria has the potential to develop new tourist products and attract tourists from lucrative markets such as the Chinese market, which provides millions of tourists every year. However, in order to attract these tourists to the Bulgarian tourist market, we must analyse their needs. The aim of this article is to define the possibilities for adjusting the Bulgarian tourist product to the main characteristics of Chinese tourists in terms of mitigating the existing cultural differences.
-
Lyudmil Krystev
PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF FINANCIAL CONTROLLING IN A COMPANY
Summary:
Financial controlling facilitates the managers of companies in making the right managerial decisions. The process of controlling includes planning, control and analysis. Planning is associated with setting goals and developing planned budgets, control – with detecting deviations from the goals, whereas analysis is associated with disclosing the reasons for these deviations. The information system occupies a central place in financial controlling. It includes a system of indicators; the leading indicator being considered as an objective. The role of information systems in controlling is to link planning activities, control and analysis. This article presents the application of the information system of financial controlling in a particular company – an insurance company operating in the sector of General Insurance.
-
Nigohos Kanaryan
ENHANCING THE ADJUSTMENTS OF MARKET MULTIPLES FOR BETTER OPERATING EFFICIENCY
Summary:
The study focuses on one of the specific applications of the market approach. The market approach is a valuation method whereby the fair market value of the target company is determined by reviewing comparable companies with similar operational and financial characteristics. The International Valuation Standards (2017) require that a valuer should make adjustments to the selected market multiples. Kasarova, Pramatarska and Lazarova (2009) and Todorov (2015) propose a method for adjusting market multiples for country risk and efficiency when the market approach is applied to emerging markets. We enhance their adjustment approach by removing its inherent restrictions.
-
Silviya Todorova Petkova
PROBLEMS AFORE THE CONVERGENCE OF THE PLANNING REGIONS IN BULGARIA
Summary:
In the present article an analysis is made of the achievements and problems faced by the six planning regions in our country, related to their goals for reducing regional disparities. This is achieved through the analysis of key indicators that serve to measure cohesion in each of its three aspects. In this way it will be established whether the EU Cohesion Policy conducted in our country in the first for our country (MFF) 2007-2013 and in the second (MFF) 2014-2020 have an effect and to what extent this effect has the effect of reducing or deepening regional disparities. For the purposes of the study, the mean-absolute deviation (MAD) and the coefficient of variation (CV) were used as tools for quantitative data analysis. The results of the study confirm the thesis of scientists and authors working in the field that there is no significant progress in reducing disparities between regions in our country.
-
Andrey Pochtovyuk
Issues with Reforming Higher Education in Ukraine
Summary:
Urgency of this research: Relevant research in educational processes has increased as society realises that the transition to an information society where knowledge acts as the main social value increases the importance of the possession of an highly intellectual personality capable not only of perceiving earlier accumulated scientific knowledge, but also of generalising, analysing, creating new advanced information technologies, services and products. Therefore preparation of the modern professionally qualified engineer for work in enterprises is an important component of the development of the na¬tional economy.
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Vesselina Dimitrova, Georgi Marinov, Lino Manosperta
DEVELOPING LOW-CARBON TOURISM IN PUGLIA: CASE STUDY OF I. ARCHEO.S PROJECT
Summary:
This paper aims to examine the main determinants for developing low carbon tourism in Puglia region, studying the perceptions of a focus group of ca. 60 public and private stakeholders within Interreg project Italy-Croatia named I.-Archeo.S. project;
Data were collected during I-Archeo.S itinerary (N=40) and through personal interviews (N=10) in March 2019. Statistical modelling of t-test, varimax rotation as well as Likert- scale was applied to study the factors of influence for tourist behavior and sustainable tourism (i.e. availability of ecological certification, participation in eco-initiatives, interest in typical products, green event awareness etc.).
The results reveal that low-carbon travel is becoming the main way to stimulate the development of sustainable tourism in Puglia region. The increasing necessity for ecological knowledge and cultural heritage protection are perceived as significant factors for low-carbon tourism performance. These findings can help stakeholders from tourism and cultural sectors in Puglia region to prioritise resources and services across different seasons.
Although the literature identifies dimensions of sustainable tourism, case studies on low-carbon tourism are still sparse. This study, therefore, contributes to expanding this body of knowledge.
-
Dudar Volodimir
Development of the Market for Food Products from Ukraine’s Agricultural Sector
Summary:
The article analyses the development of markets for food products from the Ukraine agricultural sector and the degree of its dependence on imports of food products. The article also outlines the main areas for activating international economic activities and realization of export potential of Ukraine’s agricultural sector specializing in food production. The author advocates the necessity of deepening the processes of integration with main international markets of agricultural food products.
-
Silvia Sasheva Zarkova
REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN BULGARIA TODAY: ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHALLENGES
Summary:
To accelerate Bulgaria's economic development taking into account the specific characteristics of their regions is a serious challenge for the local governments in the country. The ongoing political and economic changes require a reassessment of the country's economic development. The aim of this study was to analyse the disparities among Bulgaria’s regions (defined in accordance with the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS)) by assessing the degree of economic, social and demographic chal¬lenges they face and performing a multivariate comparative analysis with sets of statistically significant indicators. The analysis clearly outlines the bounda¬ries of the regional disparities and the need to improve the country’s regional and cohesion policies.
-
N. Gushterov
Electricity Market Regulation – a Hindrance or a Necessity
Summary:
Over the past thirty years we have been witnessing radical changes in the organizational structure of electricity markets worldwide. The vertically -integrated structures (VIS), typical of this industry, have disinte¬grated into small and independent companies to stimulate competition. A milestone in reforming the electricity markets was the establishment of a regulatory body and regulatory mechanisms that accompany the process of liberalization. However, are these mechanisms and regulation in general required? The purpose of this article is to find an answer to this question. The research area is the regulation of energy markets as a method for increasing the efficiency of companies and market operation. The research subject focuses on the different regulatory mechanisms used in the electricity markets in the EU and Bulgaria. The analysis made gives us grounds to identify an objective need for regulation of the electricity markets. Two of the four segments of the market, and namely transmission and distribution of electricity need regulation. The regulation of the other two segments, production and supply, should be limited to a minimum.
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Ana Borisova Ivanova
THE HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM IN BULGARIA –FINANCING MODELS AND STATUS EVALUATION
Summary:
The article presents a research on the specific characteristics of the existing models for healthcare financing worldwide. It also presents a brief overview of the specific characteristics of Bulgaria’s healthcare system and a survey on the need for healthcare reform in hospital care which identifies the bottlenecks in financing medical services for the population. The main problems resulting from the permanent shortage of financial resources and determined by financing methods that prioritize the quantity rather than the quality of the provided medical services are outlined. The degree of effectiveness of clinical pathways as a tool for hospital funding is assessed.
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Miroslav Dimitrov, Anatoly Andreev
SOLUTIONS AND PROSPECTS FOR ENSURING ENERGY SECURITY
Summary:
The article is an attempt for scientific justification and analysis, which aim to determine the role of energy policy for the decisions and prospects for development of the energy sector in terms of its influence, benefits and disadvantages. Therefore, its subject is the policy implemented in the energy sector, which is used as a tool to guarantee energy security. Its object is the European Union as a whole and our country - the Republic of Bulgaria – as one of its member states. To achieve these objectives, the authors have made a retrospective analysis of the principles of energy policy analysing in detail the use of the regulatory means, frameworks and mechanisms as instruments of the energy policy of the EU and the Republic of Bulgaria, which aim to guarantee their energy security.
The main focus is on the effect and effectiveness of the use of such tools from the point of view of the sectoral energy policy in terms of their implementation and impact on the current energy policy, the prospects for guaranteeing energy security, and the overall development of the energy sector.
-
Anatoli Filipov Velkovski
PROOFS OF SEASONALITY OF BULGARIA’S EXPORT OF CONSUMER GOODS, RAW MATERIALS AND PROCESSED MATERIALS OVER
THE PERIOD 2020–2023
Summary:
A country’s balance of payments determines the degree of openness of its economy. In our case, it is the ratio of the debit and credit entries in the current account to GDP. Data regarding Bulgaria indicate that during the period of its full membership in the EU, the average annual ratio of its balance of trade to GDP exceeds 110%. This categorizes the country as an open-type economy. Simultaneously, an economy which is heavily reliant on both exports and imports is considered extremely susceptible to external shocks and strongly dependent on foreign markets. Accordingly, the study focuses on the export of two leading groups of goods within the current account of the balance of payments: the group of consumer goods and the group of raw and processed materials. The research aims to examine the dynamics of export flows using the method of seasonal projection. The working hypothesis is that due to the effect of various crises (such as the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, spiking energy prices, etc.) and the economic cycle in the agricultural sector, the dynamics of exports of consumer goods and raw and processed materials has seasonal characteristics. The objective is to analyse Bulgaria's exports for the period 2020–2023 on a quarterly basis and to define the trend component, the seasonal component, and the random component with a forecast for 2024.
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Vera Pirimova, Petar Ilkov Peshev
Comparative Advantages and Competitiveness of Bulgarian Exports
Summary:
The research analyses the comparative advantages and competitiveness of Bulgarian production and exports. The paper consists of two parts. Part one reviews some theoretical concepts about the nature of comparative advantages and interprets the indexes designed by B. Balassa and M. Amir. Part two provides computations of B. Balassa and M. Amir indexes and analyses obtained results to identify the comparative advantages and disadvantages of Bulgarian production and exports for certain commodities and commodity groups in the period from 2012 to 2016. Based on the findings of the analysis, we identify and summarise available opportunities for expanding or limiting the exports of certain commodity groups and raising the competitiveness of Bulgarian economy. The research employs mathematical and statistical methods, mainly the index method, in addition to the methods of analysis and synthesis.
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Ivelin Simeonov Kichukov
STRATEGIC TRANSFORMATION OF TOURISM IN BULGARIA – ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND GROWTH POTENTIAL
Summary:
The subject of this study is the tourism sector. The analysis focuses on the strategic transformation in the sector to ensure its economic recovery and realize its growth potential. The research hypothesis posits that recovery in the tourism sector is predicated on amendments of national strategic documents, assessment of consumer and service provider attitudes in the tourism industry taking into account the absolute and relative international advantages and resources of our country which faces strong competition from Greece and Turkey as well as the existing geopolitical challenges. The main task is to analyse macroeconomic data to determine the degree of post-epidemic recovery of the tourism sector as well as to conduct a survey intended to identify possibilities for rebranding and making amendments to national strategic documents to reflect the country’s absolute and relative international advantages and resources. Structurally, the article is divided into two main sections. The first section identifies indicators for assessing the level of post-epidemic recovery of Bulgaria's tourism sector. The second section presents findings from a survey conducted among benchmark economic operators and customers regarding the possibilities for strategic transformation of the tourism sector, including rebranding and digitalization. The conclusion summarizes the findings and presents author’s own critical comments regarding the current state of the tourism sector.
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Andrey Burachenko
Nature and Mechanisms of State Fiscal Policy
Summary:
This article investigates the points of view of outstanding scientists-economists on the role and place of fiscal policy in the state. It is devoted to the different approaches and to the interpretation of finance and financial science in Western and former Soviet states. The structure of the mechanism of fiscal policy is proposed. Also the use of macroeconomic regulation financial instruments is argued for.
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Ivailo Nikolaev Marinov
TRANS-BORDER EXPANSION IN THE QUICK LOANS SECTOR (PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS)
Summary:
The enterprises operating in the “quick loans” sector are microfinance institutions. Since they are not banking institutions, they need to adhere to more rigid financial management rules both in terms of fund raising and lending, especially regarding the so called “quick loans” category. The "quick loans" sector is defined as economic activity that, under the terms of the regulatory framework in force, allows a non-banking financial institution to provide unsecured (short-term) loans based on borrower’s income and credit profile and to charge high interest rates and added fees to offset the associated risk. The results of the survey confirm that this sector is a specific segment of the financial services sector that complies with the national regulations and creates a market for financial services that are essentially equivalent to the unsecured short-term bank loans but have profitability and return characteristics that make them competitive to the services offered by commercial banks. The successful of the financial management of these companies is based on their scoring models for assessing the risk of borrower’s default.
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I. Dimitrova, Y. Velcheva
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING IN AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES – THE BUDGETING FUNCTION
Summary:
The significance of the information created through management accounting and its limited use in the management of agricultural enterprises are the main motives for writing this article. We defend the thesis that if budgeting were implemented in agricultural enterprises, this would lead to more efficient management. The purpose of the paper is – on the basis of presenting the relationship between management and accounting – to outline the capacity of the planning and budgeting system for setting management objectives and parameters which acquire various quantitative and qualitative dimensions; this shall be achieved through managerial decisions. We propose a conceptual model of the planning and budgeting system at the agricultural enterprise which shall reflect its specific characteristics and create information for its future development; forecast its financial state, the results of the activity, the cash flows, the changes in the assets and the capital.
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Andrey Zahariev, Atanas Atanasov, Galina Chipriyanova
FINANCE AND ECONOMIC ACCOUNTING – FACULTIES, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND A 70-YEAR TRADITION
Summary:
At a solemn joint session, the Faculty Councils of the Faculty of Finance and the Faculty of Economic Accounting at the D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics celebrated the 70th anniversary of their establishment. By Decree No. 289 of August 20, 1953, effective from September 1, 1953, the Presidium of the National Assembly redistributed and regrouped the specialties at the Higher Financial and Economic Institute in Svishtov, into two faculties - Financial-Statistical and Accounting. Over the years, the faculties have changed their names several times - Financial-Statistical (1953), Financial-Economic (1973), and the Faculty of Finance (1993), and respectively - Accounting (1953), Accounting-Economic (1973), and the Faculty of Economic Accounting (1993). The purpose of this article is to present the results of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Faculty of Finance and the Faculty of Economic Accounting at the D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics through the organization and conduct of a prestigious international scientific forum.
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Petko Angelov, Silvia Sasheva Zarkova
THE FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY OF BULGARIA’S MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC DIGITALIZATION
Summary:
Digitalization is among the main priorities of the EU set in the Europe 2030 strategy; Bulgaria and Bulgaria’s municipalities are direct participants in this process. The global COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020 positively reflects the process of digitalization including the public sector and local self-government as the effects of it are of varying intensity. The research ascertains that the process of adjustment of the financial and budget transparency of the municipalities to modern digital solutions has resulted in a significant difference in the implementation of the concept of European economic digitalization among the various administrative units in the country. This requires the improvement of the process of digitalization which is of utmost significance for the private sector; it also necessitates taking efficient measures for the formation of favorable business environment; citizens shall also be taken into account with a view of facilitating them in performing their administrative duties.
-
Taner Ismailov
Financial Aspects of Implementation of Social Policy in the Republic of Bulgaria During the Period 2000-2015
Summary:
The article studies the state and development trends in the social policy of the Republic of Bulgaria during the period 2000-2015. The significance of this study has been determined by the fact that in accordance with the Consolidated Fiscal Programme, the costs made by the state in order to keep its social policy and compared to its GDP over the same period, have ranged between the considerable 14.35% and 18.39%. During the analysed period the state was striving for expanding the scope and opportunities for development of the social policy. Despite the changes in the economic conjuncture, the amount of funds that have been spent on social protection has been growing, which is an irrefutable evidence of the stable and sustainable social policy of the Republic of Bulgaria.
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Anna Ivanova
FISCAL CONSOLIDATION: EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE AND THE NEED TO IMPLEMENT IT IN UKRAINE
Summary:
The article focuses on the need to implement fiscal consoli¬dation in countries with high levels of public borrowing. It was found out that the level of public debt of the leading countries around the world far exceeds its allowable rate, which is 60% of GDP.
It was found out that fiscal consolidation is a state policy, which aims to balance public finances at the expense of reducing the budget deficit and accumulated debt. Theoretical models of the impact of fiscal consolidation on aggregate demand and aggregate supply are also studied. The major hazards to the implementation of the policy of fiscal consolidation in highly developed and developing countries are outlined. Attention is drawn to the need to im-plement fiscal consolidation in Ukraine, because the level of public debt in 2015 constituted 79.4% of GDP, significantly exceeding the limits of the al-lowable level. Identified are the main problems related to the functioning of public finance sector in Ukraine. Suggested are ways to stabilize public fi-nances in Ukraine.
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Mariyana Pavlova Banova
FISCAL DECENTRALISATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA – FINANCIAL EFFECTS AND REGIONAL ASPECTS
Summary:
Fiscal decentralization, which aims to enhance local au¬to¬no¬my in terms of transferring rights, obligations and duties from a gover¬n¬men¬tal to a municipal level, needs to ensure the efficient exploitation of public resources and the provision of high-quality public services at the optimum cost. Changes in local govern¬ment which have been going on for two decades now raise the issue of the results which have been achieved in this respect so far. The objective of this paper is to study the degree of decentralization of the public sector in Bul-garia and to assess the financial independence, investment activity and effi-ciency of selected municipalities in Bulgaria.
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Mariam Voskanyan
FUNDED PENSION SYSTEM
OF ARMENIA: PROBLEMS, DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS, ROLE IN ECONOMIC GROWTH
Summary:
The pension fund system, both in theory and in practice, solves many important problems from the point of view of the country's economic development. In particular, the social issue is being solved, in many respects it contributes to equalizing the incomes of the population, raising the level of the population of retirement age, and many other social and economic tasks. However, when it comes to developing markets, the funded pension system requires closer attention both from the side of supervision and from the point of view of the very mechanisms and principles for implementing the funded pension system in the country.
This study is devoted to the analysis of the funded pension system of the Republic of Armenia, in terms of the effectiveness of its investments and the impact on the country's economic growth.
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E. Chengelova
A holistic approach to examining the shadow economy
Summary:
The article provides a brief retrospection of the methods which are applied within the framework of various paradigm approaches for studying and explaining shadow economy practices in Europe and worldwide. The author offers and explains an original methodology for researching shadow economy, based on her experience with one of the Bulgarian teams working in the sphere of measuring illegal economic activities. The article proves that due to the complex and controversial nature of informal economic activities examining them requires the application of a holistic method. For this reason a combined research strategy has been developed. It uses a unified definition of shadow economy and is realized through a system of related sociological surveys while the primary, raw information is obtained through qualitative and quantitative methods. The overall conclusion resulting from the applied research strategy is that the study of shadow economy with the help of sociological approaches is methodologically consistent and constructive – both with respect to obtaining knowledge and the possibilities for developing and correcting national policies.
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Valentin Milinov,
Human Resources in Regional Administration - Financial, Management and Organizational Aspects
Summary:
Public administration supports the activities of the state authorities by ensuring the actual functioning of the state administration. It regulates the relations between the citizens and the state institutions and local institutions, administers their rights and obligations, as well as the ways they are implemented. Regional administration is an important part of the public administration. It assists the district governor to carry out the state governance and ensure consistency between national and local interests in conducting regional policies and achieving the strategic goals and priorities of the government programme. Modern understanding of the theory of quality of human capital involved in public administration highlights the key importance of this factor at national level. Global changes related to the adaptation of the Bulgarian administration to the European one have put an even greater emphasis on integration, capacity increase, career opportunities, optimizing the costs and improving human resources management in the state administration.
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Nikolay Todorov
THE JAPANESE MODEL OF TRANSITION TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Summary:
The article focuses on the most important stages of enforcement and implementation of the principles of circular economy in Japan in terms of the reasons for and the consequences from the emergence and development of the circular resource-saving model in the country. It discusses the transition to an environment-friendly economic model, its importance for people’s health and relevance to the needs of the modern society. The systematic role of Japan’s regulatory framework is considered in terms of the implementation of a cyclical environment-friendly economic model and policies intended to strengthen public-private partnerships and promote the circular economy among a wide range of stakeholders. It also discusses the application of the ISO14001 international standard in Japan and presents several indicative circular business models successfully implemented in Japanese companies.
