Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Livia Ablonczy-Mihalyka Author-Name-First: Livia Author-Name-Last: Ablonczy-Mihalyka Author-Email: ablne@sze.hu Author-Workplace-Name: Széchenyi István University Title: When in Rome do as the Romans do: is it a reality of business life? Abstract: Every aspect of our scientific life is subdued to accelerated development and with the internationalisation of the economy the area of intercultural communication still possesses great potential for research. Both researhers and professionals emphasise the importance of knowledge of different cultures and they agree that globalisation has brought the growing trend to work ? virtually and/or face-to-face ? with people from different cultural backgrounds.The research to be discussed in the paper is a part of a complex research conducted in 2013. The main objective of the research is to help companies to work more effectively. The purpose of the present paper is to demonstrate the results of a survey conducted with Hungarian professionals who are in business contact with partners with different cultural backgrounds. This paper focuses on demonstrating how culture influences behaviour in international setting where business partners have differing values, attitudes and norms.The data was collected with the aid of a research questionnaire (more then 300 respondents). The respondents were asked to answer close-ended and open-ended questions making choices among a set of alternatives focusing on their attitudes in several business situations. The data was entered into the SPSS programme and analysed using appropriate statistical methods. The findings reveal that companies seem to find it difficult to adapt their messages to suit different cultural groups but there are new approaches with promise the most success for communicating and working effectively in international business settings. Length: 9 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 1-9 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=1&rid=1739 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0901739 Classification-JEL: F69, L29, F23 Keywords: international business setting, different cultures, attitudes, behaviour, miscommunication Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0901739 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Ali Acar Author-Name-First: Ali Author-Name-Last: Acar Author-Email: alacar@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University/Turkey Title: In recent years, an analysis of Turkey's social and economic development Abstract: Recording score improvements two years in a row, Turkey has achieved its highest economic freedom score ever in the 2014 Index. Deeper institutional reform to firmly establish the rule of law and improve regulatory efficiency will be developed to solidifying its transition to a more market-based economy.Turkey - Economic forecast summary (May 2014)In 2013 the capital market orientation, although tensions up interest rates, economic growth was positive. Despite the slowdown in private demand for credit and the Economic growth was achieved in the development. Although thesometimes political tension current deficit reduction current has occurredSustaining domestic and international confidence is crucial. Monetary, fiscal and financial policies should remain prudent. Improving fiscal transparency with timely general government accounts and comprehensive reporting on the activities of quasi-fiscal institutions is recommended. Disinflation is essential to preserve the bulk of recent competitiveness gains and to allowTurkey to benefit more from the projected recovery in GLOBAL TRADE . Increasing the share of foreign direct investment inflows by improving business conditions in the formal sector would help reduce external vulnerability.Social and Economic giant projects were implemented in the area. During this period, under the sea that connects the continents of Asia and Europe, was opened 150 years Marmaray dream. Turkey had met for the first time in this period by fast train Ankara-Eski?ehir, Ankara and Konya, Eskisehir-Konya High Speed Train (YHT) line after the last month in Istanbul-Ankara line put into service. Turkey thus more a dream realized. Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir in the construction of the highway project will connect started. Erdogan, the Prime Minister will be held during the 3rd Bosphorus Bridge will be one of the world's largest international airports in Istanbul 3rd foundations were laid Airport. To allow vehicles to pass under the Bosphorus Eurasia Tunnel construction began. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 10-10 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=2&rid=2937 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902937 Classification-JEL: A13, A12 Keywords: economic development,social development ,economic Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902937 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Amin Ali Alazzam Author-Name-First: Amin Ali Author-Name-Last: Alazzam Author-Email: aminazzam34@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: Al al-Bayt University- Bayt Al-Hekmah (House of Wisdom) Title: US-Iranian Rapprochement -Motives and Implications Abstract: Since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, several attempts to improve Iranian-American relations have been made, but failed. However, the present efforts such relations, since Hassan Rouhani assumed office on August 3, 2013, appear to be far more serious. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is threefold. First, it explains the elements of rapprochement in the US-Iranian relations since Rouhani came to power in 2013. Second, it clarifies the internal, regional and international developments that have influenced and shaped the relations between the two countries. Third, it aims at discussing the implications of a U.S.-Iran rapprochement for the Middle East.The study reveals that US-Iran relations are experiencing fundamental and dramatic changes started by rounds of negotiations about the Iran's nuclear programme. As it is known in politics, there are no permanent friends or foes, only permanent interests. Accordingly, Iranian and US foreign policy has been and will continue to be based on permanent interests rather than permanent friends or foes. As a result, the study shows that there are three major factors that have shaped the course of relations between Iran and USA. The first factor is the new approach of the Iranian and US leaders which called to dialogue and openness to settle outstanding issues, ending hostilities and restoring relations on an equitable basis for mutual benefits. The second issue is geopolitics that represented by the Iraq crisis. The one common interest of the regimes in US and Iran is their need for clearing up the shambles in Iraq and to quell the al Qaeda-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and Syria sweeping northern Iraq. The last major factor related to the convergence of the American and Iranian project in managing the area and their ambitions in the Arab region, particularly after the Arab spring results. US and Iran found that Arab spring in different countries in the Middle East (such as Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Syria) has led to rise (anti Iranian and anti-American Islamists). Moreover, Arab spring has shown the limits of American and Iranian power in the Middle East, which pushed both sides to adopt a new policy toward each other to get as much of the pie as possible.Based on this study, it can be concluded that, although US and Iran are making approaches towards each other by slow steps, but their rapprochement might change the political map in the Middle East as a whole Length: 9 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 11-19 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=3&rid=2672 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902672 Classification-JEL: H73 Keywords: Rapprochement, US-Iranian relations,mutual benefits, Middle East. Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902672 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Antigoni Alexandropoulou Author-Name-First: Antigoni Author-Name-Last: Alexandropoulou Author-Email: A.Alexandropoulou@euc.ac.cy Author-Workplace-Name: EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY CYPRUS Title: Societas Unius Personae Abstract: In 9th April 2014 the European Commission has issued a proposal directive for single member limited liability companies that intend to repeal directive 2009/102/EC and to introduce a new form of company called Societas Unius Personae (SUP). The proposal directive intends to facilitate cross border activities for small and medium sized enterprises, improve the business environment and reduce the cost of doing business abroad. The new form of company will have limited liability, one shareholder, a minimum capital of one euro (or 1 unit in the national currency for countries outside the Eurozone), one share that cannot be divided, its registered seat and its real seat may be in different member states, and dividends may be distributed to the sole shareholder only after a balance sheet test and a solvency declaration signed by the management body. The registration of the SUP may be completed in its entirety electronically without the physical presence of its founder before the national registry. The proposal directive has raised criticism with respect to its legal basis. The European Commission has considered SUP to be a national and not a European company form and has therefore based its proposal to article 50 TFEU instead of article 352 as it did with its proposal for the SPE which it had to withdraw after it was opposed by certain member states and therefore could not achieve unanimity in the European Parliament. The proposal is of highly legal interest and clearly shows the new legal trends in European Company Law that is the abolishment of minimum capital in limited liability companies, the lifting of geographical barriers with the use of electronic means, the recognition of the registration seat as decisive for the law applicable to the company and the strengthening of competitiveness among the different legislations within the EU. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 20-20 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=4&rid=2714 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902714 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Societas Unius Personae, SUP, EU Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902714 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Dr. Mikail Altan Author-Name-First: Dr. Mikail Author-Name-Last: Altan Author-Email: maltan@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selçuk University ?ktisadi ve ?dari Bilimler Fakültesi Author-Name: Habib Yusufazari Author-Name-First: Habib Author-Name-Last: Yusufazari Author-Email: habib.azari@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Institute of Social Sciences Author-Name: Aykut Bedük Author-Name-First: Aykut Author-Name-Last: Bedük Author-Email: abeduk@hotmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Selçuk University ?ktisadi ve ?dari Bilimler Fakültesi Title: Performance Analysis of Banks in Turkey Using CAMEL Approach Abstract: This study attempts to extensively investigate the performance and financial soundness of state-owned and private-owned banks in community of Turkish banks for the period 2005-12. We have chosen one of the most popular methods for measuring banking performance, the CAMEL approach, which is an acronym for the terms, Capital adequacy, Asset quality, Management quality, Earnings quality and Liquidity. This approach was initially adopted by the Federal Financial Institution Examination Council on November 13th, 1979; then adopted by the National Credit Union Administration in October 1987 in the U.S.A. After selecting the model, we have chosen three State-Owned banks and twelve Private-Owned banks from the Turkish banking sector, which represent more than seventy percent of the banking system in terms of total assets. For our purpose evaluating data for eight years, these data were analyzed by calculating 23 ratios related to CAMEL Model. The results indicated that on the overall performance, in the CAMEL rating model Ziraat Bank was in top position followed by Ak Bank and Vakif Bank. Tekstil Bank had the lowest rank in most positions. It was also observed that there is a significant difference between performance of state-owned and private-owned in Turkish banking system. Length: 12 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 21-32 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=5&rid=2916 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902916 Classification-JEL: G21 Keywords: Banking, CAMEL Approach, Performance Analysis Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902916 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Serban-Oprescu Anca-Teodora Author-Name-First: Serban-Oprescu Author-Name-Last: Anca-Teodora Author-Email: teo.oprescu@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Bucharest University of Economic Studies Author-Name: Stefania-Cristina Curea Author-Name-First: Stefania-Cristina Author-Name-Last: Curea Author-Email: stefania.curea@ase.ro Author-Workplace-Name: Bucharest University of Economic Studies Title: The Role and Impact of Education on Workplace Challenges and Performance: a Romanian Perspective Abstract: ?This paper was co-financed from the European Social Fund, through the Sectorial Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007-2013, project number POSDRU/159/1.5/S/138907 "Excellence in scientific interdisciplinary research, doctoral and postdoctoral, in the economic, social and medical fields -EXCELIS", coordinator The Bucharest University of Economic Studies?. This paper provides a review of theoretical studies linking university education and developed sense of adaptability and performance in a business oriented career. The study starts with a review of field literature connecting education to career development and work insertion, details the role of education on developing workplace abilities and aptitudes and contextualizes theory into an empirical study that uses exploratory interviews with business people and students from Romania in order to highlight how education interferes and impacts workplace requirements and performance standards in the present Romanian job market. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 33-33 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=6&rid=2883 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902883 Classification-JEL: A00, I20, I21 Keywords: education, university schooling, workplace performance, selection Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902883 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Ahmet Ay Author-Name-First: Ahmet Author-Name-Last: Ay Author-Email: ahmetay@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Author-Name: Mehmet Mucuk Author-Name-First: Mehmet Author-Name-Last: Mucuk Author-Email: mehmetmucuk@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Author-Name: Mustafa Gerçeker Author-Name-First: Mustafa Author-Name-Last: Gerçeker Author-Email: mustafagerceker@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Title: Product and Country Concentration In Foreign Trade: The Case of Turkey (2003 ? 2013) Abstract: Foreign trade is playing a major role in Turkey?s economic development and prosperity. For this reason it is required to provide diversification of export products for obtaining the expected return on foreign trade. The aim of this study is to analyse the developments in Turkey?s foreign trade diversification. In this context Gini-Hirschman concentration method was made use of and concentration coefficients were calculated for import and export on the basis of both country and product making use of the concentration made. Statistical findings obtained on product basis have revealed that although diversification of products exported increased in both periods this increase did not realize at the expected rate. On the other hand, the change in the diversification of products imported is bigger than export but change occurred in the direction of decrease in diversification rather than in the direction of increase. Country based concentration decreased in terms of both export and import. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 34-34 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=7&rid=2945 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902945 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Export, Import, Concentration Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902945 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Zeki Ayag Author-Name-First: Zeki Author-Name-Last: Ayag Author-Email: zekia@khas.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Kadir Has University Title: Quality Function Deployment Approach to Evaluate Supply Chains Strategies in Turkish Automotive Industry Abstract: The main objective of this study is to analyze automotive industry, and to identify the important auto parts logistics requirements, and supply chain management (SCM) strategies. For product or service development, quality function deployment (QFD) is a useful approach to maximize customer satisfaction. The determination of the customer and logistics requirements, and supply chain management strategies are important issues during QFD processes for product or service design. For this reason, a QFD methodology is proposed in this study to determine these aspects and to improve the level of customer satisfaction. Qualitative information is converted firstly into quantitative parameters, and then this data is combined with other quantitative data to parameterize to determine appropriate supply chain management strategies. Length: 8 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 35-42 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=8&rid=2719 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902719 Classification-JEL: C44 Keywords: Quality function deployments, logistics requirements, supply chain management strategies. Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902719 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Yong-gook Bae Author-Name-First: Yong-gook Author-Name-Last: Bae Author-Email: gook@kistep.re.kr Author-Workplace-Name: Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning Author-Name: Young-Hyun Jin Author-Name-First: Young-Hyun Author-Name-Last: Jin Author-Email: yhjin@kistep.re.kr Author-Workplace-Name: Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning Title: Trends of Korean technology convergence research: the network analysis focusing on the patent co-classification in Korea and US Abstract: The technological convergence, or the technological fusion, has become more important to create new technologies as well as new industries. As increasing of importance, we reviewed the IPC co-classification and citation information of the United States and Korean patents in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Network analysis methods and indexes including as a degree centrality and a betweenness centrality are used to analyze the characteristics of the technological convergence trends.Various networks were created based upon IPC co-classification and citation information in each country and year. In addition, IPC citation was utilized information between the patents which has different IPCs. Also, in the case of Korean patents, networks were created and analyzed to find the characteristics according to the types of institution such as university, public institution and business entity. Through the analysis, it was found that the trends and the uniqueness of the convergence researches. Those results shows the differences between two countries, the differences and changes between degree centrality and betweenness centrality, the differences between co-classification and citation. Also, it was found that the change according to each years from 2009 to 2011. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 43-43 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=9&rid=2815 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902815 Classification-JEL: D85, O32, O33 Keywords: patent, convergence, technology, SNA Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902815 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Violeta Balinskaite Author-Name-First: Violeta Author-Name-Last: Balinskaite Author-Email: v.balinskaite@imperial.ac.uk Author-Workplace-Name: Imperial College London Title: Causal Framework on the Determinants of Delivery Expenditure in Emilia-Romagna region, Italy Abstract: The vast numbers of studies have been undertaken in order to detect the influence of social and biological factors on pregnancy outcome, though none of them described the causal framework of the delivery cost. The structure of the delivery expenditure can be viewed as a complex mechanism where socio-economic, environmental and biological variables enter into account. The aim of this study is to construct a conceptual framework of the determinants of delivery expenditure with highlighting the impact of maternal smoking to the cost. Analysis was based on an Italian administrative data composed from records of epidemiological, socio-demographic and organizational data. The population of interest consisted of 2381 new-borns born between January and June in 2010 in Emilia-Romagna, and those mothers indicated one of the following smoking status: stopped smoking in the last 5 years prior to pregnancy, stopped smoking at the beginning of pregnancy, continued to smoke during pregnancy. Length: 12 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 44-55 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=10&rid=2347 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902347 Classification-JEL: C19 Keywords: Maternal smoking, delivery cost, conceptual framework Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902347 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Larisa Belinskaja Author-Name-First: Larisa Author-Name-Last: Belinskaja Author-Email: larisa.belinskaja@ef.vu.lt Author-Workplace-Name: Vilnius University, Faculty of Economics Author-Name: Ugne Kisielyte Author-Name-First: Ugne Author-Name-Last: Kisielyte Author-Email: u.kisielyte@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Vilnius University, Faculty of Economics Title: Political Risk Investing in Emerging Markets versus Economic Reality Abstract: Investment risk? is always accompanied with ?return?, it is one of the most important aspects to evaluate when doing business by private firms or making new decision on overseas investments by governments. According to the report ?World Investment and political Risk? provided by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, investors keep ranking political risk as a prime obstacle for investments into developing markets (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, 2014). The term ?emerging markets? originally brought into fashion in the 1980?s by the World Bank economist Antoine van Agtmael. Emerging markets are the world?s fastest growing economies, contributing to a great deal of the world?s explosive growth of trade. By 2020, the five biggest emerging markets? share of world output will double to 16.1 percent from 7.8 percent in 1992 (Marr & Reynard, 2010). Since the year 2000 share of emerging economies in global GDP (in Purchasing Power Parity) has increased from 37 percent to 50 percent in 2013 (Boumphrey & Bevis, 2013). They are critical participants in the world?s major political, economic, and social affairs and are seeking a larger voice in international politics and a bigger slice of the global economic pie. Recently some events such as Arab Spring, a conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and protests in Brazil against corn upt spending when organizing the World Football championship have increased political risk in those markets. As a result, the issues of political risk analyzed in this article are currently relevant. The aim of the article is to research political risk and its influence on business investments in emerging markets as well as the methods to evaluate such risk precisely as much as possible. This article begins with the introduction to theories relevant for the analysis of the topic. It also presents the political risk and its influences on operations in a emerging market. Then the case study is presented with food industry is chosen for analysis and with application to Russian-Lithuanian situation after Russia has put the sanctions on import of food products (vegetables, meat, fish, milk and dairy products) from the EU member states, Australia, the US, Canada and Norway for a year. Length: 14 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 56-69 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=11&rid=2844 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902844 Classification-JEL: E22, F14, F59 Keywords: political risk, emerging markets, investment decisions, food industry Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902844 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Ömer Beyhan Author-Name-First: Ömer Author-Name-Last: Beyhan Author-Email: obeyhan@konya.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Necmettin Erbakan Üniversity Ahmet Kele?o?lu Education Faculty Title: The Effect of Game Method on Student Achievements Abstract: Game is the most natural learning tool. Game platform is the place where the child may test what he/she saw and heard, and reinforced what he/she learned. Child makes clear his/her senses by playing games, he/she improves the psychomotor skills by games. Game platform is the experiment room of a child. Such a room that, child attempts several trials there independently. He/she does, breaks, and applies different possibilities freely. In his/her small world, he/she makes the rules and changes them by himself/herself (Yörüko?lu, 1979). In this context, the effect of game method on the achievement while teaching geometry subjects of fifth class Mathematics course was analyzed. In this study, an experimental method, including pre-test and post-test control groups, was used in order to reveal student achievement of classes with and without being exposed to game method. While determining experimental and control groups, two classes out of four fifth classes were selected randomly. And 5-A class was selected as experimental group and 5-B class was selected as control group randomly. Forty one fifth grade students from two classes of Konya Hasan Ali Yücel Elementary School participated to this study during 2010-2011Spring terms. In order to analyze the data of this study, we preferred to use frequency, percentage distribution, standard deviation and t-test as statistical techniques. The data derived from the measurements was arranged by SPSS program on the computer. When we compared the significant difference between experimental and control groups, we observed that the students in the experimental group achieved pretty much than control group students. The experimental method applied in this study generated a remarkable difference in favor of the experimental group. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 70-70 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=12&rid=2179 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902179 Classification-JEL: I21 Keywords: Game method, Teaching geometry, Mathematics course, Achievement, Experimental research Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902179 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Muhammet Bezirci Author-Name-First: Muhammet Author-Name-Last: Bezirci Author-Email: mbezirci@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selçuk University Author-Name: Merve Oz Author-Name-First: Merve Author-Name-Last: Oz Author-Email: merveoz@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selçuk University Author-Name: Halenur Y?lmaz Author-Name-First: Halenur Author-Name-Last: Y?lmaz Author-Email: halenuryilmaz@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Title: The Role of Accounting practices both in Abetting and Preventing Money Laudering Abstract: As a result of globalization, the financial relationships have increased between countries, markets have became integrated, investors have an opportunity to make profitable investments which will bring highest return wherever they want and also internet banking and electronic banking transactions have increased thanks to advanced technology and all these developments have accelerated money circulation, intrinsically these developments have been seen as positive but besides these developments, globalization has brought some costs like fraud, corruption, caused diffusion of crimes. In this respect money laundering is one these crimes and when it is described, dirty or black money which is derived from illegal activities after that this black money is tried to be appeared as legal money that is called as money laundering, so both the way of getting and legalizing this money constitutes a crime. Negative effect of money laundering can be examined within 4 topics; economic, moral, social and legal, and threats economic integrity, stability, reliability, and judicial order. Thus both developing and developed countries must seriously combat with this crime and find what the main reasons that facilitate realizing money laundering are and how it can be prevented.In this paper it is evaluated that the role of accountants and accounting practices abetting to money laundering, and how people use accountants while realizing this victimless crime and also what can be done to prevent money laundering with the help of accounting practices and how accounting practices can prevent money laundering. Length: 20 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 71-90 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=13&rid=2955 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902955 Classification-JEL: M41, M42, M48 Keywords: Money Laundering, Black Money, Dirty Money, Anti-Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902955 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Irina Bilan Author-Name-First: Irina Author-Name-Last: Bilan Author-Email: irina.bilan@uaic.ro Author-Workplace-Name: \ Author-Name: Iulian Ihnatov Author-Name-First: Iulian Author-Name-Last: Ihnatov Author-Email: iulian.ihnatov@uaic.ro Author-Workplace-Name: \ Title: Public Debt and Economic Growth: A Two-Sided Story Abstract: The recent European sovereign debt crisis proved public debt issues should not be easily approached. While, prior to the crisis, public debt was of little concern in most of the developed European countries, as there had been no recent episodes of sovereign default, the crisis revived longtime forgotten memories. It once again proved that, although at different debt levels, just like the developing countries the developed ones should fear high public debts and that public debt is almost always a two-sided story: although public indebtedness can promote economic growth, especially when debt resources are used for financing public investment expenditure, when the debt is very high it can negatively affect economic growth.Against this background, in this paper we aim to study the relationship between public debt and economic growth for a panel of 33 European countries (28 European Union Member States and 5 candidate countries to European accession) over the period 1990-2011. More specifically, we investigate if there is evidence of a non-linear (quadratic) relationship, both for the entire European countries group and for the developed and developing countries subgroups. The main sources of data are World Bank?s World Development Indicators and International Monetary Fund?s World Economic Outlook and Historical Public Debt datasets.The results of our study confirm the existence of a ?U inverted? relationship, with a maximum debt threshold of about 94% of GDP. After this threshold public debt is expected to negatively affect the economic growth rate, due to higher interest rates, fear of public debt unsustainability and severe budgetary consolidation measures. However, this threshold is found to be more than twice lower in developing European countries compared to the developed ones, as the former enjoy lower credibility, higher vulnerability to shocks and depend more on external capital transfers. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 91-91 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=14&rid=2980 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902980 Classification-JEL: H63, E60, O40 Keywords: public debt, economic growth, public policy, developed European countries, developing European countries Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902980 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Fatiha Bousbahi Author-Name-First: Fatiha Author-Name-Last: Bousbahi Author-Email: fbousbahi@ksu.edu.sa Author-Workplace-Name: IT Department, CCIS, King Saud University Title: Use of i-clickers to enhance learning outcomes assessment in classroom: A Case Study in King Saud University Abstract: Educators in King Saud University understand that helping students learn is a continual process, requiring a commitment to assessment and evaluation. Nowadays, formative assessment is a crucial component of teaching and learning. Hence, teachers are in need of tools to assess students? understanding and skills into classroom to improve students? academic achievement. i- clickers are simple technology allowing formative assessments due to the immediate information received by the teacher concerning the students? mastery of a given concept. Thus teachers can adjust their teaching methods accordingly on time. This paper reports an experience conducted in the Department of Information Technology (IT) in King Saud University (KSU). i-clickers served as an assessment tool of Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) in classroom. Findings revealed that firstly students were much better in performing course projects and secondly teacher was able to improve her course strategies more efficiently and identify students difficulties on time. Length: 7 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 92-98 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=15&rid=2993 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902993 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Formative Assessment; Course Learning Outcomes; Student; i-clicker; Feedback. Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902993 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Yunus Ceran Author-Name-First: Yunus Author-Name-Last: Ceran Author-Email: yunusceran@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Author-Name: Gamze ?ekero?lu Author-Name-First: Gamze Author-Name-Last: ?ekero?lu Author-Email: gmztrmn@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Author-Name: Merve Öz Author-Name-First: Merve Author-Name-Last: Öz Author-Email: merveoz@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Title: Stock Financing as an Alternative Financing Technique and its Applicability in Turkey Abstract: Banks are important institutions that finance economies by collecting deposits and lending those deposits as creditors. Today, most of the businesses that need funding sources primarily apply to the banks for receiving loan. Loans provided by banks are classified according to the nature of the loans and the cost of each varies according to their attributes. The important thing is for businesses using the most appropriate loan with the least cost.The concept of ?stock financing? which is often heard recently emerges as an alternative financing technique. Here the main aim is minimizing the cost of seeking new funds and trying to find new funds at the financial value of current inventories of business. In this respect in the study the applicability of stock financing techniques, appearing very attractive for business, in Turkey are discussed. Length: 6 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 99-104 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=16&rid=2954 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902954 Classification-JEL: G21, G32 Keywords: Inventory Management, Stock Financing, Banking, Loan Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902954 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: E. Tylor Claggett Author-Name-First: E. Tylor Author-Name-Last: Claggett Author-Email: etclaggett@salisbury.edu Author-Workplace-Name: Salisbury University Title: A Tutorial on Bonds, Yield Curves and Duration Abstract: This paper develops and refines a quick method for analyzing bond yields until maturity given their market price. It briefly discusses bond ratings and defines yield curves and examines their characteristics, uses and how information can be derived about the market sentiment by their analysis and study. Next, the paper introduces duration as an ?elasticity? that measures a fixed income instrument?s sensitivity to the interest rate changes. Finally, the article demonstrates how the concepts associated with duration can be used to reduce or eliminate a interest rate risk as it pertains to financial assets and the investment portfolios (i.e. immunization). Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 105-105 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=17&rid=2889 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902889 Classification-JEL: G00, G19, A20 Keywords: bonds, yield curves, duration Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902889 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Peter Csanyi Author-Name-First: Peter Author-Name-Last: Csanyi Author-Email: peter.csanyi@tnuni.sk Author-Workplace-Name: Alexander Dubcek University of Trencin Title: Theories of Political Arrangements of Central Europe after World War I Abstract: The goal of this paper is to describe and analyze the theories of political organization of Central Europe during the interwar period, especially from the Czechoslovak perspectives. Some connections between the European integration process, and a national and a civil identity are outlined, in particular the problems of the Central European national states in the process of the European integration. The discourse on the Central Europe is one of the most difficult, because it has many aspects: political, cultural, philosophical, historical, religious, ethnic, psychological and economic.Small states, such as the interwar Czechoslovak Republic was, depend on their surroundings. They do not have enough power to enforce a balance of power favorable to themselves. If they originated as an expression of a temporary state of the balance of power, they are condemned to dissolution. Some representatives of the Czech and Slovak nations attempted to understand and confront these realities with a practical policy. I guess that if we want to understand these theorists and politicians, it will be important to know and understand the view of Central Europe, which they represent.The most of the integration projects of 1920s and 1930s reflect the fear of economic and political strengthening of Germany, optimistic hope of democratization of the USSR, and seeking for allies in the Central European region. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 106-106 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=18&rid=2984 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902984 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Central Europe, political organization, theories, Czechoslovak perspectives, nation Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902984 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Denis De Castro Halis Author-Name-First: Denis Author-Name-Last: De Castro Halis Author-Email: denishalis@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Law, University of Macau Title: Transforming the Legal Profession Through the Use of Technology in Courts: The Case of Brazil Abstract: New Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have the potential of creating a revolution in the classical ways of administering judicial systems and providing judicial output to legal disputes. This potential, however, no longer needs to be only imagined. The Brazilian judiciary has started a pioneering ? but still relatively silent and unknown - radical change in the way that lawyers, judges, and parties relate with each other and with the judicial bureaucracy. Part of the Brazilian legal scene is currently marked by emerging new theories, models of logic, software, and technologies which are being implemented in an attempt to reduce the time for the judiciary response to disputes and to eliminate its serious ?clogs?. With millions of lawsuits in the various sections of the judiciary, the country is trying to streamline the judicial decision-making process and output of its courts at all levels. This interdisciplinary investigation proposes to describe and analyze the most important technical innovations that have been revolutionizing the way that judges, lawyers, and litigants act in the Brazilian context. The investigation is based on the analysis of the Brazilian courts websites, on direct interviews with legal professionals, and on reports published in the periodicals of the associations of legal professionals. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 107-107 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=19&rid=2782 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902782 Classification-JEL: K40, K41, K42 Keywords: Legal Professions, Judges and Courts, New Technologies, Judicial Decision Making, Brazil Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902782 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Iris Dhamo Author-Name-First: Iris Author-Name-Last: Dhamo Author-Email: irisdhamo@libero.it Author-Workplace-Name: European University of Tirana Author-Name: Ana Dhamo Author-Name-First: Ana Author-Name-Last: Dhamo Author-Email: anadhamo@libero.it Author-Workplace-Name: European University of Tirana Title: Visa liberalisation in the Republic of Albania Abstract: The visa liberalization concerns the right to freedom of movement is accomplished through the area of freedom, security and justice without internal frontiers. The abolition of the visa regime has made it possible for many Albanian citizens to bring down the enormous burocratic and discriminatory barrier that separated them from other Europeans. First we want to deal with the history and evolution, together with the development of the idea of freedom of movement. Secondly, we have analyzed the meaning of the abolition of the visa regime in Albania and the changes made by the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009. Finally, we examined the possibility that the abolition of the visa regime involves a step forward in the process of European integration of Albania. The road to European integration of our country, Albania, is very long, but achieving the goal of being able to travel freely in the Schengen countries should not be a point of arrival but must be regarded as the beginning of a path inside a tunnel where we can see, even if from a distance, the light. Length: 7 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 108-114 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=20&rid=3015 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0903015 Classification-JEL: F22 Keywords: visa liberalisation, concept, history, Albania, international law, ue Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0903015 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Tariq Elyas Author-Name-First: Tariq Author-Name-Last: Elyas Author-Email: telyas@kau.edu.sa Author-Workplace-Name: King Abdulaziz University Title: The Representation of Arabic Culture in TESOL/TEIL Abstract: This article reports on a mixed-method research into cultural representation of Islam in an English language textbook series being used at a Saudi Arabian university. The current study utilized Ideology Critique Methodology and was framed within the Critical Research Paradigm. The research used a structured questionnaire, followed by open-ended questions administered to 30 purposefully chosen language teachers. The study attempted to ascertain, in the light of Muslim teachers? perceptions, the representation of Islamic (and Saudi) culture, the extent of an international cultural outlook, and presence of any culturally inappropriate or offensive material in the contents of a most popular English language textbook series. The study also evaluated the pedagogical benefits of employing learners? culture (source culture) in the light of Schema Theory of learning. The study endorsed the idea of appropriation of English according to variable contexts and opposed predominance of western culture in TEIL at the expense of local cultures. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 115-115 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=21&rid=1120 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0901120 Classification-JEL: I23 Keywords: EIL; Intercultural communication; Islamic culture; Saudi Culture; Schema theory; TESOL Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0901120 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Jure Erjavec Author-Name-First: Jure Author-Name-Last: Erjavec Author-Email: jure.erjavec@ef.uni-lj.si Author-Workplace-Name: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Economics Title: The Impact of Different Types of External Lecturers in Higher Education on Student Learning Outcomes Abstract: Universities often need outside assistance when teaching large classes. This is in the form of teaching assistants coming from the senior or graduate students, and professionals working part time at the university. This study addresses the issue of student outcomes in regard to the type and the number of the lecturers. The study includes 1343 students that attended the same course during three consecutive years. Half of the entire course was taught by different lecturers: undergraduate teaching assistants, graduate teaching assistants, professional experts and internal faculty staff. The student outcomes are measured by different criteria. The results of the research show that there is a statistically significant difference between student outcomes in regard to the number and type of lecturers. Length: 6 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 116-121 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=22&rid=2864 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902864 Classification-JEL: I29 Keywords: lecturer type, number of lecturers, higher education, cost optimization, independent-samples t-test, one-way ANOVA Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902864 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Mohamed Abdelnaby Elsayed Ghanem Author-Name-First: Mohamed Abdelnaby Elsayed Author-Name-Last: Ghanem Author-Email: mohd_gh_6@hotmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Law, Tanta University, Egypt Title: The Criticism Directed to the Case Preparation Panel in Economic Courts in Egypt Abstract: Law and economy are firmly connected. Adding to that the economic life has an effect on the judicial thinking. So, rules of law should characterized the care of existed economic attitude in the state in a way that law seems to be a mirror in which the existed economic attitudes in most branches of law are reflected even if they are not of direct shape. judiciary may be an attracting factor for investment through understanding and the speed of settling the disputes achieving quick justice. On the other hand, it may be a factor of dispelling of investment and development via prolonging the period of litigation and being not aware of the nature of such disputes.So, Egyptian legislator created special Economic Courts to deal with economic disputes, and to avoid its negative effects, by Law No. 120 of 2008. Which decide that this kind of litigation can be solved by judges specialized in this kind of litigation, to encourage investment, and to provide maximum protection for economic activity and help develop the plans and ensure justice. But, There are some Criticism Directed to the Case Preparation Panel in Economic Courts in Egypt. So, I will discuss it in my paper. Length: 20 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 122-141 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=23&rid=2780 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902780 Classification-JEL: K00, K40, K41 Keywords: Law, Economy, Economic Courts, Egypt, Slow Pace of Litigation, Crisis of Justice, Law No. 120 of 2008 Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902780 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Mehmet Gokus Author-Name-First: Mehmet Author-Name-Last: Gokus Author-Email: mgokus@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: SELÇUK UNIVERSITY Author-Name: Ahmet Ay Author-Name-First: Ahmet Author-Name-Last: Ay Author-Email: ahmetay@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: SELÇUK UNIVERSITY Author-Name: Hakan Alpturker Author-Name-First: Hakan Author-Name-Last: Alpturker Author-Email: hakan_alpturker@hotmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: NEV?EH?R UNIVERS?TY Title: Evaluation of Officer Behaviour by Citizens in the Delivery of Public Service Abstract: With each passing day, the importance of citizen satisfaction with the public service is increasing. As a result, citizen-oriented management approach has emerged. In this respect, citizen satisfaction depends on the positive reviews of citizens about public services s/he benefit. Today?s governments make some arrangements to increase the quality of public services. Thanks to these arrangements the satisfaction of citizens with the public services is trying to be provided. A remarkable situation in these arrangements is that, as well as service quality in the delivery of public service, relations arising between officers delivering public service and citizens also directly affect citizen satisfaction with public services. While positive behaviours of officers increase the satisfaction level of citizens with public services, negative behaviours can lead to negative evaluation of public services by citizens and thus considering them as of poor quality and dissatisfaction with public services.In this study, it is tried to be analysed with a survey study how 848 citizens over the age of 18 living within the service limits of Nev?ehir municipality evaluate the behaviours of officers delivering public services. Also in this study, whether there is a relationship between demographic features of citizens and their evaluation of the behaviours of officers is investigated, and responses to various hypotheses have been sought in this regard Length: 14 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 142-155 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=24&rid=2939 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902939 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Public Service, Citizen, Officer Behaviour Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902939 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Monika Harantova Author-Name-First: Monika Author-Name-Last: Harantova Author-Email: xharm16@fm.vse.cz Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Management, University of Economics, Prague Author-Name: Petr Svoboda Author-Name-First: Petr Author-Name-Last: Svoboda Author-Email: xsvop30@fm.vse.cz Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Management, University of Economics, Prague Title: The Main Factors for Strategic Building of the Brand Value and Methods for Brand Valuation at the Czech Republic Market Abstract: Currently there is a variety of approaches dealing with a brand or trademark valuation. The International Valuation Standards (IVS) and the Valuation under Act No. 151/1997 Coll. on property valuation in relation to trademarks in the territory of Czech Republic can be classified among them. The main goal of this paper is to determine the factors which participate most in strategic building of brand value. These factors could be used as a basis for the proposal of a new method for the valuation trademarks in the Czech Republic. So far, these methods have taken into account only the financial aspects (economic profit, return of investment). The other factors which create a brand value (brand awareness, brand loyalty, emotional association) have not been implemented yet. For this reason, the methodology of International Valuation Rankings, which takes into account valuation based on other previously mentioned components, is also analysed in the article. Length: 9 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 156-164 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=25&rid=2940 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902940 Classification-JEL: M31 Keywords: Brand, Brand management, Brand value, Brand equity, Brand attitude, Methods for brand valuation, International valuation standards Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902940 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Remus Ion Hornoiu Author-Name-First: Remus Ion Author-Name-Last: Hornoiu Author-Email: rhornoiu@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania Title: Climate change impacts and implications for tourism in protected areas Abstract: Tourism, as a distinct field of activity, is strongly linked to climate change: in a positive way - by providing the necessary resources and factors to reduce the action of climate change through the use of alternative energy technologies with low environmental impact, and the controlled development of tourist flows ? and a negative one ? through energy consumption, visitors transportation, the quantities of waste. Among the solutions mentioned, the present research has focused on protected areas since the argument was less debated in the scientific literature, but also in business practice. As the main service providers regarding ecosystems and biological resources, protected areas meet the requirements to preserve species worldwide and are vulnerable to climate change. Tourism in protected may became a tourist travel motive more prominent in the future as the natural environment and the species from protected areas are threatened by climate change. Therefore, the paper explains different climate change impacts and implications for tourism in protected areas. The research field proposed aimed to assess the direct and indirect impact of climate changes for tourism in protected areas. The objectives were related to: determine the level of importance of different modifications in the structure of the major components of tourism in protected area under the direct climate change impact; indicate the importance level of changes in natural characteristics of environments which could influence negative tourism by reducing the perceived attractiveness of a protected area, under indirect climate change impact; highlight the importance level of modifications, induced by indirect climate change impact, in socioeconomic environment of local communities in protected areas which could affect tourism. Based on the research findings were elaborated proposals for an appropriate strategy in the field of climate change mitigation . This work was supported by the project ?Excellence academic routes in the doctoral and postdoctoral research ? READ? co-funded from the European Social Fund through the Development of Human Resources Operational Programme 2007-2013, contract no. POSDRU/159/1.5/S/137926. Length: 8 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 165-172 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=26&rid=2878 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902878 Classification-JEL: Q26, Q56, L83 Keywords: tourism; protected areas; climate change; impact Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902878 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Shahariar Huda Author-Name-First: Shahariar Author-Name-Last: Huda Author-Email: shahariarhuda@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: KUWAIT UNIVERSITY Title: A comparative study between observation- and parameter-driven zero-in ated Poisson model for longitudinal children hospital visit data Abstract: Longitudinal count data with excessive zeros frequently occurs in social, biological, medical and health research. To model zero-inflated longitudinal count data, in literature, zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) models are commonly used after separating zero and positive responses. As longitudinal count responses are likely to be serially correlated, such separation may destroy the underlying serial correlation structure. To overcome this problem recently observation- and parameter-driven modelling approaches are proposed to model zero-inflated longitudinal count responses. In the observation-driven model, the response at a specific time point is modelled through the responses at previous times points after incorporating serial correlation into account. One limitation of the observation-driven model is that it fails to accommodate the presence of any possible over dispersion, which commonly occur in the count responses. To overcome this limitation, we introduce a parameter-driven model, where the serial correlation has been captured through the latent precess using random effects and compare the results with observation-driven model. A quasi-likelihood approach has been developed to estimate the model parameters. We illustrate the methodology with analysis of two real life data sets. To examine model performance we also compare the proposed model with the observation-driven ZIP model through the simulation study. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 173-173 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=27&rid=2796 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902796 Classification-JEL: C10 Keywords: Serial correlation. Compound Poisson. ZIP models. Quasi-likelihood. Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902796 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Hisham Ibrahim Author-Name-First: Hisham Author-Name-Last: Ibrahim Author-Email: hisham_aam@aast.edu Author-Workplace-Name: Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AAST) Author-Name: Alfredo Moscardini Author-Name-First: Alfredo Author-Name-Last: Moscardini Author-Email: amoscardini@cardiffmet.ac.uk Author-Workplace-Name: Cardiff Metropolitan University Author-Name: Aiman Ragab Author-Name-First: Aiman Author-Name-Last: Ragab Author-Email: aaragab@aast.edu Author-Workplace-Name: Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AAST) Title: Toward a Viable Integrated Marketing Communications in Egypt Abstract: The concept of Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) has received significant coverage in literature. However, there is a problem in translating this concept into reality due to the difficulties of coordinating all communication tools in one program. The advances in communication technology threatens advertising agencies working in the Egyptian market, as the future of communications tends to be specialized and the need for coordination between communication agencies became essential. Thus there is a need for a new organisational structure for agencies that reflects these changes, This paper proposes the viable system model (VSM) developed by Stafford Beer as such a structure. The VSM will help organisations discover and solve their problems to remain viable and successful in the future, It also provides a framework for better coordination between communication agencies to maintain successful IMC campaigns. Length: 25 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 174-198 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=28&rid=3026 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0903026 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Integrated Marketing Communications, Viable System Model, Egyptian Communication Market. Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0903026 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Jana Juriová Author-Name-First: Jana Author-Name-Last: Juriová Author-Email: jana.juriova@vsb.cz Author-Workplace-Name: V?B - Technical University of Ostrava Title: The role of foreign sentiment in small open economy Abstract: The role of foreign sentiment is researched for explaining macroeconomic fluctuations in small open economy. The main goal is to find out whether the domestic variables react significantly to the shocks in the foreign sentiment. For this purpose a structural vector autoregression model is constructed for the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic including relations between foreign environment and domestic variables. Both small open economies considered are highly dependent on foreign demand from euro area. Therefore the foreign development is represented by real GDP in euro area and alternatively is explored the possibility to replace foreign real GDP by economic sentiment indicator of euro area as sentiment indicators are available in advance. The impact of foreign shocks is examined by impulse response functions on the following domestic variables ? real gross domestic product, consumer prices and effective exchange rate against euro area trading partners. The study confirms that foreign economic sentiment can be used for explaining fluctuations of domestic variables of a small open economy. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 199-199 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=29&rid=2838 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902838 Classification-JEL: C51, E32 Keywords: economic sentiment indicator, structural vector autoregression, variance decomposition, impulse response functions Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902838 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Bozena Kaderabkova Author-Name-First: Bozena Author-Name-Last: Kaderabkova Author-Email: b.kaderabkova@centrum.cz Author-Workplace-Name: University of Economics, Economic Faculty Author-Name: Klara Cermakova Author-Name-First: Klara Author-Name-Last: Cermakova Author-Email: klara.cermakova@vse.cz Author-Workplace-Name: University of Economics, Economic Faculty Author-Name: Robert Holman Author-Name-First: Robert Author-Name-Last: Holman Author-Email: robertholman@seznam.cz Author-Workplace-Name: University of Economics, Economic Faculty Title: The role of soft factors on economic growth Abstract: Former growth theories did not give a satisfactory answer to stimuli of economic growth and possibilities of sustainable growth. An important contribution to the economic growth theories was given by research in institutional economics. Today formal and informal institutions such as rule of law, habits, religion or corruption, are considered by many authors very significant for economic growth. This paper is based on findings of The Heritage Foundation and on Economic freedom index, which identifies four groups of institutional factors Rule of law (Property rights, Freedom from corruption), Limited government (Government spending, Fiscal freedom), Regulatory efficiency ( Business freedom, Labor freedom, Monetary freedom), Open markets( Ttrade freedom, Financial freedom, Investment freedom). This study is focused on the relationship between religion and economic growth. The impact of different religions is measured by regression and correlation analysis within each of the four groups. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 200-200 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=30&rid=2979 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902979 Classification-JEL: E02, O43 Keywords: economic growth, institutions, formal and informal factors of economic growth Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902979 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Kür?at Kan Author-Name-First: Kür?at Author-Name-Last: Kan Author-Email: kursatkan@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Author-Name: Engin K?l?çarslan Author-Name-First: Engin Author-Name-Last: K?l?çarslan Author-Email: enginkarslan@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Author-Name: Arif Behiç Özcan Author-Name-First: Arif Behiç Author-Name-Last: Özcan Author-Email: abozcan@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Title: Turkey-United States Relations in the Axis of New Middle East Abstract: After the end of the cold war, the international system and security parameters in the region where Turkey is located have changed and bipolar system and security policy based on east and west axis have become dysfunctional. Turkey had some difficulty to integrate itself into the new international system after Cold War era. It has needed to redefine and adapt its former international policy as a result of some crisis especially after 2000s. Moreover, it has had to exercise a more active and flexible foreign policy due to its improving economic potential and democracy. In this new international policy period, political leadership and national politics have played an essential role. Its former international policy, which involved soft power and having no problems with her neighbors, was considered utopic and romantic by some and functional by some others. However, this policy has become dysfunctional due to some regional and national crisis after 2000s.This study involves Turkish and American relations, Turkey?s approach to regional problems and how Turkey?s relation to America is perceived by the countries in the region. The study discusses the new dynamic policy exercised by Turkey, which used to exercise a static foreign policy in an extremely dynamic region, and effects of this new foreign policy on its relations to USA, which has been exercising a dynamic foreign policy in the region since World War II. Turkish Israeli relations with reference to Middle East peace process, Erdogan?s Davos outburst, Israel?s attack on Gaza Freedom Flotilla; aftermath of Turkey?s policy with Iran related to Nuclear Exchange and UN?s sanctions in USA and Middle East; the emergence of IS (The Islamic State) and problems as a result of its emergence are the focal points of the study. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 201-201 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=31&rid=2901 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902901 Classification-JEL: F50 Keywords: Turkey, USA, Middle East, Turkish foreign policy, Turkey-United States relations Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902901 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Judit Kapas Author-Name-First: Judit Author-Name-Last: Kapas Author-Email: judit.kapas@econ.unideb.hu Author-Workplace-Name: University of Debrecen Title: How culture matters: The impact of individual values on development Abstract: Recently, the view that culture matters for economic development has gained much ground within institutional economics; scholars have provided us with empirical evidence on the positive effect of culture on economic performance. This evidence shows, in some cases, the overwhelming effect of culture vis-ŕ-vis that of formal institutions (Williamson 2009). In these investigations, culture is generally measured by the subjective evaluation of those answering the question ?Do you think that most people can be trusted?? in the World Values Survey. However, whether an answer to this question really refers to culture has recently been doubted by a growing number of scholars, a problem which goes back to a somewhat ambiguous definition of culture. Another problematic issue here is that these empirical investigations do not rely on an economic theory concerning the effects of culture on economic performance, at least when it comes to the mechanisms through which culture may effect development.One way to overcome these shortcomings ? more importantly the ?black box? view of culture ? is to move from general statements about culture to a narrower, and consequently more reliable dimension of culture. My argument is that Schwartz?s (2006) theory of cultural value orientations developed in cross-cultural psychology can be fruitfully used for two reasons. First, this theory relies on a priori theorizing about three basic issues that all societies confront, rather than post hoc examination of data. Secondly, it captures only one, but an unambiguous, aspect of culture: individual values.So, in this paper I argue that an analysis of individual values on economic development contributes to a clarification of the effects of culture by ?unbundling? culture itself. Using individual values allows me to rely on theories of institutional economics ? namely Williamson?s (2000) theory about the levels of institutions and of Boettke et al?s (2008) theory on institutional stickiness ? to make hypotheses about their effects on development, and then empirically investigate them. The cross-country empirical investigation using the Schwartz Values Survey data on individual values provides evidence for the main hypothesis: individual values have no effect on development after controlling for formal institutions, and this result is different from the effect of the culture index derived from the World Values Survey and that of Hofstede?s ?individualism?, and is very robust. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 202-202 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=32&rid=2093 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902093 Classification-JEL: E02, O10 Keywords: culture, economic development, institutions, individual values Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902093 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Engin K?l?çarslan Author-Name-First: Engin Author-Name-Last: K?l?çarslan Author-Email: enginkarslan@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Author-Name: Arif Behiç Özcan Author-Name-First: Arif Behiç Author-Name-Last: Özcan Author-Email: abozcan@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Author-Name: Kür?at Kan Author-Name-First: Kür?at Author-Name-Last: Kan Author-Email: kursatkan@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Title: The Ongoing Stagnation in EU-Turkey Relations Abstract: Since its inception in 1923, Turkey?s foreign policy has been characterised by a number of divergent orientations. Western orientation however, especially following the Second World War, has been a primary foreign policy priority for Turkey. Particularly, European Union (then EEC) membership has been at the very core of this priority. Despite no major change in this attitude over the years, some concerns have been raised that Turkey has begun to change its foreign policy in the last decade. Turkey has been charged with ?Axis Shift?, which means that it has shifted its foreign policy towards the East from the West.However, this might not be the case in the context of EU-Turkey relations. Both parts have strong political and economic ties with each other. Turkey has become a candidate country for EU membership at the Helsinki European Council in 1999. Throughout the early 2000s, many large-scale democratic reforms were launched to meet the requirements of the EU membership and the accession negotiations started in 2005. Nonetheless, today it has to be admitted that the pace of the accession talks has been slower than even expected. As of October 2014, just 14 (over 35) negotiation chapters have been opened so far in the accession process and only one of them was closed provisionally.After making a brief evaluation of the current status of the negotiations, this study will try to examine the reasons behind the loss of motivation of both sides towards the Turkey?s EU bid. The major changes on the parties? attitude, legal obstacles to Turkey?s accession and some expectations for the future of the relations will also be discussed. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 203-203 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=33&rid=2902 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902902 Classification-JEL: F50 Keywords: Turkey, European Union, EU membership, negotiations Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902902 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Youngju Kim Author-Name-First: Youngju Author-Name-Last: Kim Author-Email: sunnybead@hanmail.net Author-Workplace-Name: National Disaster Management Institute Title: A Social Network Analysis of Conflict Structure after Great Disaster: A Case Study of Mt. Umyeon Landslide in South Korea Abstract: Social Network Analysis (SNA) has emerged as a major technique in the field of conflict resolution and disaster management over the last decade, and efforts are made to manage the conflicts that arise from great disasters. This study explores key actors that can be local or central governments or professionals, as well as their roles in successful conflict resolution in the context of disaster using SNA. A snowball sampling technique is employed and the stakeholders of the ongoing Mt. Umyeon landslide conflict in Seoul, South Korea are recruited for face-to-face interviews and surveys. This research is comprised of two parts; one is conflict assessment, which includes identifying stakeholders and recognizing conflict issues. The other is analysis of two conflict structures, among stakeholders and among conflict issues. Specifically, the conflict structures are analyzed by measuring density, centrality, cliques, and structural equivalence using NetMiner 4- an analytical tool recently developed in Korea. Finally, with the results from the analyses, the author presents five strategies and the roles to be played by key actors for successful conflict resolution of the Mt. Umyeon landslide case. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 204-204 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=34&rid=2831 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902831 Classification-JEL: L38 Keywords: Disaster Management, Conflict Resolution, Conflict Analysis, Social Network Analysis Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902831 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Young-Han Kim Author-Name-First: Young-Han Author-Name-Last: Kim Author-Email: kimyh@skku.edu Author-Workplace-Name: Sungkyunkwan University Author-Name: Hye-Young Lee Author-Name-First: Hye-Young Author-Name-Last: Lee Author-Email: hll14360@naver.com Author-Workplace-Name: Sungkyunkwan University Title: The Impact of Political Economic Sensitivities on Trade Regimes among Politically Asymmetric Countries Abstract: This paper examines the impact of political economic sensitivities of the trade regime among politically asymmetric countries. Our concerns focus on the effects of firm?s lobbying activity in each country, not only tariff setting, but also on the trade regime's decision, especially considering the countries? asymmetries in political economic sensitivities. We derive the following conclusion from our oligopolistic political economy model. If the country has a greater political bias, then the domestic government prefers to participate in unilateral trade regime or bilateral trade regimes. However, if the country?s political factor is insignificant, then the government prefers to carry out complete free trade. These results imply that Korea-China-Japan FTA negotiation could be accelerated when three countries? political sensitivities are larger. Moreover, China, which has the greatest political sensitivity, would be more likely to participate in Korea-China-Japan FTA. We find that the sharp contrast between these results and the previous literature stems mainly from the asymmetries of political economic sensitivities when domestic governments determine the political tariff and trade regime. Length: 14 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 205-218 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=35&rid=2859 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902859 Classification-JEL: F12, F13, F15 Keywords: Political Economic Sensitivities; Trade Regime; Lobbying; Strategic Trade Policy Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902859 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Miroslav Klucik Author-Name-First: Miroslav Author-Name-Last: Klucik Author-Email: miroslav.klucik@vsb.cz Author-Workplace-Name: VSB ? Technical University Ostrava, Faculty of Economics Title: Interest Rate Expectations in a Model Using Leading Indicators Abstract: The basic assumption on which leading indicators are built is the common movement of macroeconomic variables representing the aggregate business cycle, giving information on turning points for different macroeconomic variables over time. Indicators passing through the turning points with few months lead prior to aggregate macroeconomic variables are thus used as a prognostic tool. Basic principles of the lead can be supported by a simple model of short-term equilibrium of a representative firm in a dynamic environment according to decisions about production depending on expectations. The model incorporates the formation of expectations in a market environment by propagation of sentiment between heterogeneous agents with limited rationality. When incorporating expectations about the real interest rate, seen as a so-called prime mover according to the OECD classification of leading indicators, it is possible to track the impact of signals of monetary policy authorities on propagation of waves of optimism and pessimism on the market. The monetary policy authority may cause herd behaviour, while the more far the expectations are set from the actual policy applied, the more difficulties experience firms when returning to the equilibrium. The sentiment simulations imply the use of the model for business cycle short-term forecasting by using alternative assumptions about future expectations of firms. This way new foundation are set for a different type of model using leading indicators meeting the criticism of measurement without theory by Koopmans from 1947, and for using the model to assess the impact of economic policies. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 219-219 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=36&rid=2863 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902863 Classification-JEL: E32, D21, D84 Keywords: leading indicators, heterogenous agents, expectations, monetary policy Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902863 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Hanna Kociemska Author-Name-First: Hanna Author-Name-Last: Kociemska Author-Email: hanna.kociemska@ue.wroc.pl Author-Workplace-Name: University of Economics Title: Human capital as one of the drivers of reliable value of medical entities using the example of Poland ? implications for global medical market participants Abstract: This paper constitutes a contribution to a new discussion on the adequacy of existing company valuation methods with regard to the specific nature of medical entities in Poland. The author points out the shortcomings of existing theories. She calls for taking into account the quality of the activities performed by medical companies in the methodology used for their valuation. She also points to human capital at hospital as to one of the key indicators of quality of their activity, translating into the value the entity has for its owner. The author uses the method of analysis of the extensive research literature, expert interview method in the formula brain storm and prognostic method. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 220-220 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=37&rid=2673 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902673 Classification-JEL: A10 Keywords: human capital, value of medical entity, medical market, hospital's owners Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902673 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Katarína Kramárová Author-Name-First: Katarína Author-Name-Last: Kramárová Author-Email: katarina.kramarova@fpedas.uniza.sk Author-Workplace-Name: University of Zilina in Zilina, Faculty of operation and economics of transport and communications, Department of economics Author-Name: Margaréta Nadányiová Author-Name-First: Margaréta Author-Name-Last: Nadányiová Author-Email: margareta.nadanyiova@fpedas.uniza.sk Author-Workplace-Name: University of Zilina in Zilina, Faculty of operation and economics of transport and communications, Department of economics Author-Name: Eva Kicova Author-Name-First: Eva Author-Name-Last: Kicova Author-Email: eva.kicova@fpedas.uniza.sk Author-Workplace-Name: University of Zilina in Zilina, Faculty of operation and economics of transport and communications, Department of economics Title: The Cluster Initiatives Abstract: The development of the national economy of any country is (besides others) highly addicted to the economic success of its business entities. However, due to the process of trade globalization and market liberalization, the business environment has become more competitive that requires companies to build up own competitiveness not only in the domestic, but as well in the international measure. If we take into account the fact that approximately 99% of Slovak businesses are formed by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), next that our economy has character of opened one (in the meaning of export and import transaction), to compete with rival multinational companies is a question of their daily survival. The way how to support the development and competitiveness of such kind companies (that the practice has proved as well), consequently the regional and national economic development, the concept of business clusters is considered. ?Business clusters are a striking and common feature in today´s economy, nonetheless it is not exactly a new phenomenon ? it has been the object of attention from a wide variety of social scientists? (Kuah, 2002, p. 207), economists and practitioners for much of this century. Currently, in broader sense of word, we may talk about the clustering of different economic activities ? about the close cooperation between cluster members (constituents) such as different kinds of entrepreneurs of different size and business history, universities, independent research institutions, trade associations, and government and its institutions. The role of business clusters has become increasingly important for the Slovak economy, too.The presented paper deals with the concept of business clusters. Briefly, at first its theoretical aspects are discussed (mainly from the point of view of its ability to support building competitive advantages for businesses and regional/national economy). Then we focus on brief presentation of the Slovak cluster policy and official cluster initiatives in Slovakia. Length: 17 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 221-237 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=38&rid=2966 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902966 Classification-JEL: F60, F43, R11 Keywords: cluster, cluster initiatives, cluster policy, competitiveness, cooperation, globalization, innovations, regional development Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902966 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Rudolf Kuchar?ík Author-Name-First: Rudolf Author-Name-Last: Kuchar?ík Author-Email: rudolf.kucharcik@tnuni.sk Author-Workplace-Name: Alexander Dubcek University in Trencin Author-Name: Karol Janas Author-Name-First: Karol Author-Name-Last: Janas Author-Email: karol.janas@tnuni.sk Author-Workplace-Name: Alexander Dubcek University in Trencin Title: Crisis Management in the Slovak Republic at the National Level Abstract: Crisis management in the Slovak Republic works on a hierarchical basis. It consists of a very well designed system of functioning of state bodies that provide crisis management of the country in times of war and peace . The supreme body of crisis management is the Security Council of the Slovak Republic - consultative body of the Government of the Slovak Republic. The Security Council of the Slovak Republic is involved in the development and implementation of the security system of the Slovak Republic. The Security Council ensures compliance of international obligations in the field of security, evaluate the security situation of the Slovak Republic and the world. Central Crisis Staff also plays pivotal role in crisis management procedures in the Slovak Republic. Length: 11 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 238-248 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=39&rid=3005 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0903005 Classification-JEL: H12, H56, H79 Keywords: Crisis Management, Security Council, Slovak Republic Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0903005 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Brunela Kullolli Author-Name-First: Brunela Author-Name-Last: Kullolli Author-Email: brunela.kullolli@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: ?Aleksander Moisiu? University of Durres Author-Name: Igerta Bengu Author-Name-First: Igerta Author-Name-Last: Bengu Author-Email: igibengu@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: The District Court of Fier Title: The Constitutional Guarantee of Civil Procedural Rights Abstract: Our contribution to the present conference, shall address in this topic : "The constitutional guarantee of civil procedural rights". The article discusses the history of constitutional guarantees of civil procedural rights in Albania, their theoretical and practical treatment from the viewpoint of the European Convention of Human Rights and the Albanian Constitutional Court. The first part of the report gives a concise picture of the historical evolution of constitutional guarantees of civil procedural rights in Albania. The second part addresses the types of civil procedural rights, terms and specific features that each of them represents. The third part involves their approach to the European Convention of Human Rights and the Jurisprudence of Constitutional Court of Albania in the field of application of these constitutional guarantees. The civil procedural rights, because of the importance that present, enjoy a broad constitutional protection. They constitute the basic and fundamental principles upon which is lifted the whole activity of state institutions in general and in particular the judicial one, in view of guaranteeing human rights and fundamental freedoms. The same warranty are predicted by the European Convention of Human Rights. Despite the legal provisions, in practise are observed cases of violation of these basic principles, which are determined by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania as a violation of the right to a due process. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 249-249 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=40&rid=2997 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902997 Classification-JEL: Keywords: The civil procedural rights, constitutional guarantee, Constitutional Court , European Convention of Human Rights, due process. Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902997 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Fahri Kursunel Author-Name-First: Fahri Author-Name-Last: Kursunel Author-Email: kursunel@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Author-Name: Yunus Ceran Author-Name-First: Yunus Author-Name-Last: Ceran Author-Email: yunusceran@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Title: Reporting the Total Quality Management Costs in Compliance With International Financial Reporting Standards Abstract: Suppliers have started to focus on costs as tough competing market conditions have been triggered by globalization and leaving of national protection. Under the competitive market conditions, the measures taken firstly are cost information and reducing them. As result of these precautions, suppliers have attempted to research in reducing costs, cost accounting, and managerial accounting in this area, and also they have started to implement those techniques in their enterprises. Quality costs are also defined as inferiority costs. A business cannot recognize any cost to increase the quality of the product as quality cost after having been established to produce any goods to meet the consumers' needs. Any incremental cost that incurred as a result of disorder of the organization cannot be accounted as quality cost. It can be considered as inferiority-cheapness cost. Eventually quality costs comprise of all the expenditures that are incurred to reduce the errors and to correct them.Quality costs are generally classified as in 4 groups. These are prevention costs, measuring costs, internal failure costs and external failure costs. Quality costs can be measured for the entire organization and also it can be prepared on the basis of product and department. Depending on the situation, calculation period can be monthly, three-month, yearly and etc. In the report, comparison between periods, new developments in comparison to same period of the previous year, trends of quality costs' components and various graphical representations take place. Each organization must find the most appropriate reporting scheme and period according to their characteristics. Being able to compare quality costs with sector will be more useful for firms to analyze their quality costs. Having started to apply quality cost practices, feedbacks to the company must be monitored.In general, financial statements are prepared within an accounting model based on recoverable historical cost and protection of nominal capital.According to IFRS, Financial information -to be beneficial- must be appropriate with the requirements and it must be presented in a realistic way what it aims to explain. If financial information is comparable, verifiable, and understandable also presented in a timely manner, benefits of this mentioned information increases. In quality costs reporting which is prepared taking IFRS into accounting, first of all reporting must be done as fitting for purpose and realistically which are considered as basic qualitative characteristics. Length: 8 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 250-257 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=41&rid=2956 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902956 Classification-JEL: M41, M40 Keywords: Total Quality Management, Financial Reporting Standards, Cost Accounting Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902956 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Frâncu Lauren?iu Gabriel Author-Name-First: Frâncu Author-Name-Last: Lauren?iu Gabriel Author-Email: laurentiu_francu@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: Bucharest University of Economic Studies Romania Title: The Impact of Bureaucracy from the Romanian Public Institutions over the Sustainable Economic Development Abstract: The evaluation of the impact over excessive bureaucracy from the romanian public institutions over the sustainable economic development is a key issue in nowadays Romania. This study aims to analyze the problems of the bureaucracy from the romanian public institutions and the impact over economic activities. Thus, the main problem is a inflated and inefficient public sector that could affect the performance of the romanian economy by driving away foreign investors and by having inefficient spending of public money. A inflated public sector that will lead to an increase in human resource inefficiency that is unable to produce added value for the economy. To analyze the negative effects that the excessive bureaucracy from the romanian public institutions is generating I realized a questionnaire which aimed to analyze the impact of the bureaucracy from the romanian public institutions over the society and hence over the economic development. Thus, it will be see if the bureaucracy from the romanian public institutions have an important role in increasing or decreasing the national economy. Regarding the elimination of negative effects of the bureaucracy (eg: corruption; lack of transparency; inappropriate behavior of the public servants; negative image among investors; reducing revenues to the state budget; boundaries in sustainable development; etc.) this study aims to come up with some pertinent solutions. To eliminate the negative effects of the bureaucracy from public institutions will be proposed organizational models that in the future will increase their effectiveness and efficiency and not least their orientation to the market demands and exigencies. In this sense it is important to create an optimal bureaucratic system (a system of rules and regulations that will lead to a more efficient bureaucracy) to facilitate the activities of public institutions with an immediate effect in the economy. Length: 10 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 258-267 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=42&rid=2868 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902868 Classification-JEL: D73, H00 Keywords: bureaucracy; public institutions; economic development; civil servants; excessive bureaucratic system; optimal bureaucratic system. Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902868 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Hye-Young Lee Author-Name-First: Hye-Young Author-Name-Last: Lee Author-Email: hll14360@naver.com Author-Workplace-Name: Sungkyunkwan University Title: The Impact of Political Economic Sensitivities on Trade Regimes among Politically Asymmetric Countries Abstract: This paper examines the impact of political economic sensitivities of the trade regime among politically asymmetric countries. Our concerns focus on the effects of firm?s lobbying activity in each country, not only tariff setting, but also on the trade regime's decision, especially considering the countries? asymmetries in political economic sensitivities. We derive the following conclusion from our oligopolistic political economy model. If the country has a greater political bias, then the domestic government prefers to participate in unilateral trade regime or bilateral trade regimes. However, if the country?s political factor is insignificant, then the government prefers to carry out complete free trade. These results imply that Korea-China-Japan FTA negotiation could be accelerated when three countries? political sensitivities are larger. Moreover, China, which has the greatest political sensitivity, would be more likely to participate in Korea-China-Japan FTA. We find that the sharp contrast between these results and the previous literature stems mainly from the asymmetries of political economic sensitivities when domestic governments determine the political tariff and trade regime. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 268-268 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=43&rid=3024 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0903024 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Political Economic Sensitivities; Trade Regime; Lobbying; Strategic Trade Policy Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0903024 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Thorsten Lehnert Author-Name-First: Thorsten Author-Name-Last: Lehnert Author-Email: thorsten.lehnert@uni.lu Author-Workplace-Name: Luxembourg School of Finance Title: Press Freedom and Jumps in Stock Prices Abstract: Proponents of the efficient markets hypothesis would claim that investors correctly and timely incorporate new information into asset prices. Bayesian rationality is assumed to be a good description of investor behavior (Fama (1965, 1970)). However, the quality of information disclosure differs substantially across countries. Media- or press freedom reflects the degree of freedom that journalists or news organizations enjoy in each country, and the efforts made by the authorities to respect and ensure respect for this freedom. In a ?free? environment, characterized by good information disclosure, any news becomes immediately public knowledge through mediums including various electronic media and published materials. In an ?unfree? environment, characterized by bad information disclosure, the media become strategic goals and targets for groups or individuals who attempt to control news. We argue that stock markets in countries characterized by a high degree of press freedom tend to have good information disclosure. In those markets, economic agents would have no discretion to hide bad news or to release bad news slowly. However, stock markets in countries characterized by a low degree of press freedom tend to have poor information disclosure. In those markets, economic agents would have a greater discretion to hide bad news or to release bad news slowly, which at the stock market level would be reflected in a lower frequency of (substantial) negative jumps in stock prices. Hence, stock market returns in countries characterized by a low degree of press freedom are likely to be less negatively skewed. A number of recent empirical and theoretical studies find evidence for the existence of jumps and their substantial impact (see e.g. Johannes (2004)). Using an equilibrium asset-pricing model in an economy under jump diffusion, we decompose the moments of the returns of international stock markets into a diffusive and jump part. Using stock market data for a balanced panel of 50 countries, we show that in an economy with a free press, the free disclosure of bad news leads to more frequent negative jumps, which directly relates to a more negatively skewed return distribution. At the same time, the contribution of jump risk to stock market volatility is not affected by any of our country- and market-specific explanatory variables. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 269-269 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=44&rid=2033 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902033 Classification-JEL: G12, Z13, G15 Keywords: Press Freedom, Asset Pricing, Jumps, Volatility, Skewness Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902033 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Crisan Lucian Ciprian Author-Name-First: Crisan Author-Name-Last: Lucian Ciprian Author-Email: lucianciprian.crisan@yahoo.ro Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Economics and Business Administration - Timisoara, Romania Title: U.S. Navy Seals - A Role model for the modern leadership Abstract: The organization of military unit?s elite Navy Seals is a model with direct applicability in ensuring stability and development of the private financial sector. Applying some techniques from military management system can create premises for the development of commercial companies in order to ensure a healthy and sustainable economic system, based on indestructible principles. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the main elements of military leadership with impact in ensuring the sustainability of civil leadership model. At the same time I will highlight how this model can be translated into the daily civil managerial activity so that military discipline would lead to avoidance of errors in management of a civil organization by drawing the vision inside and outside it. Length: 12 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 270-281 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=45&rid=2784 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902784 Classification-JEL: M59, M19, M53 Keywords: Vision, Military leadership, Communication. Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902784 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Monika Maciuliene Author-Name-First: Monika Author-Name-Last: Maciuliene Author-Email: maciuliene@mruni.eu Author-Workplace-Name: Mykolas Romeris University Title: Linking Value Co-creation and Organizational Absorptive Capacity: Theoretical study and Conceptual model Abstract: Scientific literature on marketing and innovation management has a long-standing tradition of involving customers into organizational processes. In the traditional value creation process, organizations tried to manage the knowledge gap on consumer needs by engaging market research tools. However, SD-logic and co-creation put the organization in control of value co-creation, and the external stakeholders (customers, suppliers, partners, etc.) are invited to join this process as co-creators. Hardly any organization can ignore external input into development of new and existing products and the need of constant ideas flow while competing through added-value factors like fast product development, fascinating design, experiences, and new never-seen technologies. Even though empowerment of customers is often highlighted, but high volume of research shows lack of understanding of how to manage this process. Insights and data can come from different external sources but it is important to have qualified people and appropriate organizational structure ability to recognize the value of external knowledge sources, digest it, and apply it to commercial ends. Such organizational capability of organization is defined as absorptive capacity. There is an apparent need for broader theoretical research as well as the necessity for interdisciplinary discussions between scholars of related fields of ?value co-creation? and ?absorptive capacity? in order to get a better understanding of the subject and development of unified model. Such research could provide insights on how value creation on the external interaction level can be systemized and to come to a better understanding of management tools aiming on the development of absorptive capacity. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 282-282 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=46&rid=2957 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902957 Classification-JEL: M00, M31 Keywords: co-creation, absorption capacity, collectively created knowledge Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902957 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Jana Majerová Author-Name-First: Jana Author-Name-Last: Majerová Author-Email: jana.majerova@fpedas.uniza.sk Author-Workplace-Name: University of Zilina in Zilina, Faculty of operation and economics of transport and communications, Department of economics Author-Name: Tomá? Klie?tik, prof. Author-Name-First: Tomá? Author-Name-Last: Klie?tik, prof. Author-Email: tomas.kliestik@fpedas.uniza.sk Author-Workplace-Name: University of Zilina in Zilina, Faculty of operation and economics of transport and communications, Department of economics Title: Possibilities of social networks usage in the process of brand value building and managing ? results of survey focused on the customer's perceptions Abstract: Worldwide importance of brands has acquired a new dimension and an increasing emphasis putted on the marketing strategies of branding has become an imperative of the company?s success. One of the possible ways how to develop branding strategies is the e-marketing usage. The basic problem of the realized survey was the insufficient use of e-marketing in the context of branding. So, the aim of the survey was to obtain information about the specifics of Slovak customer's perception of branding activities, which is necessary to take into account in the process of implementation of foreign theoretical concepts formulated in the context of e-marketing implementation.Given the above, the aim of this paper is to present results of the questionnaire survey. But according to its limited extent, we focus only on the selected findings which form the basic framework for social networks usage in the context of branding in specific Slovak conditions. These are indicators of the following:?the communication policy has a significant impact on brand value perception, what implies the necessity of new trends (social networks usage also) monitoring and their application into praxis,?usage of the social networks is redeemable also by their nature, because they themselves represent the life style of user which plays a very important role in the process of customer?s identification with the brand identity,?social networks create a suitable environment for internet advertising which influences the customers mostly in the process of brand value creation,?social networks are suitable for propagation of messages concerning about brand's social responsible behavior, which has an impact on the perceived brand value.On the other hand we consider necessary to point out the findings which are able to disprove effectiveness of the social networks. These findings are as follows:?advertising is suitable tool of the marketing communication only in the first stages of the brand?s life cycle,?customer's trust into the communication activities of brands realized via social networks is still low.The whole text of the paper is focused on the justification of all mentioned findings in the context of the results of realized survey with acceptance of the specifics of Slovak customer's behavior. Length: 2 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 283-284 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=47&rid=2973 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902973 Classification-JEL: M30 Keywords: brand, branding, brand value, e-marketing, communication policy, social networks Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902973 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Demet Sefika Mangir Author-Name-First: Demet Sefika Author-Name-Last: Mangir Author-Email: demetacar@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: SELCUK UNIV. Title: Humanitarian Law in the Law of International Abstract: With moving from the rules of common law, responsibility of international law is to form binding rules, which is valid for all of international community, and to provide international community to feel itself subjected to these rules. This responsibility entails to reconsider the traditional institutes of international community to take steps toward keeping the fundamental values of the society. International laws aim to keep of first priority the interests and values of international community, rather than the interests of governmental and nongovernmental elements taking place in international system. In the direction of this aim, the rules receiving its superior/privileged quality from the fundamental values (jus cogens/writ) of international community, as an important argument of law of international,. the protection of the interests and values of the international community should be a priority based on the norms of jus cogens is a case of humanitarian law, which is one of the best reflections. Length: 7 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 285-291 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=48&rid=2895 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902895 Classification-JEL: K33, K33, K33 Keywords: International law, humanitarian law,international community. Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902895 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Eduard Marinov Author-Name-First: Eduard Author-Name-Last: Marinov Author-Email: eddie.marinov@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: VUZF University Title: Direction of International Trade of African Regional Economic Communities Abstract: African countries and their regional economic communities are trying to achieve integration through free trade, creation of customs unions and organization of common markets. International trade is a means for acquisition of fixed assets, equipment, materials and processed goods that are critical to economic growth. In this regard, African countries and the institutions of their integration entities must work to expand the volume of total trade, as well as the trade flows between each other, using the means of trade liberalization. The paper analyses the dynamics of trade flows and the trends in trade patterns of African countries and regional economic communities with special focus on intraregional and intra-continental trade. The study presents the main import and export destinations both in continental and global terms thus outlining the trends in African countries? and Regional economic communities? direction of trade for the period 2003-2012 and trying to draw some conclusions on the realization of potential benefits of integration. Length: 26 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 292-317 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=49&rid=1864 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0901864 Classification-JEL: F15, N17 Keywords: African integration, Regional economic communities, African trade Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0901864 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Bruce Marlowe Author-Name-First: Bruce Author-Name-Last: Marlowe Author-Email: bmarlowe@rwu.edu Author-Workplace-Name: Roger Williams University Author-Name: Alan Canestrari Author-Name-First: Alan Author-Name-Last: Canestrari Author-Email: acanestrari@rwu.edu Author-Workplace-Name: Roger Williams University Author-Name: Annie Winfield Author-Name-First: Annie Author-Name-Last: Winfield Author-Email: awinfield@rwu.edu Author-Workplace-Name: Roger Williams University Author-Name: Marilyn Page Author-Name-First: Marilyn Author-Name-Last: Page Author-Email: drmarilynpage@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Penn State University Title: Rethinking Reform and Re-growing Democracy: A Call for Renewed Research and Real Accountability Abstract: Over the past 3 decades, a neo-conservative educational reform agenda has come to dominate public education. Since the publication of the polemic, A Nation at Risk by the National Commission on Excellence in Education (1983), educational reform in the US has been guided by private and corporate interests and seized by opportunistic and culturally conservative politicians and policymakers. As Sahlberg (2011) has pointed out, this ?at-risk? agenda is now a global phenomenon, characterized by a discourse of crisis and fear. This model of reform is grounded, primarily, in standardized testing as the sole measure of the academic worth of children, teachers, and schools. Fueled by the media, the current reform agenda reinforces the notions of bad kids, bad teachers and bad schools by seizing every opportunity to publish declining scores, the ranks of low performing schools and under-qualified teachers. Such results provide numbers, but given what we know about teaching and learning, these numbers actually short-circuit deeper understanding of student learning and high-quality teaching. Consistent with this test-score emphasis, teachers are being reinvented as technicians, instead of decision-makers, and even more ominous, students are being reinvented as test-takers instead of thinkers. The purposes of this panel discussion are to examine and critique the current wave of reform, and to propose alternative models of accountability (and renewed research) as they relate to educational equity, diversity, and democracy. Our viewpoint places the highest value on good teachers and good teaching, instead of on test scores. An alternative discourse and model of accountability must hinge upon restoring a social reconstructivist point of view. That viewpoint sees schools as mechanisms to improve society, and not as an apparatus to transmit an uncritical acceptance of the past, the thrust of today's neo-essentialist point of view. To that end, the panelists will each engage the participants on a different aspect of this fundamental question: How can concerned educators break into the current discourse about accountability in order to offer a more optimistic, accurate, inclusive, and democratic model for our schools and children? Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 318-318 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=50&rid=2681 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902681 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Reform, accountability, democracy Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902681 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Hakan Mihci Author-Name-First: Hakan Author-Name-Last: Mihci Author-Email: hakanmihci88@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Hacettepe University Title: Human Development and Gender Equality Performance Analysis of Middle Eastern and North African Countries with Special reference to Turkey Abstract: The aim of this paper is twofold: The first concentrates on the very recent development performance of two country groups, namely Middle Eastern and North African countries, and the second focuses on Turkey in an attempt to determine the position of the country in the context of human development.To reach the above mentioned aims, very simple methods are followed: Descriptive statistical analysis is used and existing data is assessed in a comparative way to be more specific about the position of Turkey in her path of human development. The analysis period is restricted with the last five years. The main argument to be tested throughout the current study can be formulated in the following way: Although Westernization and secularization attempts of the country have prevailed since the establishment of the Republican period, recent human development outcome of the Turkish economy seems to coincide with those of Middle Eastern and North African countries where Arab and Islamic cultures dominate socio-economic life rather than highly developed European countries. To put differently, one may suggest that the development path of Turkey considerably deviates from the European trends not only in terms of economic performance but also with respect to societal, cultural and in particular with gender-based developments.An additional argument can be associated with the fact that certain resource-rich but relatively underdeveloped countries included in the sample of the current study provides us an appropriate ground to understand better the need to construct human development index in considering development level of the countries not via solely relying on the indicators biasing the material well-being of the countries such as absolute level of income or per capita GDP and ignoring the rest but also through concerning with the humanitarian aspect of development like looking at the achievements associated with education, healthcare, gender equality, social participation and so on. In the light of this preliminary information, the organization of the paper can be stated as follows: Next section reviews the origins and the emergence of the human development index. Third section deals with descriptive statistical analysis of the main human development indicators of the Middle Eastern and North African countries especially focusing on the position of Turkey, and final section evaluates the findings alongside with the main arguments of the paper. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 319-319 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=51&rid=2724 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902724 Classification-JEL: O10, O15 Keywords: Development, Human Development, Middle East, North Africa, Gender Equality, Turkey Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902724 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Helena Mitwallyova Author-Name-First: Helena Author-Name-Last: Mitwallyova Author-Email: mitwally@volny.cz Author-Workplace-Name: University of Economic, Prague Author-Name: Vukica Jankovi? Author-Name-First: Vukica Author-Name-Last: Jankovi? Author-Email: jankovic.vukica@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: University of Economic, Prague Title: Problems in the implementation of management methods of people management in the Public Administration in the Czech Republic Abstract: The paper is based on the theoretical basis of the book of Herbert A. Simon, Public Administration and trying to map the problems in implementing management methods of people management in the public administration in the Czech Republic. The paper compares the current situation in public administration with the characteristics of bureaucracy, according to Max Weber, sociological insights Talcott Parsons and other authors. On the specific example of the project "Smart and open Office of the Ministry of Transport", which had, inter alia, the task of the Ministry of transport to introduce a guest using the competency describes the problems of the process of introduction of guest workers in the public administration. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 320-320 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=52&rid=2757 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902757 Classification-JEL: H70 Keywords: Competency Model, Region, Department, Modern Managerial Methods, Motivation, Organizational Structure, Public Administration, People Management, Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902757 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Shaliza Azreen Mohd Zulkifli Author-Name-First: Shaliza Azreen Author-Name-Last: Mohd Zulkifli Author-Email: shaliza18@perlis.uitm.edu.my Author-Workplace-Name: Universiti Teknologi MARA Title: Money: The art of keeping it Abstract: In 2010, government of Malaysia strived to bring the country to be a high income, inclusive and sustainable nation by year 2020 through its New Economic Model (NEM) introduced in its Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). However this would also hint a sign rising price in many things, hence a higher living cost. Then in 2012 budget, the government announced a salary increment between 7 to 13% to the public sector employees. The citizens for once hope to be able to have a higher purchasing power but this was not the case. Adding to a series of existing events like oil price shock and global financial crisis, Malaysia incurred a new electricity tariff, subsidies cut and the skyrocket housing price. Even with the salary increment, it still does not help to ease out the rising living cost. Having said that, the amount of money to hold will also be affected and the ability to survive in this economy is questionable. Therefore this study attempts to i) determine the long run effect of real income, credit card and interest rate on demand for money in Malaysia, ii) examine the causal relationship between real money demand and chosen independent variables for the period of 2005Q1 to 2013Q4. By using multivariate framework, this study employs money demand function with Gross Domestic Product (GDP), credit card and interest rate as independent variables. Results show that there is a long run relationship between real money balance with GDP, credit card and interest rate. It is also found that relationship between real money balances and GDP is bi-directional. Length: 11 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 321-331 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=53&rid=2523 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902523 Classification-JEL: Keywords: demand,credit card,real money balance, average lending rate Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902523 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Rahul Mukherjee Author-Name-First: Rahul Author-Name-Last: Mukherjee Author-Email: rmuk0902@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Indian Institute of Management Calcutta Title: Predicting a future observation: A reconciliation of the Bayesian and frequentist approaches Abstract: Predicting a future observation on the basis of the existing observations is a problem of compelling practical interest in many fields of study including economics and sociology. Bayesian predictive densities, obtained via a prior specification on the underlying population, are commonly used for this purpose. This may, however, induce subjectivity because the resulting predictive set depends on the choice of prior. Moreover, one can as well consider direct frequentist methods which do not require any prior specification. This can again entail results differing from what Bayesian predictive densities yield. Thus there is a need to reconcile all these approaches.The present article aims at addressing this problem. Specifically, we explore predictive sets which have frequentist as well as Bayesian validity for arbitrary priors in an asymptotic sense. Our tools include a connection with locally unbiased tests and a shrinkage argument for Bayesian asymptotics. Our findings apply to general multiparameter statistical models and represent a significant advance over the existing work in this area which caters only to models with a single unknown parameter and that too under certain restrictions. Illustrative examples are given. Computation and simulation studies show that our results work very well in finite samples. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 332-332 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=54&rid=1514 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0901514 Classification-JEL: C11, C15 Keywords: Asymptotic theory, locally unbiased test, posterior predictive density, shrinkage argument Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0901514 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Valeriu Nalban Author-Name-First: Valeriu Author-Name-Last: Nalban Author-Email: valeriunalban@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: The Bucharest University of Economics Studies Title: Exchange Rate Pass-Through in Eastern Europe: a Panel Bayesian VAR Approach Abstract: In this paper we employ a Panel Bayesian VAR model for a homogeneous group of Eastern European countries, namely Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, in order to estimate the exchange rate pass-through coefficients to producer and consumer price indices (proxied by PPI and HICP respectively). The method is particularly useful at efficiently combining country-specific and cross-sectional information, mitigating at the same time the small sample problem. The priors are specified such that conjugacy is preserved, allowing to take repeated draws from conditional posterior distributions using a version of Gibbs sampler.The five-variable baseline model (industrial production index, euro nominal exchange rate, unit value index, producer price index and harmonized index of consumer prices) is estimated using January 2004 - June 2014 data and Cholesky factorization for disentangling structural shocks. Average Central Europe countries exchange rate pass-through to producer prices is larger than to consumer prices at all horizons, particularly at short- and medium-terms (about 0.3 for PPI at any horizon versus 0 for HICP in short-run and 0.2 in medium- and long-run). This result is compatible with the production chain structure assumed when ordering the variables and also with the results usually obtained in relevant literature. Individual countries coefficients are generally below the group mean for Romania (with the exception of HICP at shorter horizons) and Poland, while Czech Republic and Hungary display somehow higher pass-troughs.Compared to individually estimated Bayesian VAR models with Minnesota type prior, only Czech Republic display pass-through coefficients well outside the 68% confidence bands associated to the Panel model. Except for Poland, both PPI and CPI respond less to nominal exchange rate shocks than in the baseline model, particularly beyond the short-run horizons.When explicitly allowing for monetary policy shocks by adding 3 months money market interest rates data, the average pass-through to PPI is some 5 percentage points higher in the medium-run and 10 percentage points higher in the long-run, while the effects of exchange rate shocks on HICP are only marginally enlarged beyond six months horizons. Individual countries display heterogeneous results when compared to the baseline specification, although the differences are not particularly large. In addition, the interest rates model sharpens the inference, reducing model's uncertainty. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 333-333 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=55&rid=2936 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902936 Classification-JEL: C11, C15, C33 Keywords: Panel Bayesian VARs, simulations, exchange rate pass-through, emerging economies Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902936 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Tudor Niciporuc Author-Name-First: Tudor Author-Name-Last: Niciporuc Author-Email: tudorn17@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: Technical University of Cluj Title: Comparative analysis of the engagement rate on Facebook and Google Plus social networks Abstract: An inexperienced online marketer or a company which is new to social media marketing may just be very happy if their business page is getting many likes. This is one of the biggest mistakes that can be made when using Facebook. The world?s biggest social media platform provides countless tools for businesses to assess their perfomances; despite this, few marketers actually use them.The best way to be successful on Facebook is to focus on the engagement rate, which is calculated as the number users that have interacted with a post (whether they liked, shared, commented or clicked on the photo or link) divided by the total number of the page?s followers.Most people like a page because they saw their friends did so or because they were interested in a particular brand at a certain point in time. Consequently, even with an impressive number of likes, many business pages do not get much interaction with fans, thus their content mostly goes unnoticed. Meanwhile, when a high number of people are interacting with a brand, even if the number of followers is small, it means they are liking it, sharing its content and recommending the page to others. This means that the potential reach of that brand is much higher. So which social media platform provides the best engaged audience? Where can companies find the best quality-driven users? The purpose of this study is to answer answer these questions, by comparing the engagement rates on Facebook and Google Plus, using the social media pages of the YouSign.org petition platform. The study looks to analyze three major aspects. First of all, the post level engagement ? how many likes, shares or comments a posts receives, on average. Secondly, the page level engagement, which asseses the number of people engaged as a share of the total number of followers. Third of all, we will have a look at the user?s behaviour once they have accessed the YouSign.org website, in terms of the average duration of a visit, pageviews per visit and bounce rate (the percentage of single-page visits). With the help of these indicators, we will essentially determine which social network generates more quality to the above mentioned website. Length: 6 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 334-339 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=56&rid=2287 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902287 Classification-JEL: M31, M37 Keywords: social media marketing, social networks, Facebook, Google Plus, engagement rate Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902287 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Irena Nikolova Author-Name-First: Irena Author-Name-Last: Nikolova Author-Email: inikolova@nbu.bg Author-Workplace-Name: New Bulgarian University Title: Fiscal Sustainability and Economic Growth: Case of Bulgaria Abstract: The fiscal sustainability is one of the important issues of the financial and fiscal policy of a country. However, that is not enough for its economic development and for improving the living standard where a higher level of economic growth is needed in order to achieve them. The crucial point is how to increase the economic growth and at the same time to preserve the fiscal sustainability in the short and long run. The purpose of the paper is to present and analyze the budget practices in Bulgaria and to review the opportunities for economic growth and future economic development. The analysis is prepared within the horizon of the European Union up to 2020 and the EU funding is examined as one of the budget instruments as well. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 340-340 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=57&rid=2853 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902853 Classification-JEL: E62, F15, F30 Keywords: fiscal sustainability, economic growth, Europe 2020, EU funds absorption, budget policy Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902853 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Takahiro NISHI Author-Name-First: Takahiro Author-Name-Last: NISHI Author-Email: takahi52@meiji.ac.jp Author-Workplace-Name: Meiji University Title: Corporate diversification and board composition in Japanese electronic corporations Abstract: In this study, I examine the relationship between board composition and diversification strategy in Japanese electronic corporations. Many Japanese electronics companies have performed sluggishly and instituted major reforms in terms of governance and management. The strategic choice between Focus and Divarication is the foremost issue for Japanese firms aiming to improve their performance. A corporation?s diversification strategy is influenced by the board structure and configuration of corporate governance. Agency theory assumes that financial and other unrelated diversification reinforces the CEO?s power and creates no value for stockholders, a divergence from the owners? interests. Agency theory also holds that the CEO is a risk-averse agent. When free cash flow is available, the CEO will undertake non-value creating business rather than value creating business that may enhance stockholder value. The alignment of the interests of stockholders and managers reduces financial and unrelated diversification. To enhance the corporate board?s monitoring ability, I propose that the board should have an outsider-dominant composition. On the other hand, a strategic perspective like the resource-based view of the firm holds that related diversification leads to superior firm performance compared with a focused strategy because the company can explore business opportunities and generate additional return. The resource-based context assumes two types of corporate board composition. In the first, it is composed of insiders because they are motivated to pursue company growth regardless of stockholder?s concerns, emphasizing distinctive resources, which are diversified into several business units. In the second configuration, the corporate board is composed of outsiders because the company seeks high-level links with and access to resources in the outside environment I have considered the strategic implications of corporate governance by examining the relationship between diversification and board composition. These hypotheses are tested with multiple or logistics regression model, using a sample of Japanese corporations for the financial year in 2013. This study unravels the relationships among shareholder configuration and board structure, and the board?s strategic choice of diversification using several variables. This study finds that there is slightly negative link between diversification and the number of outsiders in the corporate board. Shareholder-oriented corporate governance does not necessarily mean a less diversified strategy. In addition, it finds that corporate boards with members who have ties to other corporations in the business group positively impacts performance, showing that high-level inter-connected directors could diversify business, leading to enhanced performance. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 341-341 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=58&rid=3010 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0903010 Classification-JEL: M10, M29 Keywords: Corporate Governance, Diversification, Board composition, Strategic Management, Agency theory, Resource Based View. Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0903010 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Mike Omilusi Author-Name-First: Mike Author-Name-Last: Omilusi Author-Email: watermike2003@yahoo.co.uk Author-Workplace-Name: Ekiti State University Title: Africa´s Largest Economy, World´s Poorest People: Paradox of the Nigerian State in a Democracy Abstract: Nigeria?s 1999 transition to civilian government culminated a long, turbulent period of military rule and failed democratic experiments. At the time of the political handover, many Nigerians expressed hopes for a ?democracy dividend? that would expand political liberties, improve the performance of government, encourage accountability among leaders, and revive the ailing economy. However, the anticipated benefits of democracy have been slow to emerge, and the new dispensation has failed to fulfill the expectations of many Nigerians. This essay examines the poverty situation in Nigeria in relation to what democracy, as a people-centered system of government, should offer the citizenry especially in a country regarded as rich in human and material resources. It traces the interface between democracy and the poor while analyzing the trends, patterns and causes of poverty in the country. The failure of the present democratic government to alleviate the alarming level of poverty is also brought into focus. It suggests ways of reversing the unpleasant trend. Length: 19 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 342-360 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=59&rid=1894 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0901894 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Poverty, Democracy, Economy, State, Government Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0901894 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Serdar Ornek Author-Name-First: Serdar Author-Name-Last: Ornek Author-Email: serdarornek@hotmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Kocaeli University Title: The Responsibility to Protect and Libya Intervention Abstract: The nature of armed conflict changed dramatically in the 1990s. Interstate wars were replaced by violent intrastate conflicts, which caused the casualties and death of many civilians. Due to the proliferation of internal conflicts which resulted in humanitarian crises, the international community has increasingly recognized the significance of international negotiation or intervention for crisis prevention and response. United Nations peace keeping and humanitarian missions are the major tools used for coping with these kinds of problems. International intervention that involves military action, has increased concerns about violations of the sovereignty of states. The responsibility to protect (R2P) was implemented in order to emphasize the relationship between the terms of state sovereignty and individual human rights. It has not been decided yet whether human rights and humanitarian issues are the subjects of security problems or not. However, some international organizations have been trying to develop new rulesof protection to prevent atrocities and genocides like those in Rwanda and Bosnia.The responsibility to protect the set of principles which defines sovereignty as a responsbility indicates that a state has the responsibility to protect its population from the ?four R2P crimes?: genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It generated some controversies when the United Nations Security Council authorized the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to use military intervention in Libya in 2011, an intervention based on R2P. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the development of the concept of the R2P and try to explain the limitations and controversies related to the notions and practices of the R2P. Second, the possibility of applying R2P both internationally endorsed R2P crimes and ?non-R2P? crimes will be examined in cases concerning Libya and Syria. Length: 11 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 361-371 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=60&rid=1467 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0901467 Classification-JEL: K33, F53, H56 Keywords: The Responsibility to Protect, Humanitarian Intervention, Libya, Syria, United Nations, Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0901467 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Amos Oyedokun Author-Name-First: Amos Author-Name-Last: Oyedokun Author-Email: aooyedokun@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: Obafemi Awolowo University Author-Name: Clifford Odimegwu Author-Name-First: Clifford Author-Name-Last: Odimegwu Author-Email: codimeg@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: University of the Witwatersrand Title: Condom use consistency among adolescents and young adults in the Cape Area of South Africa: Dynamics and Determinants Abstract: This paper examined the dynamics and determinants of consistent use of condoms among youths in the Cape Area of South Africa. A longitudinal data of 3,210 young people collected between 2002 and 2005 was analysed using Stata/SE version 12 with Generalised Linear Latent And Mixed Model (GLLAMM) for multi-level modelling based on Social Cognitive Theory. Findings reveal that median age at first sexual intercourse remains at 16 years during the study period. The respondents who always use condoms decreased from a high of 69% at the baseline to 47% at the third wave in 2005, while inconsistent users of condoms at their most-recent sexual intercourse increased from 31% at the baseline to 53% in 2005. Self-efficacy of using condoms at first sexual intercourse, positive school attitude and participation in prosocial activities increased the odds of consistently using condoms at the event of most-recent sexual intercourse, while childhood place of residence being rural reduces the odds of consistently using condoms at the event of most-recent sexual intercourse. At the second wave of data collection in 2003/2004, those out of school were significantly less likely to consistently use condoms at the most-recent sexual intercourse (OR: 0.90; p<0.05) while at the third wave of data collection in 2005, age, sex, population group, degree of happiness, expectation to live long and school attendance predicted condom use consistency. Those adolescents who used condoms at their first sexual intercourse, those who believed in condoms as a way of protecting against HIV/AIDS, those who were Christians and those with external monetary support were significantly more likely to consistently use condoms at their most-recent sexual intercourse in 2005. Therefore, program and policy interventions must be designed to encourage consistent use of condoms in the study area. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 372-372 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=61&rid=2234 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902234 Classification-JEL: J13 Keywords: Condom use, consistency, adolescents and young adults, Cape Town, South Africa Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902234 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Arif Behiç Özcan Author-Name-First: Arif Behiç Author-Name-Last: Özcan Author-Email: abozcan@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Author-Name: Kür?at Kan Author-Name-First: Kür?at Author-Name-Last: Kan Author-Email: kursatkan@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Author-Name: Engin K?l?çarslan Author-Name-First: Engin Author-Name-Last: K?l?çarslan Author-Email: enginkarslan@yahoo.com Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University Title: Turkish Foreign Policy and the Middle East: New Challenges & New Approaches Abstract: In the post-cold war era, Turkey has been attempting to redefine its place in the international system. Middle East plays a central role for Turkey in this context in terms of politics, economy, security and history. Almost every crisis or event in the region influences Turkey in a direct or indirect way. Political authorities in Turkey generally cannot remain indifferent to the developments in the region although the approaches may change from time to time. The ruling AKP, which is in office for about twelve years, has a ?proactive? foreign policy. Turkish Foreign Policy has been based on some other discourses such as ?normalization of history? and ?civilization? which increase the capabilities of Turkey to struggle against political and security problems in Middle East. However, the IS (so-called Islamic State) terrorism, erupted in Iraq and Syria, has dramatically decreased the capabilities of Turkey. Especially during the hostage crisis in Mosul, Turkey?s choosy and reluctant declarations was pointed out by all the world. After the hostage crisis ended up, Turkey took a deep breath and now Turkey may imply more effective policies against the challenges from the region such as Syrian Civil War or the IS. The changes in Turkish political life in recent times may also influence its foreign policy. Ahmet Davutoglu, who is believed to have constructed the intellectual background of Turkish foreign policy, has become the new prime minister. His government supports international initiatives against the problems of the region and that?s why Turkey has clearly supported the US attack on the IS. The inception of negotiations between the United Kingdom and Iran on terrorism in the region and the IS threat should be seen as an important step in supporting Turkey?s approach. In this study, after making a general evaluation of the recent developments in the Middle East, the attitude of Turkish foreign policy against these developments will be discussed. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 373-373 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=62&rid=2923 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902923 Classification-JEL: F50 Keywords: Turkish foreign policy, Middle East, IS, terrorism, hostage crisis Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902923 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Erdem Ozluk Author-Name-First: Erdem Author-Name-Last: Ozluk Author-Email: eozluk@selcuk.edu.tr Author-Workplace-Name: Selcuk University, Department of International Relations Title: Turkey: From Torn Country to Pivotal Country Abstract: The studies on Turkish Foreign Policy have recently increased. There are three main reasons of this increase: The first one is the relative political and economic stability stemming from single party government in Turkey since 2002. This factor has shaped the making and implementation of the Turkey?s foreign policy. Second one is the regional changes in Iran, Syria, Iraq and the effects of the so-called Arab Spring. The last reason is the leadership skills which are also called as Erdogan/Davutoglu factor. These three factors have led to some changes in the traditional patterns of Turkish foreign policy.This study deals with how to analyse these changes. Many concepts have been used to identify the main determinants of Turkish foreign policy and determine the real position of Turkey in the international system. Zero problem, strategic depth, proactive diplomacy, rhythmic diplomacy, pivotal country are among these determinants. However, there are some critiques that there is an axis shift in Turkish foreign policy. For about twenty years ago, Samuel Huntington, described Turkey as a ?torn? country, which has been unable to reconcile its internal, cultural differences, and settle for a stable democracy unhampered by the temptations of authoritarianism. Today Turkey is believed to be a completely different country.This study also tries to show the real place of Turkey within divergent debates. Therefore firstly the traditional principals of Turkish foreign policy since the foundation of Turkey are to be analysed. Then the major changes in the last decade will be emphasised. In the last part, the pros and cons of the claims on the shift in Turkish foreign policy will be comparatively discussed. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 374-374 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=63&rid=2898 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902898 Classification-JEL: F50 Keywords: Turkish Foreign Policy, Torn Country, Pivotal Country, Strategic Depth, Zero Problems Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902898 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Jin-Hee Park Author-Name-First: Jin-Hee Author-Name-Last: Park Author-Email: train2561@naver.com Author-Workplace-Name: National Disaster Management Institute Title: An Exploratory factor on the threats of new terrorism in the Republic of Korea Abstract: Although attention to new terrorism has increased sharply in recent years, it is by no means a new phenomenon. For decades, terrorists have carried out attacks against non-combatant targets causing massive destruction by means of various assaults.The Republic of Korea has not faced major domestic terrorist threats, and the various agencies with counterterrorist responsibilities have remained vigilant in countering what they perceive as emerging threats, such as potential home-grown terrorism through internet recruitment. But the Republic of Korea is becoming more involved in bilateral and international counterterrorism efforts in response to the growing exposure of its citizens living and traveling abroad. This presentation signifies the concept and seriousness of new terrorism in the Republic Korea, analyze different factors of causes of new terrorism and suggests new approaches. There are six significant characteristics distinguishing new terrorism from old terrorism. First, new terrorist groups show different types of structure from old terrorists, in which new terrorist groups are loose and they have no strong leadership. Second, motivation of new terrorism was more diverse and broad than one in the past. Third, new terrorism is severely indiscriminate. Fourth, new terrorists empower themselves to operate the media due to the development of technology and this makes terror quickly spreads and amplify over the world. Fifth, new terrorists are more accessible to WMDs than before. Sixth, new terrorists are less dependent on state sponsors than old terrorists, in which they are more independent.Of these characteristics, this presentation focuses on diverse causes and factors. In this sense, by analyzing various factors of new terrorism into social, technological, Economic, ecological and political levels(STEEP), this study suggests balanced approaches which are combinations of realistic and liberal approaches. The balanced approaches include not only the development of a new security system, strong condemnation against terrorism acts and reinforcement of security, but also environmental and social reform by using soft power. To do those things, international cooperation and agreement is critical.But unfortunately, The National Assembly failed to pass a comprehensive counterterrorism law, first proposed in 2001, that would have significantly improved the Republic of Korea?s ability to conduct counterterrorist activities. The Republic of Korea derives its authority to perform counterterrorist activities from Presidential Directive 47, which was last revised on May 21, 2013. The revision was mostly administrative and did not add any new authorities. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 375-375 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=64&rid=2846 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902846 Classification-JEL: H12, H56 Keywords: New Terrorism, Factor of terrorism, Counter-terrorism, STEEP, The Republic of Korea, Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902846 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Zdenek Patek Author-Name-First: Zdenek Author-Name-Last: Patek Author-Email: zdenek.patek@vse.cz Author-Workplace-Name: University of Economics Author-Name: Michal Straka Author-Name-First: Michal Author-Name-Last: Straka Author-Email: zdenek.patek@vse.cz Author-Workplace-Name: University of Economics Title: Measuring the efficiency of heritage institutions: Example of historic buildings in Czech Republic Abstract: The current society opinion about the public sector is not positive. In general, people perceive the public sphere as an area where the government wastes money or where the public management of non-profit organisations just squanders money provided by the government. We may find this sort of considerations even in the sphere of culture. The goal of this paper is to show that there are a way and a method that can be applied to public institutions for their effective management. It is the application of evaluations in the field of culture which in the future may bring positive results in economic understanding of culture. Culture is often associated with tourism, of which the largest share is the cultural tourism. The main component of cultural tourism is visiting monuments. The basic question in connection with the sights therefore is whether the public manage of these objects is efficient. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a widely applied tool in efficiency evaluation for public sector, however it has scarcely been put into use in the case of historic building such as castles and palaces. The article is a response to the growing need to measure performance in all forms of public management. The purpose is to suggest some ways in which it is possible to evaluate the relative performance of activities of cultural monuments on the territory of the Czech Republic, and also to consider whether UNESCO is more effective than classical monuments or not. Scientific plan is based on the belief that castle managers should manage historical monument in order to achieve certain results. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 376-376 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=65&rid=2998 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902998 Classification-JEL: Z10, H21, M11 Keywords: Effectiveness, Monuments, Data Envelopment Analysis Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902998 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Margarita Perova Author-Name-First: Margarita Author-Name-Last: Perova Author-Email: mperova@mail.ru Author-Workplace-Name: Vologda State University, Scientific centre for studying social and economic conflicts Author-Name: Evgeniy Perov Author-Name-First: Evgeniy Author-Name-Last: Perov Author-Email: perov.ru@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Scientific centre for studying social and economic conflicts Title: Economic stratification of the Russian population and its subjective assessment Abstract: Social and economic inequality is inherent in any society. During the Soviet period it was manifested in social status and prestige that defined social privileges rather than in income differentiation. The formation of the market relations in Russian society was accompanied by a considerable decrease in living standards and by economic stratification of the population. The relevance of the research is caused by the intensification of the income stratification of the Russian population under the conditions of transformation and development of the economic system. According to the statistical data, the income differentiation of the population was insignificant at the end of the Soviet period: R/P 10% ratio made up 2.99 in 1989. By 2012 it reached the level of 16.4. In 1995?2012, 20% of less provided population accounted for 5-6% of the income. The Gini coefficient increased from 0.387 in 1995 to 0.422 in 2007, when it reached the highest value. The aggregate indicator of the income stratification of the population is suggested for the collective estimate of the income differentiation of the population. The subjective image of the income stratification of the population is formed on the basis of opinion polls data. The subjective poverty index shows that the family?s financial situation was perceived by the population as the most unfavourable in 1998, with the assessment becoming more positive in subsequent years. The share of the population that according to its own estimations can hardly make ends meet gradually decreased from 51% in 1995 to 6% in 2012. The population stratification into the rich and the poor based on the amount of wealth, property was considered by more than a quarter of the population as an acute social problem during all years of the analyzed period. It was noted by more than 40% of the respondents in 1997-1998. The subjective image of the economic stratification of the population is reflected by the aggregate indicator of the subjective assessment of the income stratification of the population.The comparison of the dynamics of the aggregate indicators of the population income stratification and of its subjective assessment revealed their multidirectional dynamics. It can indicate that either people gradually get used to the income differentiation of the population, and it does not bother them as much anymore, or that the real income of the population exceeds the statistical data, by means of shadow income, for example. Length: 16 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 377-392 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=66&rid=2798 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902798 Classification-JEL: I30, C10 Keywords: Keywords: income differentiation of the population, subjective image of income Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902798 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Markéta Poláková Author-Name-First: Markéta Author-Name-Last: Poláková Author-Email: marketa.polakova@soc.cas.cz Author-Workplace-Name: The Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Author-Name: V?ra Pato?ková Author-Name-First: V?ra Author-Name-Last: Pato?ková Author-Email: vera.patockova@soc.cas.cz Author-Workplace-Name: The Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Author-Name: Kate?ina Vojtí?ková Author-Name-First: Kate?ina Author-Name-Last: Vojtí?ková Author-Email: katerina.vojtiskova@soc.cas.cz Author-Workplace-Name: The Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences Title: Cultural planning in two cities of the Czech Republic Abstract: According to the Committee on culture of the world association of United Cities and local Governments and its document ?Agenda 21 for culture? (2004), culture should be considered as one of the four pillars of sustainable development on an equal footing with the others. This paper will focus on the process of developing cultural planning process in two small and medium sized towns (Louny and D??ín) situated in the northwest part of the Czech Republic. We conceive a cultural planning as an integrated planning process based on thorough understanding of local cultural resources and effective use of the cultural potential of the area. The benefits of the culture for the individual and the community place identification are widely recognized. In two mentioned towns the authors carried out an action research characterized by a tight connection between the researchers and the local self-governement and other local participants, which strives to find a common solution how to encourage the development of culture and use its potential for strengthening of local communities and tourism. The aim of the partnership was to analyse and discuss the role of culture and mutual cooperation among actors from different sectors in two towns, identify the local cultural resources, to raise engagement and participation of residents in planning procedures, and ? in consequence ? to contribute to the change of perception of planning techniques. Throughout the process we emphasize the importance of partnership with (among) local actors and community, which enables the stakeholders to understand better the needs of diverse groups and can make an effective and sustainable planning of culture in the city. The opportunity to participate directly on the planning process, increase responsibility of local actors for the implementation of the plan, as well as increase their identification with the town and region. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 393-393 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=67&rid=2959 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902959 Classification-JEL: Keywords: culture, planning, sustainable development, community, partnership Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902959 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Pavel Potuzak Author-Name-First: Pavel Author-Name-Last: Potuzak Author-Email: pavel.potuzak@vse.cz Author-Workplace-Name: University of Economics, Prague Title: Price Level Stabilization: Hayek and New Keynesians Abstract: The doctrine of price level stabilization is one of the most important building blocks in modern macroeconomics. In 1920s and 1930s, Friedrich August von Hayek presented a theory that challenged this monetary-policy regime. Hayek stressed that attempts to stabilize the price level in the situation of a growing natural output might cause serious injection effects leading the economy to a boom-bust cycle. This article compares the Hayek theory with the New Keynesian doctrines. A simple graphical model is used to elucidate differences between the two theories. It is suggested that a declining price level might be a normal response of the price system in the expanding economy because the New Keynesian arguments stressing price rigidities may be of lower significance when the deflation in prices is caused by technological progress. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 394-394 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=68&rid=2921 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902921 Classification-JEL: E42, B25, B53 Keywords: Price level stabilization, business cycle, natural rate of interest Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902921 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Filippos Proedrou Author-Name-First: Filippos Author-Name-Last: Proedrou Author-Email: f.proedrou@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) / International Hellenic University Title: Contrasting Paradigms of Energy Security: Which Way for the Future? An Ecological Economics Perspective Abstract: This paper argues that mainstream discourse on energy security is premised upon the assumption of infinite growth and for this reason focuses upon the political, security and economic aspects of energy security. Consequently, it fails to provide satisfactory answers to the global environmental, energy, economic, geopolitical, and developmental challenges. The emerging alternative paradigm, to the contrary, makes a strong case for disentangling prosperity from growth and studies how a substantial retreat of energy consumption is not only feasible, but will also efficiently address the sustainability challenge and enhance overall energy security. It also suggests how it can alleviate geopolitical and developmental tensions. Ultimately, the paper poses the fundamental question of how valid our assumptions are to lead us into a better, and sustainable, future. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 395-395 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=69&rid=2259 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902259 Classification-JEL: F50, Q01, Q50 Keywords: Energy security paradigm, ecological economics, development, growth, sustainability Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902259 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Miroslava Pucandl Author-Name-First: Miroslava Author-Name-Last: Pucandl Author-Email: mirkapucandlova@seznam.cz Author-Workplace-Name: University of Ecomics, Faculty of management Title: Impacts of Change in Shared Taxes on the Economy of Small Communities Abstract: Amendment to Act no. 234/2000 Coll., on the budgetary allocation of taxes came into force 2013.The amendment significantly changes the model of shared taxes, which are determined territorial self-governing units and selected state funds in the Czech Republic. The article deals with the impacts of this change on the economy of small communities. The extent to which the municipalities counted with the changes in the budget process for 2013. How change has affected the amount of tax revenue the municipality planning for 2014. This article aims investigates whether a small village with a population of 1000, due to the possibilities of staffing at the municipal office themselves capable to determine the new amount of allocated tax revenues Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 396-396 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=70&rid=2926 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902926 Classification-JEL: Keywords: shared taxes, municipal economy, budget Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902926 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Wojciech Rubis Author-Name-First: Wojciech Author-Name-Last: Rubis Author-Email: w.rubis@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Jagiellonian University Author-Name: Paulina Tendera Author-Name-First: Paulina Author-Name-Last: Tendera Author-Email: paulina.tendera@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Jagiellonian University Title: Global ? Trans ? Multi? Contemporary art in the lecture room Abstract: The paper presents several, both methodological and personal, remarks on the didactics of the academic subjects connected with art in higher education institutions. The main research question will be: is contemporary art (painting, installation art and film as well as music) created in the global, transcultural or multicultural domain? During classes, in the uterrances of students and lecturers, are these terms synonymous, close in meaning or contradictional? How does the selection of certain linguistic items in class affect the attitudes, values and contents we transfer to the students? It is worth noting that, for example:?by using the language of global culture we communicate in the area of mass media and popular culture. This type of communication is easy and clear, but probably limits the worth of a work of art and the possibilities to convey the deeper values of a piece, which is why it is usually used in reporting utterances, but not in evaluative ones, in the domain of fashion, trends, design... ?by using the multicultural language we point to an important, enriching and interpersonal aspect of art as a carrier of a message. Multicultural art is a good tool for the promotion of slogans: equality, solidarity, understanding and tolerance. Multicultural art builds a patchwork of many diverse cultures. This aspect is very important in education towards a conscious life in social structures, which is why its use might be helpful in such domains as pedagogy, cultural studies, cultural management, or ethics. ?by using the transcultural language we emphasize the intellectual values and the possibilities of transfer of religious, ideological or emotional contents from one culture to another. The language of transcultural art proves to be the most appropriate for the analyses of high art, traditional art and art aiming at an intellectual reception, as it requires the awareness of what can and what cannot be conveyed in another language. This type of language is used in the course of in-depth art studies, in art majors, philosophy and history of art. One could say that in the 21st century this language has replaced the europocentric methodology reigning in the domain up until the first half of the 20th century.These issues are crucial because of the need to educate the contemporary viewer of art who will be able to take part in the culture of the 21st century in a conscious and mature way, both passively and actively. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 397-397 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=71&rid=2781 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902781 Classification-JEL: I23, I24 Keywords: Education, Language, Multicultural Art, Transcultural Art, Globalization Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902781 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Shekar Shetty Author-Name-First: Shekar Author-Name-Last: Shetty Author-Email: stshetty@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Gulf University for Science & Technology Author-Name: Dhari AlAbdulhadi Author-Name-First: Dhari Author-Name-Last: AlAbdulhadi Author-Email: fantec@me.com Author-Workplace-Name: Gulf university for Science & Technology Author-Name: Mansour AlShamali Author-Name-First: Mansour Author-Name-Last: AlShamali Author-Email: mansouralshamali@hotmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Kuwait Public Authority for Education Title: Sttock Market Behavoir: A Fractal Analysis of Saudi Stock Exchange Abstract: The Saudi stock market is analyzed, using rescaled range analysis to estimate the fractal dimension of price returns and to test the Efficient Market Hypothesis. In order to determine the predictability of a time series, Hurst Exponent for each time series is measured and we find that Saudi market is not totally random during the time period under study. There exists long range dependene in Saudi stock market returns. For most instances, it is determined that the Saudi stock market returns comply with neither the weak form of the efficient market hypothesis nor the random walk assumption. Additionally, for completeness and as part of literature review we bring out Bachelier-Einstein?s absolute Brownian dynamics, and Samuelson-Merton models of Martingale with geometric Brownian dynamic structure of equations. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 398-398 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=72&rid=2655 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902655 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Fractal analysis, Hurst exponent, Efficient Market Hypothesis, Saudi stock market Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902655 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Miroslav ?ipikal Author-Name-First: Miroslav Author-Name-Last: ?ipikal Author-Email: miroslav.sipikal@euba.sk Author-Workplace-Name: University of Economics in Bratislava Title: Political and administrative barriers of implementation of Cohesion policy in Slovakia Abstract: We can observe an increase assessment of cohesion policy. It is linked with the growing amount of support spend on this policy as well as need for greater efficiency in the use of these resources due to the crisis in government spending . Evaluations are dedicated to a large number of areas a including assessing the impact of aid, its effectiveness at reducing regional disparities or procedural aspects of implementation of the support. Only a limited number of studies is devoted to political and administrative burdens and their influence on cohesion policy. That impact is difficult to measure, although it greatly affects the ability of cohesion policy to achieve its objectives. The most significant problems should be considered e.g. the way the procurement of evaluation is done, methods of making the criteria for project evaluation and their control or non-publication of results and poor feedback for applicants. The article also analyzes the factors affecting the speed of the whole evaluation process, where the most significant factor seems election and not the number of projects or their content. Length: 8 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 399-406 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=73&rid=2743 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902743 Classification-JEL: R58, E61, H00 Keywords: structural funds, cohesion policy, political influence, Slovakia Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902743 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Jena ?varcová Author-Name-First: Jena Author-Name-Last: ?varcová Author-Email: svarcova@fame.utb.cz Author-Workplace-Name: Tomas Bata University in Zlín Author-Name: Monika Horáková Author-Name-First: Monika Author-Name-Last: Horáková Author-Email: mhorakova@fame.utb.cz Author-Workplace-Name: Tomas Bata University in Zlín Title: Youth Unemployment in the Czech Republic and Targets for 2020 in the Labour Market Abstract: Youth unemployment in the EU and in the Czech Republic has increased significantly in recent years. This is partly a consequence of the economic crisis that has hit Europe since 2008. This article also analysis other factors, which had an impact on the increase in youth unemployment in the Czech Republic. Strategic objectives of EU employment and training for the labour market were confronted with the methodology of measurement of employment and unemployment, and supplemented by information on the application of ESA 2010, Comprehensive revision in the national accounts by Czech Statistical Office since October 2014. Primary research among high school students across the Czech Republic and students of Faculty of Management and Economics, Tomas Bata University in Zlín in the years 2011-2014 found a weak focus in the choice of professions. The research used the classification system of professions according to Roe because of CZ-ISCO has proved to be unsatisfactory for this purpose. Student preferences in choosing the professions largely do not match the structure of the Czech economy. Research, on the other hand, confirmed the prevailing educational aspirations of students at the bachelor level of the tertiary education. This is important to fulfilling the target that 40% of the population aged 30-34 years successfully finish tertiary education till 2020. Lengthening the period of economic inactivity of students before entering the labour market in the borders of 26 years will bring increased demand for funding from relatives. This will deepen intergenerational problem - 50 years old parents will have to take care of their dependent offspring in studies, but they should save money for retirement. This problem can threaten funding for studies of young people. On the other hand, it could accelerate the access of young people to the labour market. Length: 8 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 407-414 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=74&rid=2974 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902974 Classification-JEL: J21, J24, J23 Keywords: Labour Market, Youth Unemployment, ESA 2010, Educational Aspirations, Choice of Professions Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902974 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Petr Svoboda Author-Name-First: Petr Author-Name-Last: Svoboda Author-Email: xsvop30@fm.vse.cz Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Management, University of Economics, Prague Author-Name: Monika Harantova Author-Name-First: Monika Author-Name-Last: Harantova Author-Email: xharm16@fm.vse.cz Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Management, University of Economics, Prague Title: Perceived Quality of the Higher Education Institution in Relation to Building a Strong Brand from the Alumni Perspective Abstract: Building of good relationships between higher education institutions and their students or alumni is essential for their long-term success. After all, only satisfied students or alumni can bring the best promotion of the university via word of mouth marketing and other ways. The paper focuses on the quality of higher education institutions and its evaluation from the alumni perspective. The methodology for an alumni attitudes survey on the quality and level of education, image of the university and other similar aspects is proposed. The paper also suggests methods for evaluating alumni satisfaction and loyalty. The methodology should provide recommendations for higher education institutions? managers. Using this methodology, universities can obtain responses to questions of how they should represent themselves to the public in the future, respectively how they should build their image and brand. Finally, the methodology also relates to building good relations with alumni and based on their recommendations, it aims to improve conditions for current students, which would lead to their greater success in the labour market. Length: 9 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 415-423 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=75&rid=2941 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902941 Classification-JEL: A00, A14, M31 Keywords: Higher education, Alumni perspective, Quality, Loyalty, Satisfaction, Brand Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902941 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Vahram Ter-Matevosyan Author-Name-First: Vahram Author-Name-Last: Ter-Matevosyan Author-Email: termatevosyan@aua.am Author-Workplace-Name: American University of Armenia Title: Integration vs. Security: Revisiting Armenia´s Decision to Join the Eurasian Economic Union Abstract: On September 3rd, 2013, the President of the RA Serzh Sargsyan abruptly shifted the direction of Armena?s long-praised integration preference with the EU and announced ?Armenia?s decision to join? the Russia-led Customs Union. To make his move more profound and convincing, the President accentuated that Armenia depends on Russia for security and that was a critical determinant for Armenian integration preferences. In the aftermath of the visit ?securitization? started taking place with the choice being presented as a security issue. That step by the President of Armenia was initially perceived either as an extraordinary or an isolated case. However, when 80 days later Ukraine followed the suit and announced its decision to stop the preparation of signing the Association Agreement with the EU, it became more than obvious that we became witnesses of a paradigmatic shift in the regional integration processes.These two cases illustrate not only Russia?s changing priorities and strategies pertaining regional integration issues in the post-Soviet space, but also reasserts changing paradigms in the integration strategies in general. The prevailing uncertainty among the Eastern Partnership countries even a few days prior to the Vilnius Summit affirms that presumption. This highly contentious problem along with Russia?s recent bold foreign policy moves will occupy the agenda of experts and practitioners alike long after the mentioned summit and, therefore, a well-thought out research needs to be carried out in order to identify general patterns and tendencies. Overall, the study aims to contribute to the academic and increasingly intensifying public debates about the determinants of Armenia's integration choices. Two sets of pertinent research questions will be considered during the research: In what ways did the military-political cooperation, trade and institution-building/strengthening strategies influence integration aspirations of not only Armenia but also other CIS members?; How did the dominant integration projects/doctrines/ideologies/thoughts influence Armenia?s decision? What visible and invisible factors influenced Armenia's decision?Based on the aforementioned questions following hypotheses are developed:1. The regional developments, notably both cooperation projects and conflicts, are directly correlated with the integration decision of the RA. 2. Economic development and institutional efficiency play secondary role in determining Armenia?s integration prospects. 3. The more guarantees a regional actor has in provision of Armenia?s national security, the stronger leverage it has on Armenia?s integration decisions. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 424-424 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=76&rid=2198 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902198 Classification-JEL: F50, F52, F53 Keywords: Armenia, Russia, Integration, Security, European Union, Eurasian Customs Union Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902198 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Venelin Terziev Author-Name-First: Venelin Author-Name-Last: Terziev Author-Email: terziev@skmat.com Author-Workplace-Name: University of Agribusiness and Regional Development Author-Name: Sevdalina Dimitrova Author-Name-First: Sevdalina Author-Name-Last: Dimitrova Author-Email: sevdalinaid_bg@mail.bg Author-Workplace-Name: Vasil Levski National Military University - Veliko Tarnovo Title: New Model of Social Policy in Bulgaria on Adaptation of the Military, Discharged from the Military Services Abstract: The starting point of our research is the specificity of social work with the military discharged from military service. The need for transparency and equal treatment of users of social services and respect for the dignity of the military, presupposes the importance of the social work with them. This is supported also by the fact that hundreds of specialists from the army have been transferred to the public sector and are able to make a significant contribution to the reconstruction of Bulgarian society and add value but this is not the case in real life. There is often an impression that that their experience and knowledge is unnecessary. People who have committed themselves to military service at young age, as a rule, adapt to the conditions of civilian life with difficulty. Despite having a special military skills and knowledge they actually form a new ?risk group", especially when they fall to the attention of the criminal world. There are various analyses and reports of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Ministry of Defence on this issue that are very indicative. In confirmation of this, a third of them are offered ?a job" in the security departments of various private organizations, banks and / or specialized licensed private security units.Practice shows that some of the reserve officers experience serious difficulties with the selection of civil profession. Although they are highly qualified, many of them cannot find a job for months, discontinue their works experience or lose their qualification. Finding the reasons for this is based on the analysis of materials from sociological and psychological research that allow defining the specifics of internal and personal adaptation. Accordingly, there are different age groups of military staff, leaving the armed forces and the Bulgarian Army, whose social adaptation is manifested differently. The importance of social work should be taken into consideration, when identifying the main issues of socialization and adaptation of the military leaving military service and transitioning to the conditions of civilian life, resulting from their economic, age, psychological and social characteristics, and their current social status. This determines the necessity of further development of existing and establishing new types of social work with them. Moreover, the social security system of the military has historically been developed as a part of the national policy. Length: 20 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 425-444 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=77&rid=1843 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0901843 Classification-JEL: P49 Keywords: SOCIAL WORK, SOCIAL MANAGEMENT, SOCIAL ADAPTATION OF THE MILITARY Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0901843 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Anikó Tompos Author-Name-First: Anikó Author-Name-Last: Tompos Author-Email: tomposa@sze.hu Author-Workplace-Name: Széchenyi István University Title: Hungarian societal values through business negotiators? practices Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to research on Hungarian societal values, namely the debate on whether Hungary is a masculine or a feminine culture. First, it introduces dimension-based cross-cultural research and then it reviews the controversial results of large- and smaller-scale investigations concerning masculinity and femininity in the Hungarian culture and, relating to these cultural values, it outlines the concept of distributive and integrative negotiations. Next, the findings of a questionnaire survey with a sample of 241 Hungarian respondents from the Northern Transdanubian region, who routinely take part in business negotiations, are presented, discussed and related to previous results. The findings appear to confirm that the masculine approach is preferred and also that employees of smaller companies tend to be more feminine than those working for large organisations. At the same time, they also show that the level of masculinity is not as high as some previous pieces of research suggest and further, there does not seem to be a significant difference between the values of the younger and older generation or male and female negotiators. The paper concludes that although there may be a slight preference for assertive qualities, Hungarian business negotiators appear to try to balance competition and cooperation and aim for a win-win outcome. Length: 9 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 445-453 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=78&rid=1740 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0901740 Classification-JEL: D46, F23, Z10 Keywords: assertiveness, business negotiations, distributive vs. integrative negotiations, masculinity vs. femininity, societal values Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0901740 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Dejan Trifunovic Author-Name-First: Dejan Author-Name-Last: Trifunovic Author-Email: dejan.trifunovic123@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics Author-Name: Bojan Ristic Author-Name-First: Bojan Author-Name-Last: Ristic Author-Email: bristic@ekof.bg.ac.rs Author-Workplace-Name: University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics Title: Three Stage Dynamic Game of Merger with Incomplete Information on Competition Commission?s Type Abstract: Horizontal mergers are of particular interest of anti-trust authorities who must distinguish between mergers that increase market power and are anti-competitive and mergers that result in significant cost savings and are not harmful to consumers. We consider horizontal merger in an environment where competition commission might be strong or weak. Weak commissions are more likely to accept horizontal mergers due to the low level of competency and reputation while strong commissions are more likely to decline horizontal mergers. In developing countries where antitrust policy is not very sophisticated commissions are more likely to be considered as weak and with the accumulation of competence and reputation they move towards strong commissions. This model might explain the situation when international companies that operate in several countries intend to merge. These companies must submit notification to competition commissions in all countries where they operate and each national commission estimates the impact of the merger on the national market. This model might also describe the situation when companies operating dominantly in the national market intend to merge, but they don't know the commission's type since they were not dealing with the commission in the past.We model the interaction between companies that intend to merge and competition commission in a dynamic game of incomplete information where the commission?s type is unknown to merging companies at the moment when they have to decide about notification submission to competition commission. If they are unsatisfied with commission?s decision, they can complain to the court who can confirm commission?s decision or overturn the verdict in favour of the companies. We determine that in perfect Bayesian equilibrium decision of merging companies about notification submission depends on possible weak commission?s decision and they almost completely ignore strong commission?s decision. If merging companies believe that weak commission will accept the merger, they will submit notification. Otherwise, they will restrain from merger. We also conduct an empirical analysis on the case of merger in sugar industry from Serbian regulatory practice that supports the main findings of our model. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 454-454 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=79&rid=2088 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902088 Classification-JEL: L40, L41, C73 Keywords: Horizontal merger, Dynamic game, Perfect Bayesian equilibrium Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902088 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Mehlika Ozlem Ultan Author-Name-First: Mehlika Ozlem Author-Name-Last: Ultan Author-Email: ozlemultan@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Kocaeli University Author-Name: Serdar Ornek Author-Name-First: Serdar Author-Name-Last: Ornek Author-Email: serdarornek@hotmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: Kocaeli University Title: Gypsies as Victims of Crimes of Crime Abstract: Many groups such as Jews, Gypsies, Slavs or the homosexuals were labelled as ?undesirables? during the Nazi era. Jews Especially were presented as the enemy of the Aryan ?master race? according to the Nazi ideology. Even though gypsies continue to face public prejudices and discrimination today, this study will be focused on the situation and the rights of Gypsies before and after the World War II. Gypsies had full and equal rights of citizenship under the Weimar Constitution, but they were still subject to some discriminational laws. When Hitler took power in 1933, anti-Gypsy laws remained in effect. In 1939, 30.000-35.000 people known as ?Gypsies? were living in Germany and Austria. In Europe, the situation of Gypsies differed from country to country, depending on local circumstances. For example, in German-occupied Europe, Gypsies were killed, or deported to camps in Germany or eastern Europe. In Croatia, Serbia, Romania and also Hungary, thousands of Gypsies were killed during the 1940s. According to the United Nations Genocide Convention, ?Genocide is a coordinated plan to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group by killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting conditions designed to bring about its destruction, preventing births within the group, or removing children from the group.? Many genocides have occurred throughout history, but the word Genocide began to be used from the 1940s. ?Genocide? became a part of international law, with the 1948 United Nations Convention on Genocide.This study will try to examine the Gypsies, especially the Roma (Porajmos), as victims of genocide, how they were treated during the World War II and were their rights were before and after the Nazi?s these are main questions that will be answered. Length: 11 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 455-465 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=80&rid=1466 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0901466 Classification-JEL: K33, N94, H56 Keywords: Genocide, Gypsies, World War II, Porajmos, United Nations Genocide Convention Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0901466 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Matthias von Juterzenka Author-Name-First: Matthias Author-Name-Last: von Juterzenka Author-Email: smvju@web.de Author-Workplace-Name: Catholic University San Antonio (UCAM), Murcia (Spain) / FOM University of Applied Sciences, Essen (Germany) Author-Name: Thomas Heupel Author-Name-First: Thomas Author-Name-Last: Heupel Author-Email: thomas.heupel@fom.de Author-Workplace-Name: FOM University of Applied Sciences, Essen (Germany) Title: Prepare for change: The impact of the German Ink- and Mineral Oil Ordinance still to come. What?s the contribution of the New Institutional Economics to avoid liability and market failure within the paper-based packaging supply chain? Abstract: Igor Ansoff described the important role and function that detecting and analysing weak signals plays in strategic planning. Weak signals are based on the assumption that every event or disaster caused by man is at times to be foreseen and unsurprising. Under the auspices of discrete discontinuities in economic, political, technical and social affair, they prior take notice before they come into existence as a whole. Solid board and corrugated board converters that print and process food packaging operate their businesses within a complex and strict set of regulations and guidelines, set in force by both government agencies and industry associations. These rules ensure that packaging does not negatively impact the products contained within. For ecological and economical purposes, paper-based packaging-material is largely produced using recycled paper. Swiss studies have shown that cardboard boxes made from recycled material can contain significant portions of mineral oil. Animal studies have shown that mineral oil mixtures with low viscosity are stored in the body and can lead to accumulations and damage in the liver, heart valves and lymph nodes. Currently there are no studies on the effects on humans, but it cannot be ruled out that this fraction contains carcinogenic compounds. The increase in the number of food-packaging migration alerts in recent times has been highlighted by consumer protection organisation and the media and the German legislator has decided to act with a national approach towards stringent consumer protection. This paper aims to give an overview of the current status of the German Ink and Mineral Oil Ordinance still to come (law bill) in relation to recent and future risk management within the paper-based packaging supply chain. A possible European spill over will be highlighted. To achieve objectives in strategic networks a cooperative service provision along the supply chain must be formed and agreed upon co-operation between the parties. The design and operation of networks based on trust, transparency, openness and intensive communication but all actors are subjected towards information asymmetries and behavioural uncertainties. The theoretical goal of this paper is to narrow the gap between existing knowledge about the regulation still to come and the consistent use of established economic theories. The paper shows the contribution of Weak Signals and the New Institutional Economics in order to avoid opportunistic behaviour in the paper-based packaging supply chain. The paper aims to give recommendations for action towards adjusted and suitable behaviour. Length: 25 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 466-490 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=81&rid=1421 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0901421 Classification-JEL: A10, A00 Keywords: Weak signals, Packaging, German Ink Ordinance, Boiling Frog Syndrome, Information Asymmetries, Behavioural Uncertainties, Principal-Agent Problems, New Institutional Economics. Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0901421 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Nils Wittmann Author-Name-First: Nils Author-Name-Last: Wittmann Author-Email: nils2.wittmann@tu-dortmund.de Author-Workplace-Name: TU Dortmund University Author-Name: Eppinger Marcus Author-Name-First: Eppinger Author-Name-Last: Marcus Author-Email: marcus.eppinger@gmail.com Author-Workplace-Name: University of Hamburg Title: Market Inefficiencies and Forecastability of Spot Rates in the Shipping Sector Abstract: The market for shipping goods across oceans is particular when it comes to spot shipping rates and its derivatives compared to other asset classes. First, since the underlying of shipping rates is a service, not an asset or commodity, rates cannot be short sold, which leads to an inefficient market. Also, active traders are mainly charteres and ship owners interested in smooth cash flows, rather than speculators, so trading can be thin. Second, cargo shipping rates exhibit a high degree of autocorrelation in its time series. In this paper we empirically take advantage of both characteristics and demonstrate the forecasting ability of Time Charter rates and Futures for future Spot rates in the cargo shipping sector and compare different models. In a sample from 2004 to 2007 with daily data and explicitly the Financial Crisis, we estimate and compare explanatory power and forecast errors of ARIMA processes, Vector Autoregressions and Vector Error Correction Models to simple Random Walks. VAR models outperform all other models in terms of Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and can therefore be used to explain and also forecast future Spot rates. Extending an ARIMA model to include Time Charter rates however, does not help to explain future spot rates. Based on these results our models can be used to create trading schemes, which would have outperformed benchmark indices. This result holds, after controlling for transaction costs. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 491-491 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=82&rid=12 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0900012 Classification-JEL: C53, G14, G17 Keywords: Market Efficiency, Forecasting, Vector Auto Regression, Trading Schemes Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0900012 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Alicja Wolny-Dominiak Author-Name-First: Alicja Author-Name-Last: Wolny-Dominiak Author-Email: woali@ue.katowice.pl Author-Workplace-Name: University of Economics in Katowice Title: Claims reserving with HGLM Abstract: We consider the problem of estimating IBNR (Incurred But Not Reported) loss reserves in non-life insurance. The literature proposes a wide variety of methods to estimate IBNR reserves, mostly based on the chain-ladder approach (Mack, 1993). In this paper we focus on two methods, in which unobservable risk parameters U=(U1,...,Uk)' are taken into account. Firstly, we propose HGLM model based in GLM loss reserving (Wüthrich and Mertz, 2008), where conditional inceremental payments (resonse variables) taken form loss triangle follow the distribution of an exponential dispersion family. Secondly, we modify the CapeCode method which uses the grow curve modelling (Clark, 2003). This method is based on two-stage estimation of the expected amount of loss to emerge: the estimation of the ultimate loss by year and the estimation of the pattern of loss emergence. As the pattern of loss to emerge, log-logistic and Weilbull growth curves are assumed. We imply another form of the growth curve and we add random effect yield the hierarchical model like in (Guszcza, 2008). Treating the ultimate losses in accident years as repeated measurements allows us to model parameters that determine the pattern of loss emergence in separately sub-models. Length: 1 page Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 492-492 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=83&rid=2819 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902819 Classification-JEL: C13, C21, C49 Keywords: loss reserving, random effect, HGLM, growth curve, R Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902819 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Eun-Mo Yang Author-Name-First: Eun-Mo Author-Name-Last: Yang Author-Email: kimyh@skku.edu Author-Workplace-Name: Sungkyunkwan University Author-Name: Young-Han Kim Author-Name-First: Young-Han Author-Name-Last: Kim Author-Email: superqn@skku.edu Author-Workplace-Name: Sungkyunkwan University Title: Optimal Environmental Regulation on International Joint Ventures in Developing Countries Abstract: This paper examines how environmental regulation affects the FDI strategies of parent firms in developing countries (the South) and developed countries (the North) when there are differences in the abatement technology and R&D efficiency between these countries. If there are more lenient regulations, it is more attractive to form a JV in the South. However, southern governments opt for lenient regulation when the abatement technology of the North, while not good, is still superior to that of the South. Furthermore, the welfare of the developing country is optimal when forming a domestic JV. This paper focused on FDI strategies in terms of the welfare of the South, with a view to being able to provide better policy modeling for the developing countries. Length: 21 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 493-513 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=84&rid=2860 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902860 Classification-JEL: F18, F23, Q56 Keywords: Emission standard; R&D; Developing country; Environmental regulation Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902860 Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Author-Name: Nadia Zaheer Author-Name-First: Nadia Author-Name-Last: Zaheer Author-Email: nadia.zaheer@nbs.nust.edu.pk Author-Workplace-Name: National University of Sciences & Technology Author-Name: Peter Trkman Author-Name-First: Peter Author-Name-Last: Trkman Author-Email: peter.trkman@ef.uni-lj.si Author-Workplace-Name: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Economics Title: How Much Willingness to Share Inmormation Affects Social Exchange Factors in Supply Chains Abstract: Information sharing is crucial for supply chains to collaborate, improve their performance, and achieve competitive advantage. Some of this sharing is done automatically but normally it involves humans and their individual willingness to share information plays an important role. Currently, the application of sociological theories like social exchange theory (SET) is limited in the behavioral supply chain field. The purpose is to study the effect of willingness to share quality information by SET motivation factor like reciprocity in supply chains. A quantitative approach consisting of a cross-sectional survey of 387 respondents was used. An extensive moderation analysis in SPSS was carried out using Hayes Process tool to study the moderating role of willingness for reciprocity to share quality information. The techniques used were regression slopes analysis and John-Neyman approach to quantify moderation. The research showed when willingness is low, reciprocity plays a major role in information sharing quality, and when willingness is high, it strengthens the relationship of reciprocal relationship for information sharing quality. Our research thus brings a deeper insight into the human issues faced during information sharing in supply chains. Length: 8 pages Creation-Date: 2014-12 Publication-Status: Published in Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 14th International Academic Conference, Malta, Dec 2014, pages 514-521 File-URL: https://iises.net/proceedings/14th-international-academic-conference-malta/table-of-content/detail?cid=9&iid=85&rid=2968 File-Function: First version, 2014 Number: 0902968 Classification-JEL: Keywords: Human Issues; Information Sharing; Behavioral Supply Chains; Social Exchange Theory; Moderation Analysis Handle: RePEc:sek:iacpro:0902968