Year 2011, Issue 14

Date published

18.4.2011

Table of content

  • Nikola Georgiev, Polya Angelova, Silviya Panteleeva, Rumyana Chonova Stoykova, Nikolay Ninov
    MODERN DIMENSIONS OF THE POLICIES AND STRATEGIES “ANTI-POVERTY” IN BULGARIA IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL MODEL
    Keywords: -
    Summary: Some fundamental problems underlined in the project are discussed. In so far as the volume allows, the basic theoretical and conceptual foundations of poverty its functions and types are affected. The focus is primarily on labor... Some fundamental problems underlined in the project are discussed. In so far as the volume allows, the basic theoretical and conceptual foundations of poverty its functions and types are affected. The focus is primarily on labor market flexibility, on economic activity and employment. The regions with the highest poverty in the country are justified. The most sought and implemented programs and measures for employment with the regions with the highest unemployment rates are disclosed. The emphasis is placed on their effectiveness. Based on the opinions of specialists dealing with the problems of areas with high level of poverty, some critical remarks about the effectiveness of their use are made. At the same time, policy problems of social assistance for poverty reduction are placed and processed. Programs for guaranteed minimum income and target energy assistance carried out to reduce poverty in the poorest regions are highlighted.
  • Angel Angelov, Aneliya Radulova
    PERSONAL FINANCE - THE PRIMARY UNIT OF THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM
    Keywords: -
    Summary: The implementation of the project “Personal Finance – the primary unit of the financial system” allowing to indentify the specific of personal finance areas of their formation and their relationship with other elements of the... The implementation of the project “Personal Finance – the primary unit of the financial system” allowing to indentify the specific of personal finance areas of their formation and their relationship with other elements of the finan¬cial system. Conducted inquiry research found status and trends of a personal income and expenses and the ability of individuals to manage personal cash flows. The main thesis of research: Personal finance has a specific link to other elements of the financial system; depends on the cyclical nature of economic process; has a direct impact on the macroeconomic framework and requires specific personal knowledge to improve management efficiency” is proven. In the process of realization management’s personal finance is develop and the Center on management of the personal finance to the department “Fi¬nance” is build.
  • Georgi Sirashki, Aneta Deneva, Hristo Sirashki, Stanimir Slavov
    ENERGY AND GREENING OF ENERGY PRODUCTION
    Keywords: -
    Summary: In today's economic conditions Greening of industrial production is important for solving various, new and unfamiliar problems for the economy. By going green industrial production provides quality competitiveness of finished... In today's economic conditions Greening of industrial production is important for solving various, new and unfamiliar problems for the economy. By going green industrial production provides quality competitiveness of finished products of domestic and international markets; to facilitate technical cooperation between stakeholders; man in its activities and nature are protected from harmful effects of applied technologies and processes. One of the most important contemporary trends is its use of renewable energy. Led by the state policy creates the necessary conditions for their wider application.
  • Polya Angelova, Lyubomir Ivanov, Plamen Petkov, Krasimira Slaveva
    BULGARIA`S FOREIGN TRADE IN THE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN ECONOMIC INTEGRATION
    Keywords: -
    Summary: This study has theoretical and practical character. Theoretical aspects include clarification of ideas and concepts of foreign trade as a factor for the development of national economy. It is performed analysis of information... This study has theoretical and practical character. Theoretical aspects include clarification of ideas and concepts of foreign trade as a factor for the development of national economy. It is performed analysis of information assurance of external trade surveys by focusing on principles, systems and accounting classifications. The applied aspect of the study include improving the statistical methodology for the study of external trade, identifying the problems in studying its quantitative parameters and analysis of the structure, dynamics and interactions of Bulgarian external trade. For this purpose are approbated different statistical methods – analysis of time series, structural and regression analysis, as well different models to estimate the impact of external trade on some key macroeconomic indicators. In the course of the study are shown the main problems for external trade, international relations, balance of payments and more.
  • Penka Goranova, Stefan Stefanov, Zhivka Tananeeva
    MARKETING RESEARCH OF THE ORGANIC PRODUCTS MARKET IN BULGARIA
    Keywords: -
    Summary: The organic products are produced in accordance with certain standards of production. Through the most part of human history, agriculture could be qualified as organic. After 20-th century new and often not tested synthetic... The organic products are produced in accordance with certain standards of production. Through the most part of human history, agriculture could be qualified as organic. After 20-th century new and often not tested synthetic chemicals were offered, emphasized as improvements, introduced to all food products. This newer style of production is called “conventional” and in contrast to organic production the products are produced faster and easier. Within organic production the usage of conventional nonorganic pesticides, insecticides and herbicides is absolutely forbidden. At the moment European Union, United States, Canada, Japan and many other countries require from the producers to obtain special certificate in order to permit selling of food products as “organic” within their borders. At present 90 % of organic food produced in Bulgaria is exported to richer European countries. Bulgarian organic foods are mainly fruits (apples, peaches, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, grapes for wine production), nuts (walnuts and almond), herbs and species (dill, anise, lavender and many others), as organic plant oil, tobacco, vegetables. There are lamb and beef organic meat on the market as organic jam and honey. As an addition large areas of wild lands are under certifying as organic and wild fruits, herbs, mushrooms are collected. It is considered that 60 % of raw products come from their collecting from wild nature. Organic rose oil, tobacco, wine, fruits are a huge potential for the country according to German specialists. This year the Ministry will support the organic farming and food production with ˆ12,6 millions. The purpose is to strengthen domestic market and to occupy new share on European market.
  • Todor Todorov, Stela Kasabova,
    OPTIMISATION OF THE PRODUCTION COSTS – PRECONDITION FOR STABILITY AND COMPETITIVE POWER OF THE GRAIN PRODUCTION
    Keywords: -
    Summary: Grain production is a major sub-sector of Bulgarian agriculture and occupies an important place in Bulgarian economy. At national, regional and global scale, grain production will be of growing importance in relation to feeding the... Grain production is a major sub-sector of Bulgarian agriculture and occupies an important place in Bulgarian economy. At national, regional and global scale, grain production will be of growing importance in relation to feeding the population and the production of biofuels. The economic and statistical survey of production costs in grain production gives opportunity to find reserves to reduce them to their optimal values, to reduce the unit cost and to increase the profitability of grain production. Part of the information used in the study is taken from official statistical publications, and the main body of data on production costs of grain production has been gathered from a questionnaire conducted among grain producers from Veliko Turnovo district. A number of statistical research techniques have been used in the present study – graphical and tabular methods, correlation analysis, representative method, average and relative values, index factor analysis and other.
  • Atanas Damyanov, Dragomir Iliev, Nikolay Yordanov
    DEVELOPMENT OF A CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR SYSTEM APPROACH FOR INTERNATIONAL MARKET SELECTION
    Keywords: -
    Summary: Market selection process is one of the milestone decisions in the strategic management. Despite its importance usually decisions are intuitive. With the development of the technology and digitalised economic processes, companies... Market selection process is one of the milestone decisions in the strategic management. Despite its importance usually decisions are intuitive. With the development of the technology and digitalised economic processes, companies will need a formal and systematic, qualitative and quantitative analysis for international markets. There are two basic conceptions in the project – scientific and training. The scientific one stands on the successful experience of foreign researchers and companies on international market selection. The training one stands on the application of the “Learning by doing” method and sharing personal experience.
  • Angel Angelov, Zhelao Vytev, Marin Marinov, Reneta Georgieva, Reneta Georgieva
    SPECULATIVE DECISIONS PRECISION ENHANCING TECHNIQUES ON THE EXCHANGE MARKET
    Keywords: -
    Summary: The realization of the instrumentation of technical analysis has been applied intensely in the field on the one hand and has suffered a relatively vague realization in Bulgarian academia on the other. This research paper focuses on... The realization of the instrumentation of technical analysis has been applied intensely in the field on the one hand and has suffered a relatively vague realization in Bulgarian academia on the other. This research paper focuses on the fundamental techniques of quantitative analysis that make possible the forecast of fluctuations in foreign currencies quotations. The former relates to the main purpose of the current paper – to analyze the fluctuations in the market trend on the currency market and to reveal the potential of this specific approach to optimize the speculative decisions market players make. In order to achieve this purpose the following issues need to be resolved: systematization and characterization of the fundamental theoretical concepts on which contemporary analytical techniques are based; quantitative analysis of the market trend involving calculated indicators which include the basic price prerequisites.
  • Galin Stefanov
    BUSINESS CYCLE SYNCHRONIZATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER-STATES: A STUDY OF THE ECONOMIC CONVERGENCE WITHIN THE EU
    Keywords: -
    Summary: The aim of this paper is to investigate the level of business cycle synchronization of the EU member states. Three macroeconomic indicators within EU members are studied – GDP, unemployment and inflation. The methodology of the... The aim of this paper is to investigate the level of business cycle synchronization of the EU member states. Three macroeconomic indicators within EU members are studied – GDP, unemployment and inflation. The methodology of the study is based on two parallel econometric techniques – Baxter-King and Hodrick-Prescott filters. Different levels of synchronization are distinguished within the estimated indicators – high s synchronization of GDP, moderate of unemployment and low synchronization of inflation. Different levels of synchronization are identified between the old and new members of the EU.
  • Margarita Bogdanova, Yuliyan Gospodinov
    IMPACT EVALUATION OF STRUCTURAL FUNDS ON LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
    Keywords: -
    Summary: The objective of this study is to assess the impact of structural funds on local economic development. As target communities in the project proposal were defined Belene and Nikopol municipalities. They are selected because of their... The objective of this study is to assess the impact of structural funds on local economic development. As target communities in the project proposal were defined Belene and Nikopol municipalities. They are selected because of their small size and needs of increasing the administrative capacity. The object of study are the municipality development plans, where priorities and measures for funding from the Structural Funds are defined. The implementation of these plans will contribute to local economic development. The subject of the study is the impact of structural funds measures on the municipality development. During the survey methodology was adapted to assess the impact to the characteristics of small municipalities. There were conducted an evaluation of the impact of Belene Municipality. An analysis of the impact assessment and recommendations to local and central government are made.
  • Margarita Bogdanova, Eva Tsvetanova, Evgeni Todorov, Yuliyan Gospodinov
    INTEGRATION OF ECOLOGICAL AIMS IN THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY ANT REGIONAL PLANNING IN BULGARIA
    Keywords: -
    Summary: The aim of this study is to be developed and approved methodology for integrating äî global environmental objectives into local development policy and spatial planning in Bulgaria. Object of research are the main documents of the... The aim of this study is to be developed and approved methodology for integrating äî global environmental objectives into local development policy and spatial planning in Bulgaria. Object of research are the main documents of the United Nations, EU and national programs concerning environmental objectives and the methodology for regional planning on the level of planning regions, districts and municipalities. Subject of study is the adaptation of global environmental objectives in a framework methodology for planning and assessing the environmental impact of Structural Fund projects applicable to the creation of integrated products for local economic development. In the course of the study were examined key documents related to climate change, biodiversity, desertification and the need of their integration in the regional and local development. Training techniques are proposed, suitable for both municipal employees and civil society organizations. They are the basis for developing a training program to Centre for post-graduate and continuing education.
  • Valentin Milinov, Marin Marinov, Sergey Radukanov
    RESEARCH OF THE INFLUENCE OF FINANCIAL CRISIS ON THE MORTGAGE MARKET
    Keywords: -
    Summary: Bank lending is the main form for existence of the loans and mortgage loans had a key position. The rapid development of financial markets led to the creation of mortgage bonds and securitisation of loans. The large distribution of... Bank lending is the main form for existence of the loans and mortgage loans had a key position. The rapid development of financial markets led to the creation of mortgage bonds and securitisation of loans. The large distribution of mortgage loans highly overpriced the property, and subprime mortgages are a precondition for the emergence of financial cris and transforming it into a global. The present work treats the mortgage lending – essence and factors; the market for mortgage loans in USA, Europe and Bulgaria in last 5 years; the condition and development of real estate market as research is supported by data from the practice of three lending commercial banks in Bulgaria - United Bulgarian Bank; DSK Bank and Unicredit Bulbank. The practical purpose of the research should not be ignored, it is found in the provided recommendations and conclusion about improvement of mortgage loans market and financial discipline of central and commercial banks.
  • Snezhana Naydenova, Nonka Georgieva, Snejana Kostova
    INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATION BETWEEN EXTERNAL COSTS AND ECOEFFICIENCY
    Keywords: -
    Summary: The development of reliable methodologies for assessing the harmful effects of production and consumption of goods and services on the environment is a major challenge to the scientific community. Along with the existing indicators,... The development of reliable methodologies for assessing the harmful effects of production and consumption of goods and services on the environment is a major challenge to the scientific community. Along with the existing indicators, indexes and other measurement tools, in recent years relevant quantitative methods for evaluating these influences have become increasingly popular and much used. By increasing the reliability of these methods the topical question of how they are integrated into the assessment of eco-efficiency of goods and services has been put forward. The aim of this project is to offer a scheme using external environmental costs in the evaluation of eco-efficiency. For that purpose, after a detailed analysis of the results taken from various sources, this project offers the basic steps of the integrated circuit, as well as different approaches for assessing eco-efficiency at macro level, and the software used for this purpose and support systems for decision-making. Computations have been performed and concrete results have been obtained.
  • Todor Krystevich, Marusya Smokova Stefanova
    OPTIMIZING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIRECT MARKETING CAMPAIGNS USING DATA MINING
    Keywords: -
    Summary: In this article several data mining models, together with the conventional RFM model, are designed and applied for optimizing the effectiveness of direct marketing campaigns. Regardless of its popularity as a means for generating... In this article several data mining models, together with the conventional RFM model, are designed and applied for optimizing the effectiveness of direct marketing campaigns. Regardless of its popularity as a means for generating “optimal” target lists, RFM analysis is far from optimal solution. Applied on empirical data for one-year activities of an e-shop of electronic and home appliance technique, all data mining models surpass RFM model in predictive performance.
  • Mariyana Bozhinova, Veneta Hristova, Petya Ivanova
    ANALYSIS OF TOURISM CLUSTRS DEVELOPMENT
    Keywords: -
    Summary: Developments in the formation and functioning of the Bulgarian clusters are in its initial phase. Strongly supported by the state these business units increased rapidly in number. However, such issues arise as: “How clusters should... Developments in the formation and functioning of the Bulgarian clusters are in its initial phase. Strongly supported by the state these business units increased rapidly in number. However, such issues arise as: “How clusters should be actually working in our economy?”, “In which sectors should be exercised influence in the direction of support clusters?” “Really bunches of companies are suitable model a competitive economy?” etc. The answers to these and other issues related to cluster will be received in the future. The fact is that in world practice, such entities are carried out, realized and will likely give very good economic and social outcomes, leading included enterprises and regions in which they operate, to economic prosperity. This project is a continuation of several previous studies concerning clusters on one side and tourism on the other. It comes to meet the scientific “intersection” of two research teams – those from the Departments of Industrial Business and Entrepreneurship and Commercial Business. Data collected by the project indicate many diverse processes in the field of clustering in the most attractive economic sectors in Bulgaria - tourism. They promise “interesting times” for those in clusters and for the policy-makers.