Year 2018, Issue
Date published28.5.2018
Table of content
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Borislav Borisov, Krasimira Slaveva, Plamen Petkov, Evelina Parashkevova Velikova
THE SYSTEMS FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL IN THE BULGARIAN MUNICIPALITIES - STATE AND PROSPECTSSummary: The aim of this paper is to present the results of an empirical study on the practice of Bulgarian municipalities in the implementation of the financial management and control systems (FMCS) and provide guidelines for future... The aim of this paper is to present the results of an empirical study on the practice of Bulgarian municipalities in the implementation of the financial management and control systems (FMCS) and provide guidelines for future development and improvement of these systems. The tasks that have been performed in order to achieve the objectives are the following: 1. Survey and analysis of the operation and condition of the FMCS in the municipalities in Bulgaria. 2. Evaluation and summary of the results of the empirical study. 3. Presentation of some possibilities for automating the processes through software applications. 4. Presentation of the new moments in the development of the internal control and the FMCS in Bulgaria. The object of the study is the FMCS in the Bulgarian municipalities and their role in achieving the objectives of the municipal administrations. The subject of research is the existing practice of implementation of the FMCS in the municipalities and their role in achieving the strategic and operational objectives of administrations. The main research thesis is that municipal administrations in Bulgaria have untapped potential for improving the state of FMCS, which will significantly improve the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the public sector processes. The results of the study can serve as a starting point for improving the public sector systems. The methods that have been used to study the practice of applying the FMCS and the documents defining the legal and methodological framework are the following: content analysis of documents, comparative analysis, deduction and induction, various methods of statistical analysis. -
Silviya Kostova, Krum Krumov, Penko Dimitrov, Yuliyan Gospodinov, Lyubomir Terziev, Ivana Dimova
MECHANISMS FOR MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPSKeywords: public-private partnerships, regulation and management of public-private partnerships, public sector, private sector, internal audit, external auditSummary: Over the last decade, the model of public-private partnerships (PPP) has been increasingly used in a number of countries. The reason for this is the insufficient public resources for the purposes of modernizing infrastructure. In... Over the last decade, the model of public-private partnerships (PPP) has been increasingly used in a number of countries. The reason for this is the insufficient public resources for the purposes of modernizing infrastructure. In this respect, it is essential to attract private capital in order to implement large-scale projects and provide public services. The aim of this study is to analyze the existing mechanisms for management and audit of PPPs as a way of higher return on investment and effective utilization of funds, a way of improving financial management and economic development in our country. Òhe object of the study is focused on the existing mechanisms for the management and audit of PPPs. The study defends the notion that PPPs have not been not used sufficiently in the Republic of Bulgaria as a way of providing the necessary financing and taking risks by the private investor in respect of provision of quality public services, with one of the reasons being the absence of adequate mechanisms for management and audit. The tasks that have been set in the study are the following: analysis of the legal framework; consideration of the role of PPPs in the economy; analysis of the management mechanisms on a national and local level; consideration of the specifics of internal audit of PPPs; analysis of the scope of external audit and internal audit of PPPs. The study makes a comprehensive analysis of the issues, while identifying the disadvantages of PPPs, with the aim of eliminating them in the future. -
Borislav Borisov, Margarita Bogdanova, Evelina Parashkevova Velikova
ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY OF THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITYKeywords: administrative capacity, good governance, modernization of ad¬ministration, working processesSummary: The purpose of this study is to examine and critically analyze the concepts, sys¬tems and tools for building administrative capacity and good governance, as well as to present separate aspects of an empirical survey results on the... The purpose of this study is to examine and critically analyze the concepts, sys¬tems and tools for building administrative capacity and good governance, as well as to present separate aspects of an empirical survey results on the capacity of the executive authority in Bulgaria. The objectives of the survey are: 1) to outline the concepts, prin¬ciples and trends in the development of modernization of administration and good gov¬ernance as key objectives in improving administrative capacity; 2) defining and critical analysis of concepts and models for administrative capacity; 3) Assessment of one of the aspects of capacity - the working processes in the executive authority in Bulgaria. Research thesis: Explaining the terminology, concepts and performance patterns of the executive authority will contribute to the development of adequate tools for assessment and self-assessment of the capacity of the administrations, which in the long run will help the improving the public services quality. As a result of the survey, the main notions and problems related to the con-cepts, systems and tools for administrative capacity building and good governance were defined and analyzed as a basis for development of a methodology for assessing the capacity of the administration of the executive authority; key challenges related to the work processes in the administration are displayed and recommendations are made to overcome them. -
Mariyana Bozhinova, , Pavlin Pavlov, Vasilisa Valkova
CURRENT STATE, PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE SPHERE OF TOURISM IN BULGARIASummary: The entrepreneurial activity can thrive in all spheres and sectors of the economy but tourism sector is of particular importance. Entrepreneurial activity in tourism is determined by the availability of suitable conditions for the... The entrepreneurial activity can thrive in all spheres and sectors of the economy but tourism sector is of particular importance. Entrepreneurial activity in tourism is determined by the availability of suitable conditions for the development of the tourism business. Thus, the objective of the research is to study empirically the current state of entrepreneurship in the sector of tourism in Bulgaria; to outline the existing problems and the prospects for development of entrepreneurial tourism business, which facilitate the promotion of Bulgaria as a tourist destination with numerous natural and anthropogenic features that favour the development of different types of tourism. The main research thesis, which is being defended, is that the increase in the entrepreneurial activity in the field of tourism in Bulgaria is essential for the stability and the sustainable development of the tourism market. This offers long-term benefits to all interested parties (the entrepreneurs, the state, the tourists and the local communities). A survey questionnaire has been administered in order to collect data from hoteliers, restaurateurs and tour operators, located in the municipalities of Primorsko, Velingrad and V. Tarnovo, offering various tourism resources. All the research tasks have been achieved, namely: the specifics of entrepreneurship in the field of tourism have been highlighted, the main problems and prospects have been found, a profile of an entrepreneur in the tourism sector in the municipalities under review has been outlined. -
Tihomir Lichev, Kristina Georgieva
DEPOPULATION IN CENTRAL NORTHERN BULGARIA AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE TOURISMSummary: The process of depopulation over the last decades in some regions of our coun¬try has become a particularly serious problem and, in addi¬tion, a challenge for the de¬velopment of Bulgarian society. In the present study, attention is... The process of depopulation over the last decades in some regions of our coun¬try has become a particularly serious problem and, in addi¬tion, a challenge for the de¬velopment of Bulgarian society. In the present study, attention is focused on depopula¬tion in the mountainous and semi-mountainous parts of Central Northern Bulgaria and the alternative tour¬ism as a factor for its limitation. The main objective of this study is to examine the nature of depopulation as a social phenomenon with its neg¬ative effects on society and the economy. The goal is achieved by solving the following tasks: analy¬sis of the theoretical research in the field of depopulation; chronological and compara¬tive analysis of the current state of settlement network and the process of depopulation and demographic forecasting; identifying opportunities for limiting the depopulation pro¬cess through forms of alternative tourism. The main thesis is that depopu¬lation as a social phenomenon leads to depopulation of settlements and entire territories; special attention has to be drawn on the need for a spe¬cific and responsible regional policy. Issues such as: gender-age struc¬ture, negative natural growth, migratory attitudes, isola¬tion of small set¬tlements, poorly built transport infrastructure, good prerequisites for the development of alternative tourism, higher degree of development of the tourism sector in municipalities and settlements and insufficient number of development programmes for the surveyed area have been highlighted. -
Penka Goranova, Eva Tsvetanova
RESEARCH ON THE IMPORTANCE OF WINE TOURISM FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL WINE PRODUCTION AREAS IN BULGARIA (DANUBE AND THRACIAN)Summary: The goal of the study is to explore the role of wine tourism in the sustainable regional development of the North (Danube) and South (Thracian) wine-growing regions. The tasks are related to: studying the attitudes of the local... The goal of the study is to explore the role of wine tourism in the sustainable regional development of the North (Danube) and South (Thracian) wine-growing regions. The tasks are related to: studying the attitudes of the local business offering wine tourism to the policies and instruments for its development, its competitive potential and importance for sustainable regional development; analysis of the wine tourism product, according to the outlined regional specifics of the studied areas; defining specific recommendations and measures to promote the role of wine tourism as a highly competitive product attracting solvent customers with recognized social and cultural status and bringing high added value to the local community and regional development. The thesis is that Wine Tourism, as a rapidly growing branch of modern economy, can significantly contribute to sustainable regional development by helping to increase the recognition and validation of regional product brands, increase entrepreneurial, investment and tourist interests in a certain destination and promote its positive image on the international and domestic market. The results of the quantitative analysis of wine producers' attitudes towards the policy of development of wine tourism in Bulgaria have been summarized in the study. In order to solve the problems that have been identified, specific recommendations and measures have been developed to support the sustainable development of the wine-growing regions under study. -
Pepa Stoykova, Emiliyan Tananeev, Zhelyo Zhelev
MODERN ASPECTS OF TAX PROCESSES AND CONTROLSummary: The research examines the main procedures in the tax control process: registration, declaration, establishment, collection, provision and appeal. The provisions of the substantive and procedural tax-insurance normative acts have... The research examines the main procedures in the tax control process: registration, declaration, establishment, collection, provision and appeal. The provisions of the substantive and procedural tax-insurance normative acts have been examined. The theoretical formulations and practical problems of the tax officers (revenue authorities and public executors) and the taxable natural and legal persons have been investigated. Two main accents - both theoretical and practical - are laid. The first is concerned with questions about the nature and specificity of tax control procedures. Variants are offered for their development and improvement, according to the specific conditions of application. The second is aimed at the practical applicability of the main tax procedures and identifying the possible difficulties in their implementation by the participants in the tax control process. On the basis of a survey carried out, analyzes are carried out and conclusions are drawn on improving the procedural tax control. The study is aimed at identifying problems in the content and implementation of tax procedures. This allows for the identification of impact measures that will lead to greater clarity, directness, speed, accuracy, professional adequacy and competence in the participation of the active and passive tax subjects. Qualitative communication between tax officers (revenue authorities and public executors) and taxable individuals and legal entities can lead to saving time, material and financial resources. -
Anastasiya Marcheva, Jadviga Chiburiene, Zoya Ivanova, Tanya Todorova
YOUTH, UNIVERSITIES AND BUSINESS – KEY PARTNERS IN ACHIEVING THE GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALSSummary: Sustainable development is a guarantee against the challenges of today’s world. The idea is not new, it is evolving, presented at the beginning of the 21st century by Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and Sustainable Development... Sustainable development is a guarantee against the challenges of today’s world. The idea is not new, it is evolving, presented at the beginning of the 21st century by Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (UN 2015, 17 goals, 169 targets, 193 countries). The Agenda 2030 is the first agreement that provides for global action and affects all countries’ internal policies. World forums in 2016 stated that Global Sustainable Development Goals are not recognized by all stakeholders. The defined sustainable development goals and the related targets balance three dimensions – environmental, social and economic in areas such as poverty, inequality, food security, health, sustainable consumption and production, economic growth, employment, infrastructure, nature utilization, climate, as well as gender equality, peaceful and inclusive societies. Education plays a vital role in implementing the Global Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 (Goal 4). Universities are becoming powerful centres that provide young people with knowledge, skills and competence to be responsible leaders in the future. Educational and scientific centers are becoming incubators of ‘knowledge’ that is necessary for the creation of innovations, which are to be implemented by businesses. In response to the social, economic, environmental and managerial challenges facing the society, the research team focused on the key partnerships in the ‘Youth – Universities – Businesses’ triad as an instrument for the implementation of the Global Sustainable Development Goals. -
Emil Nikolov, Yavor Stanev
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REPORTINGJEL: Ì14Summary: The purpose of this study is to present the results of scientific research on Corpo-rate Social Responsibility reporting. The subject of the research comprises Bulgarian business organizations, while its scope is the theoretical... The purpose of this study is to present the results of scientific research on Corpo-rate Social Responsibility reporting. The subject of the research comprises Bulgarian business organizations, while its scope is the theoretical aspects of Corporate Social Responsibility reporting and the extent to which Bulgarian enterprises use the capacity of the United Nations Global Compact and the Global Reporting Initiative. The realiza-tion of the research objective encompasses the following tasks: research and analysis of the existing theoretical aspects and practical dimensions of the reporting of corpo-rate social responsibility and social reports; exploring and analysing the communiqués of the progress of the UN Global Compact and the Reporting Guidelines developed by the Global Reporting Initiative; analysing and assessing the extent to which Bulgarian enterprises integrate corporate social responsibility reporting into their management systems by implementing globally validated structures. The fundamental research the-sis that is being defended is that a very small share of Bulgarian enterprises reports their corporate social responsibility using the communiqués of the progress of the UN Global Compact and the Global Reporting Initiative Reporting Guidelines. The results of the empirical research of the three largest social report databases (the Corporate Register, the UN Global Compact and the Global Reporting Initiative) prove the assumed thesis and identify the existence of significant problems with the reporting of corporate social responsibility by Bulgarian business organizations. -
Milen Mitkov, Milen Atanasov
CHALLENGES TO INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES IN THE CONDITIONS OF NEW REGULATIONSJEL: G22Summary: The present study presents the results of a survey conducted by insurance intermediaries in Bulgaria in 2017 and carried out under project ¹ 4-2017 of the Institute for Scientific Research. The main objective of the survey is to... The present study presents the results of a survey conducted by insurance intermediaries in Bulgaria in 2017 and carried out under project ¹ 4-2017 of the Institute for Scientific Research. The main objective of the survey is to outline the situation and the opportunities for improving the activity of the insurance intermediaries in compliance with the European Union regulations. The argument is that insurance intermediaries are a determining factor for the development of insurance companies. Proving the thesis has been achieved by solving the following important tasks:indication of the need and importance of insurance intermediaries; systematized and analyzed data showing the state of mediation activity in Bulgaria for the period 2007-2016; the conditions for registration and deletion of the insurance broker. Insurance brokers in Bulgaria have been found to be important in the formation of premium income. The pace of development of the insurance market lags behind the pace of development of insurance brokers. The pace of development of insurance agents lags behind the pace of development of insurance brokers. The pace of development of insurance agents- natural persons lags behind the pace of development of insurance agents. The rate of growth of premium income realized by insurance brokers in the non-life insurance sector lags behind the rate of growth of premium income realized by insurance brokers in the life insurance sector.