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STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE PRODUCT PORTFOLIO OF BULGARIAN INSURANCE COMPANIES
The structure of the portfolio of insurance companies shows what consumer preferences to different insurance products are. The comparison of product structures makes it possible to determine whether there is a change in the pattern of insurance consumption, to outline the reasons if there is a change and insurers to take adequate actions in line ...
The structure of the portfolio of insurance companies shows what consumer preferences to different insurance products are. The comparison of product structures makes it possible to determine whether there is a change in the pattern of insurance consumption, to outline the reasons if there is a change and insurers to take adequate actions in line with new trends in consumer demand.
The objective of this article is to assess the strength of the structural changes in the product portfolio of Bulgarian insurance companies. The assessment of the structural changes is done by tracing the dynamics in the distribution of Gross Premium Income by insurance sectors and insurance classes and also on the basis of the values of the integral coefficient of structural changes. The thesis defended is that tracking changes in the product structure makes it possible to identify the dynamics of the market shares of the insurance sectors and the insurance classes, to outline the trends in their market positions and to assess the degree of change in the consumer preferences.
In order to achieve the objective and to prove the thesis, the following tasks have been formulated: formation of the structure of the insurance market by calculating the market shares of general and life insurance; formation of the structure of the product portfolio in general and life insurance by calculating the market shares of different types of insurance; establishing the changes in the positions of the individual insurance sectors and insurance classes in the product structure; characterizing the strength of the outlined structural changes.
The survey results show that there have been changes in consumer preferences for different insurance products during the period under review. The changes in the product structure of life insurance are the most significant.
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EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC CRISIS ON THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN THE MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA AND GREECE)
The analysis of the real estate market has been directly related to the dynamic development of the overall price level in recent years. By focusing on the period 2008-2016, we draw attention to the influence of the two main factors - the accession of Bulgaria to the EU and the impact of the global financial crisis, which reflects most seriously on ...
The analysis of the real estate market has been directly related to the dynamic development of the overall price level in recent years. By focusing on the period 2008-2016, we draw attention to the influence of the two main factors - the accession of Bulgaria to the EU and the impact of the global financial crisis, which reflects most seriously on the sectors of construction, production and services. The focus of this paper is on the real estate market in Bulgaria in parallel with Greece, as a neighboring country that has suffered the harsh economic consequences of the crisis. The main research thesis on which the present study has been built is that the geopolitical and economic shocks on a global and national level are a key factor determining the potential of the real estate market. The main objective is to analyze the state of the real estate market in Bulgaria and Greece. The tasks assigned by the authors are:
- consideration of the main features of real estate markets in Bulgaria and Greece;
- outline the main trends of the real estate market in Bulgaria and other member states from Central and Eastern Europe;
- Investigating the potential for investment in real estate in the member states of the European Union by applying the method of Z. Helving;
- comparative analysis and assessment of the real estate market in Bulgaria and Greece and outlining the trends of its future development.
As a result of the survey a grouping of the European Union countries on indicators for the mortgage market, the real estate market and the economic potential of the countries was carried out. The peculiarities of investments in real estates in the member states of the European Union are distinguished, focusing on the Republic of Bulgaria and Greece and the main factors of the supply and demand for real estate.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIRECT INVESTMENT
IN THE INFORMATION ECONOMY
As early as the second half of the twentieth century, it was already clear to all the scholars and researchers of the society and its inherent economy that the industrial economy was on the wane, and its place was gradually occupied by a new, post-industrial (information) economy.
The aim of the present paper is to highlight some aspects of the ...
As early as the second half of the twentieth century, it was already clear to all the scholars and researchers of the society and its inherent economy that the industrial economy was on the wane, and its place was gradually occupied by a new, post-industrial (information) economy.
The aim of the present paper is to highlight some aspects of the nature and characteristics of the information economy as à necessary intrinsic part of the information society and to identify the strategic and particular conditions for business investment in this new environment.
The problems to be solved in relation to the stated objective of the research are: to characterize the emerging information economy and its peculiarities; to outline the branch orientation of the foreign direct investments in the information economy; to highlight the motives that have the most significant impact on investment decisions in the post-industrial economy; to provide guidelines for adapting economic policy in line with the new realities.
The research thesis is that: the information economy changes the conditions for conducting business and also the behavior of enterprises, particularly transnational corporations, which necessitates the adaptation of the economic policy to the new realities.
The main results of the research can be summarized as follows: The theoretical foundations of the information society and economy have been clarified; The motives for direct foreign investment have been analyzed and the factors that are of major significance for FDI in the new conditions have been derived. On this basis, the relationship between the information economy and the opportunities for direct investment has been assessed; An analysis of FDI in the service sector has been made, with special attention paid to greenfield investments and mergers and acquisitions; Recommendations have been made to the economic policy so that it can be adapted to the new business and economic environment.
