"Scientific research" Almanac

More titles

• 

  CHALLENGES TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

  The technical and economic paradigm of the information age since the beginning of the 21st century has led to new structures and processes in the international business in the European Union. In the economic sense, this is a prerequisite for deepening the division of labour, increasing its productivity and expanding the sphere of the use of ... The technical and economic paradigm of the information age since the beginning of the 21st century has led to new structures and processes in the international business in the European Union. In the economic sense, this is a prerequisite for deepening the division of labour, increasing its productivity and expanding the sphere of the use of capital. The consequences for the European Union concern all the enterprises on the path to internationalization. We believe that the challenges to them are related to the changes imposed by modern information and communication technologies and the realities of the new millennium. The purpose of this paper is to present the trends and the challenges in areas important for the international development of companies in the European Union that are affected by the modern changes, namely: energy as the basis for the development of the industries that have directed their efforts abroad; international investment as an important factor for a country's prosperity and an increase in exports and the labour market, providing the necessary human resources for the success of internationalizing business organizations. This purpose should be achieved by solving the research tasks related to revealing the latest theoretical formulations on the subject under consideration and highlighting the trends in the studied areas. The main research thesis is that the knowledge gained in the study of the fields important for the international development of the European Union companies: energy; foreign direct investment and the labour market can be seen as a technical, economic, managerial and, above all, strategic instrument aimed at maintaining and enhancing the national and international competitiveness of international business organizations and the achievement of economic growth in each member-state and the whole Union. As a result of the research, we have come to the conclusion that changes require action in order to adapt to the dynamics caused by a number of factors: technological, economic, political, socio-demographic and psychological factors. Using all provided opportunities can foster the prosperity of businesses abroad, economies of the countries and the industry of the European Union as a whole.

• 

  MEASURING POVERTY IN BULGARIA: STATISTICAL ASPECTS

  Fighting poverty and social exclusion is among the biggest issues of modern social development and a priority of the social policy at both national and European level. The main goal of this paper is to explore the statistical dimensions of poverty in Bulgaria via theoretical justification and empirical analysis of the level, dynamics and ... Fighting poverty and social exclusion is among the biggest issues of modern social development and a priority of the social policy at both national and European level. The main goal of this paper is to explore the statistical dimensions of poverty in Bulgaria via theoretical justification and empirical analysis of the level, dynamics and determining factors of poverty for the period 2008–2017. The research thesis of the study is that the Gini coefficient and the multiple binary logistic regression models are appropriate analytical tools for analyzing the relationships and identifying the part of the population that is at risk of poverty and social exclusion. In this paper, we present the conceptual basis of poverty as a subject of the statistical analysis. We clarify the organizational and methodological aspects of the data provision. We have performed empirical analysis of the dynamics and factor relationships of poverty in Bulgaria on the basis of the statistical information, obtained from NSI and Eurostat. We have developed multiple regression models and estimated the socio-demographic conditions of poverty. The main results of the study can be summarized in several areas. The application of the statistical approach is a necessity for identifying the level and the factor relationships of poverty. The quantitative measure of poverty is based on comprehensive statistical information that is collected in accordance with the Eurostat methodology and adapted at a national level by the NSI. The dynamics of the Gini coefficient reveals that income inequality of the population is rising. The multiple logistic regression model states that the impact of the variables “gender”, “age” and “region” are statistically significant. The derived probabilities and odds ratios can be used in developing policies for poverty reduction.

• 

  IMPACT OF CONSUMER PROMOTIONS ON CUSTOMER-BASED BRAND EQUITY

  The present research paper outlines the effects of consumer promotions. Its subject is the type and frequency of effects of consumer promotions on customer-based brand equity dimensions. The leading role of consumer promotions within the communication mix, both nationally and globally, along with the lack of unambiguous evidence about their effect ... The present research paper outlines the effects of consumer promotions. Its subject is the type and frequency of effects of consumer promotions on customer-based brand equity dimensions. The leading role of consumer promotions within the communication mix, both nationally and globally, along with the lack of unambiguous evidence about their effect on brand equity as a top intangible asset, underlie the motivation of the current research. The present work aims to confirm the research thesis that consumer promotions can generate both positive and negative effects on customer-based brand equity depending on their type and frequency. The negative effects of monetary promotions, the positive effects of non-monetary promotions and promotions frequency on perceived quality and brand loyalty are estimated by structural equation modelling and finite mixture approach. The segmentation analysis provides estimates of the effects according to the degree of brand loyalty. According to the results, monetary promotions are more appropriate for the non-loyal segment, while non-monetary promotions are more appropriate for the loyal segment.