"Scientific research" Almanac

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  STATE AND PROSPECTS OF USING BANK CARDS AS PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS IN BULGARIA

  Modern payment systems, like all innovative solutions, strive to fully meet the technological capabilities and business requirements. Companies are increasingly using electronic tools as their primary means of payment and doing business. Today, the use of bank cards, electronic banking and online payment systems are the most preferred means for ... Modern payment systems, like all innovative solutions, strive to fully meet the technological capabilities and business requirements. Companies are increasingly using electronic tools as their primary means of payment and doing business. Today, the use of bank cards, electronic banking and online payment systems are the most preferred means for financial relationships between organizations, companies and citizens. This study aims to present the use of bank cards as one of the most promising tendencies in the development of electronic payments in the country. The main tasks of the study are to examine the current state and prospects for the implementation of bank cards in Bulgaria, the risks and problems facing these banking products, especially in the field of security, and to prepare SWOT and PESTEL analyses of this payment method. The main research thesis is that the new methods of electronic payments, including bank cards, mean provision of adequate banking services, maximally convenient and efficient for consumers, which increases their competitiveness. Based on the study, we can conclude that bank cards are becoming more prevalent in Bulgarian practice, but their application is related to solving a number of problems in terms of their security.

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  OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATING PRACTICAL INNOVATION STRATEGIES IN BULGARIAN AGRARIAN BUSINESSES

  The study aims to evaluate the development opportunities of the strategic innovation potential of agrarian businesses, as a major factor in improving their competitiveness. In this context the following tasks are set: identifying barriers in the implementation of innovation as a means to increase competitiveness of Bulgarian agrarian businesses; ... The study aims to evaluate the development opportunities of the strategic innovation potential of agrarian businesses, as a major factor in improving their competitiveness. In this context the following tasks are set: identifying barriers in the implementation of innovation as a means to increase competitiveness of Bulgarian agrarian businesses; studying and evaluating the innovation potential in agrarian business on the example of the North Central Region; analyzing and assessing the readiness of agrarian businesses from the North Central Region to apply and develop innovations; outlining the possible strategies for developing the innovation potential of the respondents. The main thesis of the study is that because of the very specific nature of the agricultural sector production the competitiveness of agrarian businesses is highly dependent on the implemented innovation and innovation strategies. The study highlights the following conclusions/results: increasing the innovation potential of agrarian businesses is a factor to improve their competitiveness; in Bulgarian agribusinesses the focus is still inside the business structure and very rarely is directed outside to consumers and market demand; the prevailing sole proprietorships in agribusiness and reconciling the functions of owner and manager lead to underestimation of the need for a strategic approach to achieving long-term objectives; besides, a significant part of them do not set long-term goals.

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  THE HYPOTHESIS ABOUT ACCESSION TO THE EUROPEAN BANKING UNION – OPPORTUNITIES AND DANGERS FOR BULGARIA

  The idea of creating a European Banking Union occurs in times of crisis after identifying some gaps in the activities of the existing establishments and institutions and their inability to ensure the smooth functioning of the banking sector in the European Union and in the Eurozone in particular. Over the last three years (2012 – 2015), a number ... The idea of creating a European Banking Union occurs in times of crisis after identifying some gaps in the activities of the existing establishments and institutions and their inability to ensure the smooth functioning of the banking sector in the European Union and in the Eurozone in particular. Over the last three years (2012 – 2015), a number of measures for the institutionalization of the European Banking Union have been taken. These measures have led to contradictory views and have raised a number of questions regarding opportunities and dangers of its application. The subject is topical so the study tries to clarify the need for the existence of the European Banking Union and revises the mechanism of functioning of the European Banking Union through its three pillars. In this context, controversial issues in terms of the practical applicability of the ideas underlying the European Banking Union are outlined, potential positive and negative results in case Bulgaria decides to join the Union are also clarified, and a recommendation on the issue is formulated. The thesis that is defended in the study is as follows: ‘centralization of the regulatory framework of bank supervision, crisis and post-crisis management through the European Banking Union is an objective necessity in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the EU banking sector.’ As a result of its defense, the identified gaps in the national legislation after the global economic crisis and taking into account the loss of institutional trust, including in the banking sector, undertaking timely steps for Bulgaria’s accession to the European Banking Union is regarded as a positive aspect to the banking sector and the national economy.