"Scientific research" Almanac

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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.

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  OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASING THE ABSORPTION OF EU FUNDS THROUGH IMPROVING ACCOUNTING AND INTERNAL CONTROL

  To best protect the national and European interests in the process of funds absorption requires complying with certain criteria such as legality, efficiency and economy. Applying them requires good functioning of the accounting systems and timely internal control on the administration of EU funds and programmes. The processes of absorption of EU ... To best protect the national and European interests in the process of funds absorption requires complying with certain criteria such as legality, efficiency and economy. Applying them requires good functioning of the accounting systems and timely internal control on the administration of EU funds and programmes. The processes of absorption of EU funds throughout the Union are accompanied by attempts of fraud and abuse. Bulgaria is the only country in which no one has been convicted for illegal actions with European funds so far. This omission is not due to lack of offenders but to the imperfection of accounting and control systems. They do not function effectively, and therefore are unable to identify infringements or provide convincing evidence for them. Internal audit is part of the system of public internal financial control established by the executive authorities. Its purpose is to confirm that the spending of national and European public finances is carried out in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Directives of the EU Council. It must ensure the protection of public property, the proper preparation and correctness of financial documents and the accounting policy applied.

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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.