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Technology-facilitated abuse (TFA), a consequence of structured gendered disadvantage, poses increasing harm to women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and their children. This paper presents a small explorative transdisciplinary (social work and geography) study which aims to assess the knowledge of women professionals from four European countries (Estonia, Finland, Greece, and Northern Ireland) working in the area of IPV about TFA in general and in particular safety planning. The focus on safety planning is what distinguishes this research. The research findings indicate that the risk assessment of TFA is not always included in safety planning. Barriers, such as lack of professional knowledge, are reported. The paper ends with feminist insights about the risks of engaging in a reductionist approach when the focus becomes just the lack of knowledge per se, without accounting for the wider structural inequalities that exist within the context of patriarchal surveillance capitalism and which are primarily responsible for TFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates how investments in automation affect the gender pay gap. The evidence of the effects of automation on the labor market is growing; however, little is known about the implications of automation for the gender pay gap. The data used in this paper are from a matched employer–employee dataset incorporating detailed information on firms, their imports, and employee–level data for Estonian manufacturing and service employers for the period of 2006–2018. Through the use of the imports of automation goods as a proxy for the introduction of automation at the firm level, this paper estimates the effect of automation using simple Mincerian wage equations. The causality of the effect is further validated using propensity score matching (PSM). We find that introducing automation enlarges the gender pay gap, and PSM confirms that this also has a higher causal effect on the wages of male employees than female employees. The results imply that a higher representation of women in higher-paid positions does not guarantee a reduction in the gender pay gap in the presence of automation, and appropriate measures in education and retraining are needed to tackle the effect of automation on gender inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to describe and evaluate how nurses caring for COVID and non‐COVID patients assess changes in their work and in nursing activities during the two waves of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: Two cross‐sectional surveys were conducted for Estonian nurses working during the first and second waves of the COVID‐19 pandemic, using The impact of COVID‐19 emergency on nursing care questionnaire. Based on convenience sampling, the data were collected among the members of professional organizations, unions and associations. Responses from the first (n = 162) and second wave (n = 284) were analysed using descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test and McNemar's test. Results: The COVID‐19 pandemic changed the working context during both waves for nurses caring for COVID and non‐COVID patients. Changes were considered to a greater extent during the second wave, when Estonia was severely affected, and by nurses caring for COVID patients. During the second wave, the number and complexity of patients increased, and nurses caring for COVID patients performed fundamental care, nursing techniques and symptom control significantly more frequently compared to nurses caring for non‐COVID patients. Conclusion: Taking care of COVID patients is demanding, requiring nurses to perform more direct patient care. However, the pandemic also increased the frequency of activities not related with direct patient care. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? The COVID‐19 pandemic has influenced the context of care and all dimensions of nurses' work.Despite increasing research on the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on nursing care, little attention has been given to differences between caring for COVID and non‐COVID patients during the different waves of the COVID‐19 pandemic. What this paper adds? Nursing care for COVID patients requires from nurses more direct patient care through fundamental care activities, nursing techniques and symptom control compared to non‐COVID patients.The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on nurses' work reflects the severity and progress of different waves of the pandemic, which needs to be considered in preparing for future pandemics.Nursing care during a pandemic may also lead to an extensive workload due to tasks not related to direct patient care as nurses contribute to the management of the pandemic on all levels of health care. The implications of this paper: The COVID‐19 pandemic has had a significant impact on nursing, where the mitigation of long‐term effects of the pandemic is still ongoing, and thus, knowledge about the details of the resulting changes is required.Study findings enable us to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on nurses and to highlight aspects that need to be taken into account when preparing for future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of new voting channels, voting technologies and other voting innovations are often thought to improve voter participation in elections and democracy. However, it frequently happens at the expense of administrators, who needs to deliver even more complex elections. This article traces how the introduction of a new voting channel, Internet voting, affects frontline administrators through a qualitative in-depth case study of the 2017 local elections in Estonia. Findings show that the local election administration plays a substantial role in delivering Internet voting, despite the centralized election hierarchy. The case shows little evidence to support the expectation that Internet voting decreases the administrative burden of local election officials. The article outlines the vulnerabilities in Internet voting administration, resulting from the complexity of delivering multi-channel elections, particularly the ones integrating Internet- and paper-based voting channels. The article makes important recommendations for improving the implementation of electronic voting and improving the quality of elections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences is the property of Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Politologija is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bioeconomy as a new promissory discourse neither challenges the paradigm of economic growth, nor questions its embeddedness in capitalist (neo-)colonial patriarchal power relations. However, the calls for a 'genuine' socio-ecological transformation and for alternative bioeconomy visions imply exactly a destabilization of these power relations. Drawing on the Bielefeld subsistence approach and on its colonialism–capitalism–patriarchy nexus, I argue that the latest bioeconomy strategy and policy papers of both the EU and Estonia each disregard certain spheres of the bioeconomy due to the three-dimensional power relations. As a seemingly neutral political discourse, the bioeconomy is shaped by cultural assumptions and narratives that determine and perpetuate what is deemed worthy of protection and what is pushed aside as merely 'natural'. As such, the current bioeconomy papers promote a 'biomass-based model of capital accumulation' that is essentially built on the prerequisite of the subordination, devaluation, appropriation and/or exploitation of (1) different geographical regions, (2) ecological foundations, and (3) prevalent bioeconomy practices. As a widespread agricultural practice in Eastern Europe, Food Self-Provisioning (FSP) serves as a good example of how predominant bioeconomy models (1) simply operate as new forms of postcolonial development discourse, instead of embracing the plurality of decolonial 'alternatives to development'; (2) deepen the human–nature dichotomy by regarding nature as a mere resource to be extracted more efficiently instead of cultivating mutually nourishing partnership-like relation(ship)s with nature; and (3) maintain the separation between monetized and maintenance economies, rather than fostering ethics of care to overcome the structural separation between the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the productivity effects for domestic suppliers from joining and exiting the value chains of foreign-owned multinational enterprises (MNEs). Our econometric analysis is based on firm-to-firm transactions recorded in the value-added tax declarations' data from Estonia and use of propensity score matching and difference-in-difference regression approach. The treatment analysis based on period 2015–2019 suggests that starting to supply the foreign-owned firms initially boosts the value added per employee of the domestic firms, including the effects on the scale of production and the capital–labor ratio. These first linkages to the foreign-owned MNEs do not affect the total factor productivity (TFP) of domestic firms, suggesting that the TFP effects take time to materialize. We find no significant positive effects on the second-tier suppliers: the positive effects are limited to the first-tier suppliers with direct links to foreign-owned firms. One novel result is the evidence that the productivity of suppliers does not fall, on average, after decreasing or ending supplier relationships with the foreign-owned firms. However, this average effect hides significant heterogeneity. Domestic firms with prior high levels of productivity and those at the time of exit from the MNE relationship start to export, gain in productivity in next periods, whereas the firms with low prior productivity levels lose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to identify how small powers can make a difference by taking up a role at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as non-permanent members. This research takes a closer look at the Baltic states, Lithuania and Estonia, and give a perspective for Latvia too. This paper examines whether these states use strategies that have made other small powers successful at the Security Council. Most of the materials used were documents from foreign services and the UNSC, and the methods employed were qualitative document analysis and interview. Lithuania was successful at making resolutions and highlighted topics, such as small arms and protection of journalists, whereas Estonia was successful at agenda setting and highlighted cyber security and environment security. Small powers can successfully work at the UNSC by setting the agenda and working on resolutions. However, their time as part of the UNSC is limited and their abilities to solve military conflicts depend on the support of the great powers. The Baltic states used some strategies that other small powers have successfully used, although they lacked influence for mediation and coalition building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Music is an integral part of culture and human societies, which anthropologists study. What makes music so potent is its ability to contain values, reflect perspectives, and fill niches of societal needs. In this paper, I will discuss how ethnomusicology aids scholars in a deeper understanding of contexts, perspectives, and values in music and the experiences of the people who created it. I will analyze the relationships between music and technique, ritual, and religion in seven case studies. Drawing from examples from "right" singing in Estonia, the choral works of Stravinsky, Ambonwari rituals, ritual wailing in Amerindian Brazil, the maqam, syncretism in Southeast Asia, and Tamil Christian religious music, I will show how ethnomusicology uncovers understanding of the cosmology, values, and socio-cultural interactions of a people and their culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the digital transformation of education in Moldova, with a comparative analysis of Estonia's successful experience in this area. First, the article provides an overview of the current status of digital transformation in education in Moldova and identifies critical challenges in financing this process. Next, the Education Strategy 2030 in Moldova, which aims to improve the functionality of the educational system through the effective implementation of digital technologies to ensure the quality and sustainability of education, is discussed. The success factors of digital transformation in education in Estonia, including government support, high levels of digital literacy, a strong IT sector, and a culture of innovation and experimentation, are identified. Finally, the paper provides recommendations for financing digital transformation in education in Moldova, including allocating a specific portion of the state budget, seeking funding from international organizations and donors, and exploring opportunities for educational institutions to generate income. The implications for policy and practice and suggestions for future research are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of the research into the participation of scouts and scouting associations present in three countries. Three Baltic states (BS) - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - have been chosen as the subject of the research. The goal of this paper was to answer the questions of how the scouts perceive their role in the national defensive education system, and what the older scouts want to teach the youth. Based on this, we have attempted an appraisal of whether - and to what degree - scouting organizations contribute to increasing the level of defensive education in a given community. The paper has avoided strictly system-wide solutions, as the latter form a mere backdrop for the results of the research. In order to achieve the goal of the current research, the following research questions were formulated: Does participation in a scouting association represent a form of defensive education? Are the skills obtained from one's membership in them helping increase the mentioned indicators? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper evaluates the outcomes of the borrower-based macroprudential policy measures that were introduced in Estonia in 2015. The core of the analysis is the response of the credit market in 2016–2021 to the upper limit on the debt service-to-income ratio for new housing loans. The paper employs a novel data-driven approach based on the distribution of loan-level data, which does not need to account for the changes in the macroeconomic environment, and which allows the analysis to be made under assumptions that are more flexible than those usually used in the literature. The average number of borrowers affected, meaning those who were rejected or got a smaller loan than they wanted, is estimated to be on average around 11 per cent of the total number of new loans, which translates into roughly 10 per cent of the volume of new loans. The effect is fairly stable over the whole period despite the volume of housing loans growing in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the expectancy-value perspective on identity and identity formation, this paper explores the relationship between math identity (MI) and the dimensions of motivation (i.e. intrinsic value, attainment value, utility value and perceived competence) and math achievement in primary school. An additional aim of our research was to explore these relationships in different cultural contexts and investigate potential gender and grade differences concerning MI. The participants were 11,782 primary school students from Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Portugal and Serbia. All predictors from the motivation spectrum were significant for students' MI across the examined countries and had a stronger association with MI than math achievement. Among the motivational dimensions, intrinsic value had the strongest association with students' MI. Boys had significantly more positive math identities than girls in Estonia, Finland, Norway and Portugal. The results showed that the grade 4 students perceived themselves less as "math persons" than their grade 3 peers in all countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teacher beliefs and practices related to them could provide varying opportunities for students to develop their agency related to learning math. The aim of the current paper is to explore how different math teacher beliefs (concerning the nature of mathematics, constructivist beliefs, and self-efficacy) relate to different dimensions of student agency in primary education. A two-level multilevel model was analyzed to find out to what extent selected teacher beliefs are associated with student math competence and agency dimensions. The study was conducted in Estonia and data from 3rd and 4th grade students (N = 1557) and their teachers (N = 121) was included in the analysis. The results showed that teacher self-efficacy beliefs, constructivist beliefs, and static views on the nature of mathematics were related to students' agency dimensions. Possible explanations and directions for further studies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper aims to investigate prisoners' rights to use and access the Internet, focusing on the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The study's principal objective is to assess the fundamental rights aspects of Internet access, particularly within the context of relevant EU legislation, and to interpret how the digital divide impacts prisoners. The study primarily relies on a thorough review of pertinent literature and legal materials, and it incorporates case studies from Estonia, Lithuania and Türkiye to contextualize the literature findings within specific legal jurisdictions. The research findings suggest that prisoners' Internet access should be evaluated in accordance with fundamental rights, including Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Regarding the digital divide, the study concludes that limiting prisoners' access to the Internet could exacerbate the already existing societal gap, potentially hindering their reintegration into society. The particular focus on the above three countries stems from the fact that as per the precedent of the ECtHR, only four countries are involved in cases concerning restriction of access to the Internet (Estonia, Lithuania, Türkiye and Russia); however, Russia ceased to be a party of the European Convention on Human Rights, so analyzing the future of the issue of Internet acces there is highly limited. Our research contributes significantly to the literature on the digital divide, particularly in terms of its legal implications. The study's comprehensive approach, which integrates both theoretical and practical aspects, is beneficial for domestic legal professionals and researchers engaged in interdisciplinary investigations of EU law and fundamental rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the impact of relative endowments of skilled labour and physical capital on the location choices of multinational firms (MNEs). We demonstrate potential methodological issues and possible solutions related to the identification of vertical MNE activity when using aggregate country-level data. To support our analysis, we introduce data matching and various assumptions with respect to the degree of profit shifting activities of MNEs that we apply to study unilateral inward foreign direct investment (FDI) across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Our choice of data is motivated by various legislation gaps, taxation specificities, and growing equity stocks in sectors related to profit shifting in the aforementioned economies. Ultimately, we highlight the importance of international tax differences and the growing discrepancy between real and reported cross-country FDI data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the trust/commitment theory and the customer-based brand equity theory, this study aims to ascertain which of the brand equity drivers of A. Le Coq beer have an impact on attachment and its overall brand equity in the Estonian brewery market. In order to achieve this goal, an empirical study was conducted based on the 17 customer-based/consumer-based brand equity models: the 15 brand equity models, including the beer/beverage brand equity models, the 2 internal brand equity models, as well as 3 other related models. The study utilised a sample of convenience of 120 University of Tartu students. The questionnaire was placed on Google's online survey administration service. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) through AMOS29 was used for testing the fit of the model and covariances (through AMOS29) were used for testing the hypotheses. Additionally, t-test analysis was used for the differences in the means between the demographic characteristics and the items of the model. The results show that brand meaning has a strong positive effect on attachment strength, which significantly influences relationship factors—commitment, trust, and satisfaction. Another major finding is that the relationship factors—commitment, trust, and satisfaction—play a significant role in the development of the brand equity of A. Le Coq beer. This study provides useful insights for brewery marketing managers by exploiting the strong positive relationships found between beer brand equity drivers, such as the strong positive relationships found within consumers of beer, i.e., the relationships between brand reputation and brand image, brand meaning and attachment strength, attachment strength and commitment, attachment strength and satisfaction, attachment strength and trust, satisfaction and brand equity, commitment and brand equity, and trust and brand equity. This finding contributes to the literature on brand equity related to the Estonian environment. Five differences in demographic characteristics seem to play a role in designing strategies by the management teams of different brands for increasing the consumption of their competing brands of beer. A replication of a model previously used for a non-product is part of the novelty of this paper. In addition, all the examined relationships are found to be positive and significant, which provides a contribution to the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is commonly known that irresponsible alcohol use can have adverse effects. For some people, it results in health problems, for others in productivity loss, and some experience the worst possible outcome of alcohol misuse – death. This paper estimates the effect of reduced alcohol sales hours on alcohol-attributable mortality (AAM) in Estonia. Using novel mortality data from 1997 to 2015, this paper analyzes the effect of alcohol sales policies at both the county level and the country level. By applying the difference-in-differences method and the ARIMA model, this paper finds that the alcohol sales policy reduced AAM to between 1.710 and 2.401 deaths per 100,000 per month, which equals a reduction of 31% to 40% in AAM deaths. These findings suggest that individuals who are the most at risk of dying from alcohol-attributable causes of death benefit remarkably from reduced alcohol availability (JEL codes: I12, I18, and H75). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine and analyse data relating to cultural heritage, smart tourism and smart tourism tools for preserving cultural heritage in the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on a qualitative review of data from National tourism board web sites, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, and the European Heritage Label sites. The paper analyses various sources in terms of cultural heritage and smart tourism and examines different ways of applying smart tourism tools to cultural heritage. Findings: The findings show that smart tourism, and especially the preservation of cultural heritage in the Baltic states, is not a new thing, and it is rapidly progressing by inventing new technological tools for tourists to use and as well by digitising cultural heritage. Comprehensive examination of three countries shows that there is significant potential already and that there is a way to grow further for each of the countries by applying new technological tools for preservation of a cultural heritage. Originality/value: The paper reviews data on cultural heritage and smart tourism tools in the Baltic states where it already plays a steady and significant role. Specifically, it contributes to recognition of each of the states on a global level in terms of variety of cultural heritage that is being preserved and digitalised. The originality of the paper is determined by the assessment of the smart tools used for cultural tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to provide a summary of the key outcomes and reflections related to the theme issue question, "Smart tourism: what developments and issues are important to the Baltic states?" Design/methodology/approach: This study utilizes a descriptive approach to summarize the key outcomes of the theme issue. The theme issue focuses on the problems, trends and developments of smart tourism in the Baltic states, namely, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Findings: The papers in the theme issue explore the emerging concept of smart tourism and the challenges associated with its implementation at the destination level. They also provide updated data on the adoption of smart tourism and aim to engage academics and industry professionals to identify future developments. Originality/value: This theme issue provides unique perspectives from a variety of stakeholders, including academics, practitioners, industry professionals and policymakers on the key issues, trends and developments shaping the emergence of smart tourism in the Baltic states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated process control has been used for a long time. Innovation and information technology achievements have made it possible to use automation in the State governance. Algorithm-based automated decisions are integral part of the concept of e-Government. Automated decisions are becoming more and more prevalent in modern society of the EU. Using automated decisions in public administration is a challenge for Administrative Law, because it has to evolve and keep up with the usage of new technologies, keep the legal balance between the cost-efficiency and operational flexibility of the State in general and at the same time ensure the protection of rights of individuals in each Member State and in the EU as a whole. Estonia is EU Member State and its public sector uses automated decisions but there are no direct legal provisions regarding what automated decision is, what are the conditions for issuing them, what are the safeguards to avoid the violation of rights of individuals etc. The right to issue automated decision is based only on the authorisation norm stipulated in a specific act regulating the field of activity of administrative authority. The Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund is one of the administrative authorities which issues automated decisions in its field of activity. The aim of this paper is to examine and find out whether the automated decisions used by Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund comply with the general principles of administrative procedure and the EU rules on data protection but also to identify aspects where legal adjustment is needed and propose legislative amendments. The paper is based on the analysis of relevant scientific books, articles, legal acts, supported by relevant case law and other sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Estonian Journal of Archaeology is the property of Teaduste Akadeemia Kirjastus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper investigates the technical efficiency of conventional and organic dairy farms in Estonia in the period 2006-2015 using Farm Accountancy Data Network. We analyse self-selection into organic farming using the propensity-score-matching approach and explicitly test the hypothesis that organic and conventional farms apply homogeneous technology. We find that organic farms are less efficient. However, the difference in technical efficiency between organic and conventional farms decreases substantially when the technical efficiency assessment incorporates the use of the appropriate technology. The lack of growth of technical efficiency over time indicates that there might be a lack of knowledge in organic milk production that hinders its development. Since technical efficiency increases with farm size, it is important that organic dairy farms increase their scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandy beaches high in recreation value make up 16% of the over 4000 km long shoreline of Estonia. The shore processes associated with climate change have remarkably accelerated over recent decades. Many sandy shores have suffered from strong erosion, including an excellent former beach at Valgeranna. The jetties, which were built in the 1860s to protect the navigation channel of Port Pärnu from clogging, have prevented natural sediment transport along the coast from south to north. At the same time, the sandy beach in Pärnu is expanding, and part of the sand accumulates with strong storms also in between the jetties, reducing the width of the shipping channel. The channel needs regular dredging, but, so far, the dredged sediment has been taken far away to the open sea and accumulated on the seabed. The current paper addresses the possibilities of using that sand for beach restoration in destructed and eroded areas. An overview of the applied methods and measurements during field studies is given. The results of modelling the processes of wave activity and sediment transport are discussed. The recycling of shore sediments is an important measure in sustainable coastal zone management. Different options and scenarios are analysed in order to find the most reasonable ways to bring sand back onto beaches and stabilize natural processes. Support from the state by working out respective laws and regulations would be motivating as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the first comparative analysis of mortality transition, as part of the demographic transition, in all the three Baltic countries during the interwar period. We address the following research questions: Which type of mortality transition is exemplified by the interwar Baltic countries' mortality patterns? Was the mortality transition completed already before WWII? What were Baltic cross-country differences in the advancement of mortality and demographic transitions? We present and use newly constructed life tables for Lithuania, 1925–1934, and draw on the work of the Estonian demographer Kalev Katus (1955–2008), publishing for the first time his life tables for Latvia in 1925–1938. Main findings: The three countries were part of the Western model of mortality transition. However, the reduction of infant and childhood mortality was lagging in Lithuania. Women of childbearing age in Estonia and mainland Latvia, as a result of earlier fertility decline, experienced longer life expectancy due to the decreased mortality from birth complications. Nevertheless, in all three countries mortality transition was still incomplete by WWII. A comparison of death causes in 1925–1939 serves to corroborate the last conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In February 2023 98-year-old former President Jimmy Carter entered hospice care and began spending his remaining time at home with his family. This paper describes his personal, and The Carter Center's financial, support for applying psychoanalytic approaches to understanding and calming large-group conflicts in Estonia and Albania and helping to enrich psychoanalytic knowledge of large-group psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, open government data (OGD) was often used as a valuable crisis management resource. Unfortunately, there is limited research that explores how OGD can be used during times of crisis as a crisis management tool. To ensure that OGD can be used effectively in future crises, there is a need to understand how it may be used and what benefits its usage may bring. This paper brings new insight into this topic by conducting a comparative exploratory case study of three Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries – Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia, where OGD was used at different levels to help manage different aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this research, three contributions are made: (1) it integrates OGD into previous crisis management literature, offering new and initial conceptual propositions; (2) it demonstrates how OGD enables the co-creation of new services that create public value during times of crisis; and (3) it provides empirical examples of OGD-driven co-created services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first attempt to bring together the historians of science from the Baltic States took place in Riga in 1958. Prof. Pauls Stradiņš (1896-1958) initiated and organised a joint meeting for historians of science from Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania under the supervision of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. A program for future joint activities was developed, and the tradition of joint conferences--the Baltic Conference on History of Science (BCHS)--in each country followed. In 1991, the Baltic Association of the History and Philosophy of Science (BAHPS), uniting historians and philosophers of science of independent Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, took over organising the BCHS. The article aims to present an overview of the published results of the conference, which is partly based on the annotated bibliography (1958-1985) of the conference. The authors analyse the subject, dissemination and tradition of the BCHS, and discuss the role of academic institutions in organising the events. Since the overview was inspired by a decision to gather a complete set of books of conference abstracts, it also resulted in recommendations for conference organisers. Between 1958 and 2019, twenty-nine conferences were organised and 2,880 papers were presented. The next conference will take place in Finland in 2022. The main ideas of the article were presented at the 26th International Congress on History and Philosophy of Science in Prague in 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union (EU) presented a uniform List of Waste (LoW) in 2000 and last updated the technical guidance in 2018. The respective local regulations for the classification of waste in Estonia were set in 2015. Due to the changes in the regulations, it was necessary to review the properties of solid wastes generated in Estonian oil shale industry in light of hazardous properties. Therefore, the properties of the produced ash streams were analysed and the obtained results were compared to those for coal for being in accordance with common practices. The main objective of the paper was to answer the question whether the properties of oil shale (OS) are comparable to those of coal as coal and its combustion residues were not considered hazardous waste in Europe, but the respective counterparts of oil shale were. The EU guidelines suggest the use of calculations based on trace element concentrations for the classification of hazardous property (HP) 14 - ecotoxic. Therefore, an extensive study was conducted to investigate the hazardous properties of all the solid residues from power plants operating on oil shale and shale oil production facilities. This paper describes one part of it - the trace element compositions of the major ash streams produced in the Estonian oil shale industry and focuses on their comparison with data available for coal ash samples. The findings of the study showed that, similarly to coal, oil shale ash (OSA) should not be considered as ecotoxic due to the low concentrations of trace elements. It was found that the investigated oil shale ash samples exhibited a very similar composition and properties to those of coal, and as a result of a larger study, from the beginning of 2020, oil shale ash and other oil shale thermal treatment residues are not classified as hazardous waste in Estonia, thereby initiating policy changes that affect most areas of the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social entrepreneurship is a relatively new concept in Estonia and measuring the social impact of enterprises is not yet the norm. It has gained more awareness during recent years and therefore several support instruments have been established. The aim of the paper is to provide a framework for impact analysis of an incubator and analysis of the evaluation of the program for social enterprises according to the designed framework. The incubation program itself was piloted at a higher education institution. The paper addresses the concept of social enterprises, new social venture creation, incubation by a higher education institution and its impact on social enterprises. While the development of enterprises is a common topic, the research on social impact incubators is still scarce. The study is characterised by a descriptive and an exploratory study design. The paper explores the social enterprise incubator through mixed-method two-stage content analysis of the applications and self-analysis reports of the participants of the incubator. In the process of the content analysis, qualitative data analysis is used. Finally, the paper concludes that the incubator was successful as it helped the social enterprises to become sustainable and enhanced their social impact. The limitation of the research is the evaluation design which addresses measuring the successfulness of the incubation immediately after the end of the programme and not in the long-term. The study contributes to the literature on measuring the successfulness of incubation processes and on the practice of incubating new social ventures with social impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper offers the author's vision of the political and organizational problem of using modern blockchain-based platform solutions in public governance. The aim is substantiating potential of decentralized information platforms as a new tool of public governance to promote conscious participation of people in public politics and democracy. Based on the study of the experience of the UK, Estonia, India, and Ukraine in platform governance, the author asserts that the modern world practice of using centralized digital platforms is conditioned by the comfort for citizens as the main value, thereby replacing the real democratic values. The paper offers an original comparison of 15 key parameters of platforms and author's comparison of decentralized platforms with two other main forms of providing public administrative services by criteria as functionality, security, and cost. Unlike promising decentralized platforms, government centralized platforms are a mechanism for removing citizens from conscious governance by their states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 1948 the first academic session of the Tallinn State Conservatoire took place. The organisation of this event was directly related to the resolution of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union "On Muradeli's Opera The Great Friendship", which was issued on 10 February 1948 and marked a significant increase in ideological pressure on the musical life of the USSR. In accordance with the demands of the Party, the session concentrated on (re)evaluating Estonia's musical heritage according to the principles of Marxist-Leninist aesthetics and on seeking the relationship between Estonian and Russian culture. This article examines the papers of the session from the perspective of the expression of Soviet ideology. One of the strategies of the Soviet regime for implementing its worldview was the re-evaluation of the past by rewriting history. From the point of view of Estonian music history, the Conservatoire's session papers were one of the first documented pieces of evidence of such a reassessment. The purpose of the article is therefore to analyse what elements of Soviet ideology are present in the texts and how and by which means the authors associated them with Estonian music history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adscripti glebae is a condition where peasants legally belong to a particular landholding. Its purpose was to maintain a stable labour force at the disposal of the landholder. Peasants who did not abide by this immobility requirement were termed runaways. Runaways have been episodically mentioned in medieval and early modern social history, particularly in demographic history, urban history, and histories of serfdom. Yet they have rarely been the central focus of historical studies. This paper examines the runaway on the background of the particular conditions of serfdom in the provinces of Estland and Livland. The paper describes how serfdom was practiced in these provinces, proceeds to peasant agency by considering the numerous diverse reasons for running away and outlines the reasoning behind the efforts of both nobility and government aimed at maintaining the status quo. The court records of a few extradition cases are highlighted to illustrate aspects of the issue of keeping serfs bound to the land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the integration of artificial intelligence within Estonia's education system, showcasing the country's global reputation for digital innovation. Utilising the method of the case study and the method of document analysis, we explore not only the practical outcomes, challenges, and strategies related to the adoption of artificial intelligence in the Estonian education system but also its economic implications. The research highlights artificial intelligence's potential to lead to cost efficiencies and economic benefits for the education sector. Furthermore, we address the critical issue of fostering artificial intelligence literacy among students, schools, and universities, pinpointing data privacy and ethical considerations as key areas of concern. The strategies implemented by educational institutions to mitigate these challenges and promote a comprehensive understanding of artificial intelligence are also discussed. In conclusion, the paper underscores artificial intelligence's transformative potential in reshaping education, offering guidance for other nations and academic entities aiming to successfully integrate artificial intelligence-based technologies. Emphasis is placed on the importance of a supportive policy framework and a solid ethical foundation to navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence adoption and ensure responsible use, while also considering the economic impact on the educational ecosystem and the labour market at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are no systematic approaches available in current specialist literature when it comes to the optimization of the process of drying out hardwood species of wood, such as birch, aspen, or black alder, all of which find industrial uses in Estonia. In order to investigate the drying of these three hardwood species, this paper has made use of an experimental and theoretical drying optimization methodology which was developed previously for pine sapwood within the framework of the EIC Grant No. 16200 project. The same methodology was used to determine the critical diffusion coefficient and corresponding critical relative humidity levels (RH) in relation to the surrounding air, with those levels being important from the point of view of drying optimization, and calculating those levels separately for each species of hardwood. For alder it was found that the critical diffusion coefficient is Dcr = 36.57 * (10−4 mm2 s−1), while for aspen the figure was Dcr = 30.71 * (10−4 mm2 s−1), and for birch it was Dcr = 16.35 * (10−4 mm2 s−1). It was found that the time dependencies for the total deformation of different tree species tend to differ considerably, although the same drying regime was used for all of those tree species which were incorporated into the experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fast growth in the Estonian economy, unemployment has remained high for extended periods of time. This paper analyses and quantifies the mismatch between registered unemployment and vacancies and how it has contributed to unemployment in the Estonian labour market at the (county) regional, occupational, and industrial levels for the time span 2011-2021. We apply the search and matching theory and the mismatch index framework, and our findings show that around 4–5 per cent of potential hires have been lost in the Estonian labour market because of mismatch. The contribution of mismatch to the level of unemployment is roughly 5–8 per cent, meaning that if the match between unemployed individuals and vacancies was efficient, unemployment would have been 5–8 per cent lower. Mismatch has the smallest impact at the regional level and the largest at the industrial level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romania and Estonia both have young fintech ecosystems that are growing rapidly and closing the gap with the more developed ecosystem in Western Europe. Although Romania is larger both in terms of population and GDP, the Romanian fintech ecosystem is almost 4 times smaller than the Estonian one. In this paper the author examines what are the factors that are contributing to the faster development of the Estonian ecosystem and whether some of these factors can be replicated in other countries, besides Romania. My results indicate that factors such as a government that is open to innovation and working with startups, a more international mindset of the startups and better collaboration between fintech startups themselves and between the startups and universities can accelerate the development of the ecosystem and help the startups grow faster. My results both confirm existing studies on the subject and can help the stakeholders in the ecosystem better work together to accelerate the development of the ecosystem and, ultimately, better service their clients. These success factors that have contributed to the faster development of the Estonian ecosystem can most, if not all, be replicated in Romania and other countries in the region to achieve similar, if not better results. The silver line between all this factor is a change in mindset that allows for a better collaboration between the stakeholders in the ecosystem, but also for improved individual business models and more innovative products and services that we can all benefit from. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the applicability of using limiting phase angle temperatures, measured in the Dynamic Shear Rheometer, for low temperature ranking of performance, in comparison with limiting low temperature grades in accordance with AASHTO TP 122-16 extended Bending Beam Rheometer method. During this study, also other low-temperature test methods were compared to each other. For this purpose, 13 asphalt binders were sourced from around North-Eastern Europe, twelve of which are currently used throughout Estonia as well as the neighbouring countries. The thirteenth was a highquality Laguna Venezuela binder that is no longer commercially available in the region but was deemed suitable for comparison. Samples were tested to measure their needle penetration, Superpave Grades, Fraass breaking points, AASHTO TP 122-16 limiting low temperature grades and limiting 30° phase angle temperatures. Additionally, a correlation found in previous work was applied to the set of samples studied in this paper. Of the binders tested, the low temperature behaviour of the Venezuelan binder stands out with better performance. The analysis suggests that the twelve commercially available binders are from a similar source which was observed through their tendency to undergo thermo-reversible aging. The study shows that the phase angle approach provides a reasonable surrogate for the AASHTO TP 122-16 limiting low temperature grade. However, the latter should currently remain the preferred approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]