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Project Management is one of the main supply chains today. The project manager's responsibility is to develop a project team but he is focused on the application of methods and tools and doesn't take into consideration the fact that the human factor has a 70% impact on project success. On the other hand, Neuroleadership is a powerful tool that can be used by Project Management Professionals to understand better the human factors that impact on the project lifecycle. The purpose of that paper is to explore the application of the RELISH Model as team development tool by Project Managers in Bulgaria. The research is done among project management professionals in Bulgaria, project managers and project team members. The survey method with questions for quantitative analysis is used and the primary data is obtained directly from the respondents by a web-based questionnaire created in Google Forms and distributed by the Researcher's LinkedIn and Facebook personal profiles, and PMI Bulgaria Chapter communication channels. This study reports Seeing the facts as the most satisfied need with mean 3.8, followed by Leading the pack (3.76) and Hope for the future (3.66). Relatedness and Interpersonal Connection means are almost equal around 3.5. Expression is the need with the lowest mean level of 3.33. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching methods in secondary education have undergone significant changes due to COVID-19. The paper examines the positive impact of investing in education through the Strategic Framework for the Development of Education, Training and Learning in the Republic of Bulgaria (2021-2030) and digital technologies. The aim of this paper is to identify key challenges and relevant solutions through a study of teaching methods in secondary education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Review of International Affairs (04866096) is the property of Institute of International Politics & Economics 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.)

Virtualization and online engineering of services are emerging as key themes that will profoundly influence society and industry in the near and distant future. This paper focuses on the transformation of administrative services in universities into virtual services through online engineering. This transition presents challenges not only to universities in Bulgaria but also worldwide. Given the significant impact of technology on the daily operations of universities, it is evident that the digital divide is an issue worthy of investigation. Disparities in the adoption of online administrative services can and will lead to inconsistencies in the economic development of universities. This article aims to explore some of the challenges associated with virtualization and online engineering of administrative services in universities and offers insights into how to address them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Bulgaria has mobilized significant financial resources to overcome the consequences of the pandemic on the economy, labour market and household wellbeing. The 60/40 measure, under which employers from affected sectors can receive financial support to retain existing jobs, became a significant element of these efforts. With a budget of almost 2 billion BGN, the measure supported the retention of over 340 000 jobs. From a research point of view, however, its social impacts, including on labour market inequalities, remain insufficiently clear. This paper tries to contribute to the fulfillment of this gap by putting the results of the implementation of the 60/40 measure in the context of the problem about the labour market segmentation. Based on freely accessible data published by state institutions, the paper discusses the existence of some disbalances linked to the implementation of the 60/40 measure which could deepen the labour market inequalities and expand the segment of jobs with worsening wage adequacy. In that regard, areas of future research and possible improvements of the approach towards the study of the impacts of the measure have been identified. Moreover, the discussed problem areas shed light on some aspects regarding the role of the state and public policies in shaping the labour market segmentation in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational accreditation guarantees the quality of the educational processes, products and services. Both the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA) in Bulgaria and Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ARACIS) in Romania are members of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education ENQA). They follow strict professional standards, methodologies, procedures, and criteria. It is common that the quality management systems in universities are based on ISO 9001. The specific standard for educational organizations such as universities and research institutes ISO 21001 is far less popular than ISO 9001. The purpose of this paper is to highlight opportunities for improvement of the internal quality management systems of educational organizations based on international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the tax authorities is to collect sufficient revenue to cover expenditure and to ensure that all taxpayers contribute to the government's funds in accordance with the provisions of the Tax Code. The aim of this paper is oriented towards a comprehensive and comparative assessment of the tax administration in Romania and that of Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary, as well as the positioning of Romania within the European Union in terms of the effects of tax policies. The present analysis is largely based on statistical data made public by eurostate.com. Regarding our country, in the medium and long term, a greater fiscal/budgetary adjustment is needed to ensure fiscal/budgetary sustainability and to face new challenges. It is clear that a large share of this large adjustment must come through measures that generate tax and budget revenue growth, with budget expenditure on an upward trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residential construction, as part of the construction sector, has developed quite dynamically over the last twenty years. This paper examines the dynamics of new housing construction over a seventeen-year period. The panel dataset includes household-related factors of demographic, social, and economic character regarding the demand for newly built housing estate. Different specifications of econometric panel models for the dynamics of new housing construction at district level in Bulgaria are built and estimated. The results show that the dependence of housing area of newly built dwellings by regions in Bulgaria is directly proportional to natural increase, migration, average annual wage, and number of pupils, and inversely proportional to unemployment. Interestingly, the variable “net enrollment rate of children in kindergartens” did not show the expected effect on the growth of newly built housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This study examines the relationships between hospitality work experience factors and employees' preference to work in a chain or independent hotel. Methodology/Design/Approach - Quantitative data were collected from hotel employees in Bulgaria who worked in independent and chain hotels. A total of 150 valid responses were used to conduct factor and regression analyses. Findings - The results illustrate that chain hotels provide a better set of operational standards and guidelines, more and better training than independent ones. They also give more opportunities to their employees for career development, better job security and work experience, but competition among employees in chain hotels is higher than in independent properties, and their employees' salaries are not always more competitive. The factor analysis showed the existence of five factors. Additionally, 'Communication and decision-making' and 'Resources and planning' were more important than 'Remuneration and working conditions' and 'Training and development' in shaping employees' preferences. However, 'Workload and stress' was not an important driver of respondents' choice. Finally, demographic variables had no role in shaping respondents' preferences. Originality of the research - This paper is one of the first to examine the factors that influence hotel employees' preferences for working in chains or independent hotels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Araucaria is the property of Araucaria-Revista Iberoamericana de Filosofia, Politica y Humanidades 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 aims at measuring the efficiency of the digital economy in EU countries. For that purpose, data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used. Sub-dimensions of the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) are used as inputs and the Sustainable Development Goals Index (SDGI) as an output. The results revealed that Bulgaria, Italy and Romania are the most efficient digital economies in terms of human capital; Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Lithuania, Poland and Portugal in terms of connectivity; Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania in terms of integration of digital technology; and Romania in terms of digital public services. The result of tobit regression analysis showed that not all the indicators of the DESI dimensions positively influence the efficiency of the digital economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sociologija/Sociology: Journal of Sociology, Social Psychology & Social Anthropology is the property of MOD International 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.)

Global environmental problems and climate changes in recent decades have brought to the fore the questions related to the sustainable development of economies and the impact of these processes on the long-term returns of widely diversified portfolios. Consideration of all risk factors and potential opportunities is key to the investments of pension funds, which are called to act “in the best interest” of beneficiaries, providing secure and stable income. To unlock their potential to finance the economy’s low-carbon transition, pension funds must be convinced that the financial characteristics of green assets match the profile they are looking for and have a good understanding of their benefits and risks. The current paper aims to research the effect of including green assets in the portfolio of voluntary private pension funds in Bulgaria, applying the UPM/LPM model for portfolio optimization. The model is highly configurable to multiple constraints, operates without assumptions about the distribution of asset returns, and “captures” the various utility functions of investors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Two Homelands / Dve Domovini is the property of Scientific Research Centre of Slovenian Academy of Sciences & Arts 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 presents the inclusion of new innovative methods in medical education in Bulgaria. Recently, schools around the world have had to move to distance learning for their students. The use of modern technologies in the virtual classroom today is the most important part of the educational process. Effective modern devices, user-friendly platforms and appropriate educational pedagogical methods prove to be the key to excellent training. The inclusion of virtual teaching methods and serious educational games contributes to the conduct of high-level training and the formation of future medics of knowledge, skills and experience necessary for the formation of their professional qualities. The paper presents the results of a survey conducted among trainers and trainees at medical universities in Bulgaria. The analysis of the results shows the readiness of teachers and students to apply the methods of virtual learning and serious games in the educational process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The workforce with low and average skills is today very strongly impacted, feeling pressure on the one hand due to the inequality and vulnerability in work that it is forced to face, in the context of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, and, on the other hand, due to the economic situation and the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. All these irreversible changes in society generate the restructuring of the social division of labor. The aim of the paper is to identify the transformations at the level of the employment registered in the period 2019-2020, at the level of two developing states, members of the European Union: Bulgaria and Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archaeologia Lituana 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.)

This paper studies the factors which lead to budget imbalance and the impact of public deficit, public debt and gross fixed capital formation on economic growth for three Eastern Europe countries, using a data set from 1997 until 2020. A special focus is set on both the relationship between growth and the public deficit and on the fiscal behavior Greece, Bulgaria and Romania adopted to face the challenges brought about by the crisis started in 2009 and the pandemics from 2020. The outcome reveals a positive strong correlation between the deficit and economic growth only in the case of Bulgaria, while for the other two countries, whose deficit was much higher during the whole period of time, the impact is not that significant. Nevertheless, the government consolidated gross debt and the gross fixed capital formation proved to be relevant factors of influence for economic growth in all three cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a statistical research was done on the stock of foreign direct investments in the period 1995-2018 for Bulgaria and Romania. Several valid econometric models have been found that explain the determinants influencing the evolution of the stock of FDI inputs in the two countries. The stock of of foreign direct investments was used as a dependent variable, calculated as a percentage of gross domestic product, and as an independent variables, indicators of international trade, economic trends and components of the signaling indicator given by economic freedom indices. It was found that in the case of Bulgaria, the increase in exports, imports, trade balance and balance of payments lead to an increase in the stock of FDI. Also, a higher score of the components of economic freedom, which is characterized by a business environment as free as possible, by a level of taxation as low as possible, as well as by a diminished degree of corruption, lead to an increase in the stock of FDI inputs in the Bulgarian economy. In the case of Romania, it turned out that exports, trade balance, balance of payments have a positive influence on the stock of FDI, as well as a low level of taxation, both in the case of personal income and corporations, lead to growth stock of FDI. Contrary to Bulgaria, an increase in imports leads to a decrease in the stock of FDI in Romania. Finally, it is found that the indices of diversification of imports negatively influence the stock of FDI in both countries, which means that a greater divergence of imports from the world model leads to a decrease in the stock of FDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing consumption of resources and the environmental consequences that result from it require a change in the economic model. The concept of a circular economy is part of this change. The objective of the paper is to outline the potential and outlooks of development of circular economy in Bulgaria, as well as demonstrate the need for adequate measures on part of public authorities to encourage this change. The research is based on a primary survey of Bulgarian employers’ attitudes towards pursuing a corporate policy relating to the principles of sustainable development, which has been conducted among 200 enterprises. Statistical, sociological and analytical methods have been used. The analysis reveals untapped potential not only with regard to a more efficient use of resources, in both the private and public sectors, but also in terms of underestimating the significance of the issue. Firms could significantly reduce their costs, improve their compatibility and their export potential if they apply new business models and new innovative technologies, which are both resource-efficient and eco-friendly. The research and analytical methods used for the development of the paper involve graphical and table presentation of statistical and empirical data and survey of available legal and analytical research on the topic. The conclusions reached reveal a number of obstacles slowing down the transition to a real circular economy model. That would require speeding up the reform in the ecofiscal and innovative government policies. The paper’s added value lies not only in the analytical examination of the issues, but above all in deriving recommendations for future actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sociologija/Sociology: Journal of Sociology, Social Psychology & Social Anthropology is the property of MOD International 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.)

Despite their relevance, in-depth studies of diverse effects and factors of sludge utilization in Bulgarian agriculture are at an early stage. This paper presents results of a large-scale study aimed at determining socio-economic effects of sludge utilization in Bulgarian agriculture. First, an approach is presented to assess the multilateral effects, efficiencies and factors of sludge utilization in agriculture. Then various factors stimulating and limiting the utilization of sludge in Bulgarian farms are identified. Results of a case study of a holding using sludge as fertilizer are then presented. Based on a qualitative analysis of regulations and institutional structure, and surveys with managers and experts of urban wastewater treatment plants, and farmers using and not-using sludge, the institutional, political, organizational, personal, educational, informational, social, economic, and environmental factors influencing agricultural sludge utilization in two regions (Sofia and Burgas) are identified. Impact factors are generally divided: factors influencing the behavior of agents, and factors determining the type and extent of the effects of sludge use in agriculture. Research is to continue and deepen to establish the economic, sectoral and regional specificities on the basis of more representative information from all participants and interested parties in effective utilization of sludge in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daylight-Saving Time (DST) was introduced in Bulgaria on April 1st, 1979. Since 1997, DST begins at 3 a.m. on the last Sunday in March and lasts until 3 a.m. on the last Sunday in October. In 1999, daylight saving time began at 3 a.m. on the last Sunday in March and lasted until 4 a.m. on the last Sunday in October. The original idea of ​​daylight-saving time was focused on saving electricity and using the light part of the day, but as a more serious argument at the moment is the impact of time change on the health of citizens, MEPs decided to stop this practice in 2021 [1] The paper presents data from an Electronic Health Record system (EHR), developed for Central Emergency Help Services in Sofia Municipality, which stores each emergency call on the territory of the district, and for the purposes of the study data were studied and processed as follows: number of emergency calls 1 week before the time change, the week after the time change and one additional week for a two-year period of the system's operation. The results showed an increase of the number of emergency calls on all the days of the first week with a peak on the first and last working days and a decrease in the second week regardless of the season. The results support the decision to cancel the time change due to the fact that it affects the health status of people negatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In February 2020, the Bulgarian government established the National Operational Headquarters for Combating the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bulgaria. General Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, a military doctor, professor at the Military Medical Academy in Sofia, was appointed as its chairman. This paper presents a case study on the public image of Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, its readings and interpretations by the audience, and the specific fan culture that emerged around his media persona during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria. Placed in the spotlight of the media at the very beginning of the crisis, Mutafchiyski became extremely popular as the public figure most strongly associated with the fight against the spread of the disease in the country. Around his media persona, shaped in the public imagination as a wartime leader, a fan culture has grown with all its characteristic features and dimensions: fans and anti-fans, affirmative and transformative fandom. As a fictional character, Mutafchiyski has appeared in numerous forms of vernacular creativity: poems, songs, material objects, jokes, fake news, conspiracy theories, and memes. In this way, the General has become the main character of Bulgarian pandemic folklore and the focal point of a participatory pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On July 10 2020 Bulgaria joined the preparatory mechanism for the Eurozone ERM II, but the opinions expressed are still divided. The author’s opinion is that in the debate for or against Bulgaria joining the Eurozone, the actual data provides the strongest arguments. Economic indicators and facts about five former socialist countries that are already in the Eurozone are presented in the paper. There are solid arguments in favor of joining in the analysis of the three Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as Slovenia and Slovakia. These countries’ development as part of the monetary union and their economic indicators after this important step show their goal for real convergence with developed European economies. The author accepts two issues as especially important – what happens to inflation in these economies after joining the Eurozone and what the comparison concerning real convergence shows. Croatia, along with Bulgaria, has become a part of ERM II and the Banking Union, hence why it is also included in the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and the impacts of anthropogenic activity on climate in Europe is documented in many scientific publications but the investigations about climate impact and particularly urban climate are relatively few for Bulgaria. The present paper investigates the variability of seasonal and annual air temperature in Sofia city and surrounding areas (towns Bankya and Bozhurishte) for the period 1961-2015 based on the linear regression method. In order to investigate the urban heat island (UHI) intensity, the air temperature difference between the city and its surroundings is calculated. The study shows increase of air temperature difference between the city and suburban territories during the recent years. The linkages between the observed variability of air temperature difference and atmospheric circulation and urbanization are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents preliminary results from a sequence of microsimulation exercises implementing a selection of initiatives for income policy adjustments in Bulgaria. These initiatives originate from various income policy reform proposals that were publicly discussed during the 2017 parliamentary election campaigns. The paper provides empirical assessment of the possible budgetary effects of these proposals, assuming that these reforms are implemented in year 2017. The calculations are performed in EUROMOD - the tax-benefit microsimulation model for EU countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper summarizes the trends in the labour productivity index of the world, European (EU-28) and Bulgarian economies for the 2000-2019 period. It represents a prediction of the International Labour Organization for its development until 2024. The changes in the labour productivity of Bulgaria and the “Industry” sector are examined for the indicated period. They are determined on the basis of current prices and of 2015 prices per employee and per hour worked. The tendencies in the change of the labour productivity for the “Mining and Quarrying“ sub-sector for the 2008-2018 period are described, based on the operating income per employee and on the value added at factor cost per employee, and some conclusions are drawn. Comparison of the realized labour productivity in almost all economic activities in Bulgaria for 2018 is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent researches have shown that there were about 7,300 German citizens with a valid Bulgarian registration certificate in Bulgaria at the end of 2017. This paper introduces several facts and observations about some of them, gathered during a pilot study between 2017 and 2019. Besides the classical ethnographic methods of conducting 40 interviews and observing gatherings, the methods of social network analysis, virtual ethnography and netnography have also been applied as research tools. On the whole, it can be said that Germans come to Bulgaria for different reasons; according to their motives they can be classified as labor, student, family, and retirement migrants. They all tend to create community structures, the less informal of which are social network groups. Modern social media tools provide an opportunity to form virtual groups through different internet-based networks. The results of the research show that the most popular and the most frequently used among the virtual groups are Facebook groups. The research analyzed 16 Facebook groups concerned with the life of German migrants in Bulgaria. Some of them were formed in order to share information about events related to the German community as well as to the folklore and cultural landscapes of Bulgaria. Other Facebook groups facilitate the communication regarding the organization of meetings (such as a Stammtisch, i.e. round-table with fellow regulars) outside the virtual space. Social network analysis can also be done from an ego-centered perspective, when we analyze the social network of a given person with the ego in the center, his/her alteri (the persons connected with the ego) in the periphery, and the relational ties between them. We can thus obtain information about other people (friends, relatives, colleagues, etc.) in their everyday life and the interaction with them through face-to-face and online communication. Data about the egocentric social networks of seven respondents has been obtained through the program VennMaker. The analyses show their social networks' alteri, including their ethnic origin and type of relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to assess the effects of three mechanisms of the Common Agricultural Policy incentivizing environmentally friendly farming practices, on a model cereal farm's environmental and economic performance. Based on linear goal programming method and input data on the farm's size, production system, crop yield and gross margin per crop, the model optimizes the farm's production structure. The results indicate that the availability of support is essential for the economic results of cereal farms in South-Central Bulgaria. Generally, higher gross margin corresponds to higher greenhouse gas emissions and vice versa. Nevertheless, the addition of policy support decreases the degree of this dependency by improving the profitability of some less GHG-intensive crops. This allows farmers to consider more environmentally-friendly crops and production practices without having to cut profits. An optimal balance between farms' environmental and economic performance is crucial in order for agriculture to continue to support vital ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the development of a new theoretical model (approach) which examines the outcomes of the fragmentation of property and the powers over a given property defined as a “conflict between utility and efficiency when a property is fragmented.” Furthermore, the paper presents the possibility of applying this model in the regulation of some worrying tendencies, observed in the construction sector in Bulgaria, as well as around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern trends in teaching and learning aim to use effective methods by which students better understand the learning material and are more involved in the learning process. These methods should take into account the ability of today's students to work multifunctional and quickly process large amounts of information. The introduction of modern technology in the classroom is the most important change in education now. This article examines ways to provide specialized medical information in an intriguing interactive way, geared towards effective support for medical students. The paper presents new methods included in the training of medical students in Bulgaria: Video algorithms that show didactically in detail the necessary sequence of actions to perform a particular medical manipulation, including everything they need to know and can make the student achieve this skill. In order to better master the series of actions involved in the manipulation and the acquisition of preliminary experience, it is proposed to include Simulation Games in the medical training. The use of Serious Simulation Games in medical training helps to improve the skills of future medics and to build self-confident specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ekonomski Vjesnik is the property of Ekonomski Vjesnik 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 presented paper is written on the basis of an empirical research project focused on the use of rhetorical figures in tourism advertising slogans. The study aims to analyze the tourism advertising in Bulgarian media. The use of rhetorical figures within tourism and non-tourism advertising is investigated and comparisons are made. On that base the "rhetorical profile" of Bulgarian tourism advertising is outlined. Another important direction of the research is the analysis of slogan length -- the author measured slogan length within 9 product categories and found that tourism slogans are among the longest. The paper may help future studies devoted on the relationship rhetorical figures' usage -- advertising effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the dependence of emerging European stock markets (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine) on global risk factors (changes in gold prices, US implied volatility index and oil prices) based on daily data from 6 January 2004 to 31 December 2013. We employ a quantile regression model to analyse how the global factors affect stock returns under different market circumstances, such as bearish (lower quantiles), normal (intermediate quantile) and bullish (higher quantiles) times. Empirical results reveal that the response of stock markets is heterogeneous; larger equity markets, such as Poland, Russia and Turkey, are highly sensitive to the global factors while Bulgaria is the least sensitive. Overall, the dependence on gold and oil prices is positive while the dependence on US stock market uncertainty is negative. Additionally, in most of the cases, the dependence intensifies during bear market conditions, in which stock prices fall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving the goals of the European Union for sustainable growth and the transition to a knowledge-based economy requires a highly qualified, socially integrated young human resource that can meet the challenges of the future. In this context, the category of NEET young people (Not in Education, Employment or Training) represents for the EU an untapped resource, with both economic and social implications. The paper presents the evolution of the main indicators that characterize the phenomenon of NEET during 2009-2018, with emphasis on the situation in Romania and Bulgaria. These two states, besides the phenomenon of migration among young people, also record significant rates of the NEET category, both with negative implications on national economies. The results of the statistical analysis converge towards a tendency towards a global improvement of the phenomenon, but with different evolutions in its structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to investigate the white cloth in the contemporary urban Bulgarian wedding in anthropological perspective. The white cloth as a ritual item in the contemporary urban wedding ceremony is a simple white rectangular fabric, usually made of cotton, which looks like a path on which the newlyweds have to walk during the wedding celebration. Immediately after entering the restaurant in which the wedding party is held, they step on the cloth. At this point a number of symbolic actions are performed, involving ritual items and characters. Based on profound fieldwork materials gathered by the author, the paper discusses the fertility function of the cloth and its protective qualities regarding the methods of the functioning of the cloth as a ritual object in the sphere of symbolic thinking today. In this paper, this ritual object is interpreted also in a social context, in the sphere of ritual practises in contemporary and traditional weddings, as an item by means of which people consciously or unconsciously fix a boundary between the public and private spheres of their existence; on the other hand, it is analysed as an object that metaphorically expresses kinship links. The author argues that, as a result of the changed socio-cultural characteristics of the Bulgarian society today, the tradition of close kin relations, which is expressed through objects, gradually loses significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After heavy rains and rapid thaw in February 2012, the dam of an artificial lake broke and the water flooded the village Biser. It took the lives of six people, destroyed 56 houses and damaged many others. What does this flood tell us about society is the general question of this paper. Empirically, it is based on ethnographic fieldwork in Biser and in other Bulgarian villages and small towns that have been flooded over the past ten years as well as on the analysis of publications in the media. The first section of the paper uses as a starting point the conceptual definition of natural disasters as phenomena that occur at the intersection of nature and society. It shows that political, economic and social practices have a share in the causation of floods. Mismanagement or neglect of infrastructure, improper or unauthorized use of reservoirs, illegal exploitation of sand and gravel from the rivers, and disposal of household waste and building rubble in the rivers belong to the “potentially destructive agents” that accumulate problems, create unsafe conditions and generate “natural” disasters. From another theoretical point of view, disasters are conceptualized as “empirical windows upon the inner working of society” that give us insights into values, attitudes, practices, and processes which are dominant in a particular society. In the Bulgarian case, these include indifference and even irresponsibility of politicians, experts, and “common” people towards the public sphere (outdoor space, infrastructure, regulations, laws, common interests, welfare), lack of long-term planning, and focus on short-term profits that is characterized by both disrespect of legal norms and disregard of safety rules and measures. The second section deals with the political use of rescue operations, social assistance, and reconstruction in Biser. Disaster management was simultaneously carried out as a political image campaign and reconstruction became an arena for political activism. The central government pushed itself into the spotlight in the role of local crisis manager. Using the media, politicians focused public attention on their assisting and rebuilding projects (material and financial aid, compensation, reconstruction of damaged houses, construction of new houses). The third section shows how aid and reconstruction caused a new disaster, a social one. The recovering projects and the resource allocation turned into “destructive agents” that triggered social conflicts. The initially single group of flood-affected people was disintegrated into several groups that were defined by the type and the amount of material and financial aid they received. Envy, mutual distrust, competition and even hostility broke out. Since the reconstruction followed a top-down approach and was guided by political decisions, it largely neglected local social reality. It did not return the village back to normal, as the government wanted, but rather it reshaped and restructured the village both physically and socially. Thus the reconstruction has some similarities with the 25 years long post-socialist transition: It created winners and losers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to review from a regulatory perspective the major trends in the development of the bank services sector in Bulgaria. The analysis covers the period from the first years of transition until present and stresses the importance of regulatory issues. The objective of the research is to prove that bank regulation was a key factor in sustaining the financial sector both during the transition from a centrally planned into the market economy and also today, when it is being confronted with the global financial crisis. The research methodology includes an overview of the research work on financial services development in transition economies and a case study with a retrospective analysis on the development of bank services in Bulgaria in the 90s as well as on current credit portfolio tendencies and their future prospects. The paper highlights the role of the Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and their contribution to the progress made in the financial services market in Bulgaria. The research results underline the importance of a solid regulatory base for sustaining the development of the financial market in the country and for sound financial management of the bank services sector in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The designation and implementation of Natura 2000 sites faced many challenges across most of the member states in the EC. Some related to consultation and involvement of stakeholders, funding the conservation objectives and providing compensation to land owners, farmers and foresters for restrictions on their land use. The national governments adopted different approaches to address these issues. The aim of the paper is to assess the governance approach for agricultural land in Natura 2000 in Bulgaria with a focus on the contribution of the Natura 2000 compensatory payments. The results suggest that the measure is instrumental in mitigating farmers' frustration and in providing support to them; although its contribution to the favourable conservation status is still uncertain. Another weakness is the lack of awareness on Natura 2000 location and restrictions as well as on nature-friendly farming practices among farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to present the data from our own collecting and, by analyzing the whole list of records, to trace a synthetic outline of the current and potential distribution and threat status of Lumbricus meliboeus in the whole European territory. This paper records an extension of the known distribution of Lumbricus meliboeus to the east, across Tara Mt. to Rila Mt. Such a discovery is of a considerable faunistic interest: it represents the first record for Bulgaria and Serbia and the easternmost one reported so far. Taking into account these new localities of Lumbricus meliboeus, it is evident that the extent of occurrence for this species has increased. Considering that this species is mostly characteristic of the mountain ranges in Europe, we elaborate its possible moving routes throughout Europe and assume that Lumbricus meliboeus apparently has three distant centres of diffusion. The major centre involves the Alps area and in addition to it there are two other less important extensions which occupy the Balkans and Franco-Iberian regions. The Alpine region, as the major distribution center, has a high responsibility for the global survival of Lumbricus meliboeus. The rarity analysis we have applied shows that Lumbricus meliboeus has a high vulnerability index (VI=2) and that it belongs to rare species in terms of abundance and habitat specificity. According to the IUCN (2011) Red List Categories analysis, we have included Lumbricus meliboeus in the category Vulnerable (B2 biv,v and ciii,iv) on a global level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores certain dimensions of the transformation since 1989 in attitudes towards the environment in one largely rural locality of southwest Bulgaria. There is something of a paradox apparent in rural attitudes and behaviours to the environment: nakedly expropriative on the one hand whilst simultaneously deeply concerned and celebratory on the other. Exploration of this apparent paradox is the primary objective of this paper. The authors present findings from a decennial survey initiative focusing on environmental attitudes and behaviours in a mountainous Bulgarian locality. Results from 1999 and 2011 are presented side by side with a view to identifying temporal and (local) geographical trends in environmental views, attitudes, opinions and behaviours. An analytical perspective, drawing on political ecology and post-structural social theory, is developed and applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sociologija/Sociology: Journal of Sociology, Social Psychology & Social Anthropology is the property of MOD International 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 present paper renders the results of a geomorphology research performed in North-Eastern Bulgaria. It focusses on the geomorphology and the main stages of evolution of the Beli Lom River. On the base of field research, geology and geophysics research, detailed analysis of the specialized literature, it is concluded that the formation of this impressing relict erosion relief can be explained only with the factor-geology time. It formed long before the limits of the Quaternary. The aim of the present paper is to draw scientists' attention on the issues regarding the Pleistocene -- Holocene paleoclimatic conditions and relief in North -- East Bulgaria and South -- East Romania so to clarify its evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tourism & Management Studies is the property of Escola Superior de Gestao, Hotelaria e Turismo, Universidade do Algarve 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.)

Abstract: The dynamics of the dissolved oxygen in water bodies is the result of complex interactions involving physical and biological processes. Understanding how the balance of these influences determines the amount of oxygen available for living organisms is a key factor to interpret the water body conditions, and eventually to use dissolved oxygen as an indicator of the water quality. In this paper we present a Qualitative Reasoning model developed to improve understanding of changes in the amount of dissolved oxygen in different segments of the river Mesta in Bulgaria. Effects on dissolved oxygen result from changes in physical, chemical and biological processes induced both by natural and anthropogenic activities within the watershed. To explore the possibility of establishing a landmark value that may change according to specific conditions, we developed the concept of flexible value mapping, which dynamically captures changes in the dependencies between the landmark value and the values of other quantities as the conditions of the system change during the simulations. The paper also discusses the concept of dominance of a specific process over other competing processes affecting a quantity. With the model described here, we aim to discuss possible solutions to interesting modelling problems and to provide the community of ecological modellers support for educational activities and water resources management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper uses a cultural critical approach to examine the role of mass media in the electoral success of the Bulgarian ultra-nationalist party Ataka in 2005. Arguing that it is important to recognize the role media play in fuelling sentiments of ethnic intolerance, this paper conducts a historical and cultural examination of the factors leading to the ascent of right-wing nationalism to the top echelons of political power in Bulgaria to conclude that Ataka's rise to prominence was largely aided by its skilfully crafted media blitz. This study further supports the thesis that the media are indeed categorically involved in creating 'imagined communities' and often are critically instrumental in fuelling nationalistic sentiments and ethnic strife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In planning of this paper I have started from the question whether those 27 states belonging to the European Union are able to promote, due to their fiscal systems, the fiscal coordination within the European Union or to accept the fiscal systems, consequently. The question has been raised because the systems in discussion have become lately more and more distorted. The inner logic as well as the fiscal competition should be blamed for it? Thus, the paper proposes a critical examination coming from the intervention among those 27 fiscal systems belonging to the countries of the European Union, as well as the presenting the fiscal competition generated by the considerable differences among them. The fiscal systems belonging to the newest member states of the union (Romanians and Bulgarians included) are, to a higher degree, different from the previous EU 15. This might be viewed as a sheer advantage because the general revenues arisen from taxes as well those accumulated profits taxes (effective and rated) are considerably diminished than those in the former 15 states, members of the EU. Therefore this type of advantage could create the proper premises for starting an efficient economical activity. The paper will ultimately display those differences among fiscal systems are able to set up a real implement in the process of convergence of the new membership, even though this type of approaching can not replace the fundamental reforms from business environment, the only capable of inducing the allocation of economical business in the European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents empirical (both statistical and prosopographical) data about the professional cluster of women medical doctors in Bulgaria from the establishment of Bulgarian Nation State till the Second World War. Medical doctors in Bulgaria were a main part of national intellectual elites, formed as a professional group of the Bulgarian intelligentsia during the 1830s-1870s. The first Bulgarian woman graduated from a university in the very beginning of national independence (1878) and she was a medical doctor, Anastassia Golovina.- 1) This paper deals with the education and training of Bulgarian women medical doctors. Data regarding their number, educational centers and migrations would be summoned in order to explain if the relevant social transformation was influenced by foreign experience.- 2) The paper summarizes facts concerning the professional career of Bulgarian women medical doctors: employment opportunities, career interruptions, discriminatory appointment and promotion practices, cultural stereotyping. Also their professional activity in promoting hygiene and vaccination, in school medical care and as pioneers in the fields of neurology and gynecology will be commented. Some biographical examples should be presented there.- 3) The paper dwells upon the social, political and cultural activities of women medical doctors. They were members and leaders of feminist, charity and Social-Democratic organizations, as well as gifted translators and publicists.- The paper makes an attempt to compare the "Bulgarian case" of women doctors with the experience of women doctors in the same period in the Southeastern and the Western Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examins the Bulgarian events from 1997 in the framework of the change of behavior. Using empirical evidence from the course of events in Bulgaria in 1997, the financial and political crisis, the break-in in Parliament, the analysis of slogans by sociolinguists and the study of student protests, etc. this paper argues that the January protests changed the waiting society into a pro-active society, which had clear demands and felt strong enough to achieve them. Proactive action was necessary to bring the course of re-forms closer to what was anticipated, and that was what happened on the streets of Bulgaria in January 1997. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]