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The enlargement of the European Union in 2004 marked a significant milestone in the history of European integration, bringing ten new member states into the Union. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of this enlargement two decades later. Drawing from the economic literature and descriptive analysis, the paper examines both anticipated benefits and realised outcomes. Preceding the enlargement, ex ante analyses projected substantial gains in GDP, trade integration and welfare for both acceding and existing member countries. These expectations were largely met. At the macroeconomic level, the paper shows a significant reduction in trade costs, enhanced trade integration and deepening participation in cross-border value chains within the Single Market. Some challenges remain, however, in terms of social and territorial cohesion in these countries. The lessons learned from this enlargement underscore the continuous nature of integration, beginning with accession preparation and producing tangible effects throughout the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the management consultancy sector over the next five years. Tracing the evolution of AI from its inception in 1956 to recent language and image capabilities, the study addresses the imminent challenges posed to consultancy by AI startups. Examining global legislative approaches, including the EU's strict AI Act, the UK's flexible stance, the self-regulatory approach in the US, and China's targeted regulations, it unveils the legislative ambiguity for software developers. The essay anticipates transformative implications on consultancy firms, emphasizing the war for talent, potential shifts in business models, and the evolving role of consultants as agents of thought. As AI becomes integral, consultancy firms are urged to adapt, incorporating AI into their models while navigating ethical and legal considerations. The paper underscores that while AI will automate mundane tasks, strategic decision-making remains a strength of consultancy firms, ensuring continued relevance in the evolving landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economy of Romania is changing quickly, and small and medium-sized enterprises are at a stage where implementing artificial intelligence could make all the difference. Small and medium enterprises that do not have sufficient cash or specialised knowledge find this hard to apply, according to the literature. This paper tries to connect the dots by analyzing the relationship between small and medium enterprises and artificial intelligence in Romania through document analysis and a case study of Exonia, a group of Romanian companies that successfully implemented artificial intelligence in their businesses. The methodology also entails the analysis of graphs based on the digital economy and society index, exemplifying the latest information regarding the position of Romania in respect of small and medium-sized enterprises (and not only) that implemented artificial intelligence compared to the other countries in the European Union. Exonia's example shows how small and medium enterprises can make artificial intelligence an opportunity to obtain more efficient operations and happier customers. This paper was co-financed by The Bucharest University of Economic Studies during the PhD program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of the paper is to identify ways to establish process security in the constantly changing risk and control environment and to introduce a new model. The research is based on a literature review of process security components. Qualitative content analysis was used to establish a linkage between the certified management systems and the level of process security. Elaborations have been conducted based on the survey data of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) and served as a basis for analysis of certification types and their sectoral division in the European Union (EU) member states. A new Balanced Scorecard has been developed to cover the security pillars in the context of standard management systems and serve as a framework for process security measurement. The research paper processes the state-of-the-art issue of process security, introduces components that help to establish process security, and establishes a linkage between the level of process security and certified management systems. An analysis was based on the ISO certification information related to different management system standards. Management systems were analysed in the context of process security and corresponding process performance measures. A brief walkthrough has been prepared to demonstrate the processes behind the underlying performance measures. A new Balanced Scorecard approach has been developed that maps and covers different security aspects retrieved from and linked to different management system standards. The new Balanced Scorecard based on different security aspects of entities can be leveraged by any organisation, regardless of its size or business profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Act of 5 July 2018 on the National Cybersecurity System and its accompanying executive regulations have introduced into Polish law the provisions of the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union (UE) 2016/1148. The fundamental reason for these regulations was to establish a coherent system to ensure the cyber security of the Republic of Poland with accordance to standards adopted for European Union Member States. This paper presents the legal situation of operators of essential services and digital service providers that was created by the provisions of the ANCS. The ANCS not only identifies operators of essential services, digital service providers, and their assigned obligations, but also addresses the competent authorities' tasks of supervising, inspecting and imposing penalties within the cyber security system. The findings, assessments and conclusions presented here are based on the interpretation of the provisions of the ANCS and are supported by prominent claims of academic representatives. The analyses contained within this paper aim to show that despite the comprehensible and contemporary ratio legis – which falls within the framework of pursuing the state of digital safety – the provisions of the ANCS require adjustments that acknowledge the legal situation of operators of essential services and digital service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from competitiveness as the ability of an entity (company, sector, state) to successfully increase sales on the domestic and/or international market, and through a balance surplus to create growing revenues for its company and/or residents, i.e. the entire country, the concept of competitiveness should be transformed according to today's business conditions. Competitiveness was initially related to cost, and sales grew due to lower product prices, and later due to productivity and better product quality. Today's consumer is not only interested in price and quality, but also in environmental sustainability and social responsibility, and customers are looking for sustainable products. This paper investigates the relationship between the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index on a sample of 27 member states of the European Union in the period 2007-2017, with the main goal and purpose of determining the direction and strength of the relationship and creating a platform for the necessity of redesigning the GCI. The impact of climate change on the GCI was examined by the Sustainable Development Index. For this purpose, Difference GMM was used. The results show that SDG12 (waste generation) hurts competitiveness, while SDG14 (maritime, ocean conservation) has a positive impact on competitiveness. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the intersection of competitiveness and sustainability, providing a foundation for future discussions and potential reconstructions of indices that reflect the changing global environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the idea of the functioning of an independent fiscal institution (IFI) in Poland according to the EU's requirements. The first section provides an overall description of the institution. Section 2 provides theoretical insights into possible institutional models of IFIs which are established in the EU: the purpose is to discern what lessons can be learnt from IFI models in other EU countries. Section 3 discusses the legal basis of and standards in this area of public-sector control; section 4 addresses how that adoption would look in Poland. The objective of the article is to determine what the challenges in the Polish state fiscal policy are. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term „Green economy" in the context of sustainable development was used for the first time in 1989, there is no internationally agreed definition for it. In the last decades, in a relatively short period it has become an issue with major importance worldwide, the society realizing that its actions have direct effects on the environment, its live and where we carry out our work. In order to correctly understand the meaning of Green economy we need an insight on man as an individual but also on organizations that make economic and financial decisions and initiatives. This paper examines the EU countries progress toward green economy, identifies the relationship with financial and economic indicators and analyses the role of eco-innovation performance and innovative capacity toward green transition to meet the European Green Deal objectives. Complex theoretical, methodological and empirical research methodology was adopted by using specific methods of investigation: critical analysis of the literature, complex quantitative and qualitative analysis, identification, construction and the appropriate processing of existing databases. The numerical results were obtained by the SPSS software package. The paper's outcome identifies barriers and success factors in the implementation of the EU's main new growth strategy, highlights that the green transformation process of the economy needs large investments in innovation and eco-innovation and needs the green finance to be covered also by the public and private sector on national and EU level and from the EU budget as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper looks at different case studies of European lotteries operating games of chance for the public benefit. It takes the case studies of four national lotteries as most similar systems design comparative methodology to investigate the extent to which market structure and managerial strategy play a role in the profitability of the companies. The empirical data collected through process tracing, public statements and public records shows that while being bound to interact with each other, the market context does not dictate managerial strategies, and innovations in the latter offer very diverging results in terms of the bottom line of the different European lotteries operating games of chance. This paper contributes thus to the existing literature on market conditions for companies operating games of chance (e.g. Huttenen 2020, Grote & Matheson 2023, Clotfelter & Cook 1991) by developing a much-needed link to the academic literature on corporate governance in state-owned enterprises (e.g. Cao & Vittas 2017, Szarzec & Nowara 2017, Megginson & Netter 2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an extensive analysis of Internet security experiences and perceptions among European Union (EU) citizens, as detailed by data within commented graphics highlighting awareness of online privacy practices, security-related aspects and data tracking methods. The paper also examines the implications of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regarding businesses operating within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). Via a thorough investigation of Internet users' awareness of cookies as tracking tools and the prevalence of security-related incidents, the paper provides insights into the evolving landscape of online privacy and security. It elucidates the challenges and opportunities presented by GDPR compliance for businesses, compliance requirements, spanning core principles and broader implications of data processing practices. The findings mark the imperative to align businesses' operations with GDPR provisions, addressing key aspects such as consent mechanisms, lawful bases and the importance of robust data security measures. The conclusion reveals the significance derived from the intersection of internet security perceptions, GDPR compliance, and business operations within the EU and EEA. Synthesizing empirical data with regulatory analysis, the paper provides a valuable understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the evolving regulatory landscape, thereby equipping businesses with actionable strategies in order to safeguard data privacy rights and uphold regulatory compliance in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union (EU) stands at the forefront of the global energy transition, committed to transforming its economy by adopting sustainable energy sources. This paper explores the diverse European sub-models of energy transition, highlighting different patterns among the EU Member States within the context of their particularities. Using the hierarchical cluster methodology and the panel data model with fixed effects for the period 2010-2021, we analyze the broader implications of the energy transition for the restructuring of the EU economy, with a focus on key sectors such as power generation, manufacturing, and social aspects. The study identifies significant challenges, including the need for substantial investment and technological innovation, as well as economic competitiveness, and social consequences. Additionally, the paper illustrates the complex interplay between climate objectives and economic restructuring within the EU, offering insights into the potential of the energy transition to not only mitigate climate change but also to drive socio-economic development and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The legislative changes implemented in the Labor Code of Georgia fundamentally changed the regulations governing the prohibition of discrimination. In order to bring them closer to the law of the European Union, a number of important issues were identified that require scientific processing and comparative legal research. One of the current and problematic types of discrimination in Georgian reality is not hiring a person and/or dismissing him/her due to political or other opinions. Case law regarding these topics practically does not exist. The present article deals with the existing regulation related to discrimination due to political or other opinions in pre-contractual relationships. The present paper examines whether Georgian legislation complies with acts of ILO and European law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the diverse conceptualizations of the "common good" within the economic discourse and scrutinizes their implications for European integration during the pressing COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a comprehensive literature review, policy analysis, and case study examination, it explores the manifestations of the common good in the context of European Union policies. Two key interpretations emerge from our investigation: the first presents the common good as an ultimate objective, seeking a balance between individual and collective interests achieved via adept economic governance; the second considers it a continuous process underpinned by the principles that direct the journey toward such a balance. Our findings reveal that the EU's response to the COVID-19 crisis led to shifts in fiscal policies and innovation strategies. The research outcomes demonstrate a marked transition in the EU's approach, with a stronger focus on social welfare, environmental sustainability, and collective well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into industrial processes has seen substantial development, characterized by the shift from Industry 4.0 to the future concept of Industry 5.0. The article identifies a significant gap in knowledge regarding how openness in AI engagement influences consumer trust and confidence in news media. This gap highlights the need for further exploration into the relationship between transparency in AI processes and consumer perceptions. The research utilises a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, gathering insights from academic literature, industry viewpoints, and actual data. We conduct an extensive analysis of existing literature to investigate the process of incorporating artificial intelligence into news creation and its influence on the level of confidence consumers have in the news. We have identified a significant lack of knowledge about the impact of openness in AI engagement on consumer views and trust in news media. Expanding on this discrepancy, we suggest a systematic methodology that incorporates controlled experiments and surveys to evaluate the influence of different degrees of openness on consumer trust and involvement with AI-generated news content. In addition, the paper examines the difficulties in establishing confidence in artificial intelligence (AI) inside the European Union, including several aspects such as technological, ethical, social, and legal considerations. The document presents a thorough plan to guarantee the secure development and execution of AI, with a focus on the significance of transparency, ethics, and teamwork. The study's results provide vital insights for politicians, news organisations, and industrial businesses as they navigate the intricate process of integrating AI. Comprehensive Plan for Secure AI Development, to address the challenges outlined, the article presents a thorough plan for ensuring the secure development and execution of AI within the European Union. This plan emphasizes the significance of transparency, ethics, and collaboration in building trust and confidence in AI technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2022 Guidelines of the European Commission on the application of EU competition law to collective agreements regarding the working conditions of solo self-employed persons apparently introduced a fresh approach towards collective agreements in a gig economy era. The main aim of this paper is to discuss whether the 2022 Guidelines are an appropriate tool to address the problems of solo self-employed persons (i.e. persons who are not in a formal employment relationship and who rely primarily on their own personal labour to provide services) from the perspective of EU competition law. To this end, we first present key competition problems related to collective agreements (section 1). Second, we analyse the regulatory framework for exemptions from competition law, with a view for a potential exemption relevant for collective agreements, as well as an approach to collective agreements in EU case law (sections 2 and 3). Third, the background for adopting the Guidelines, and their goals, is analysed (sections 4 and 5). Fourth, the Guidelines are discussed in more detail in sections 6 and 7 from the perspective of exemptions from Art. 101(1) TFEU. Finally, we examine the relationship between the Guidelines and a proposal for a platform work directive. The article attempts to verify the hypothesis that the Guidelines may be considered a pseudo-development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increased attention that was given to data protection laws in national jurisdictions – especially after the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation by the European Union – international law still does not offer a higher standard of protection to the personal data of civilians in times of armed conflict, where the deletion or manipulation of personal data of the civilian population can have significant harmful effects. This article explains that at the time of the adoption of the relevant international treaties and the development of customary international law, international humanitarian law (IHL) did not protect personal data stored electronically, and even though commentators in contemporary times tend to accept the object status of electronic data, State practice still remains inconclusive, largely excluding computerized personal data from the protective regime of IHL. The article argues further that a stricter protection of personal data regulation could potentially lead to harmful effects for protected persons, such as civilians, therefore it is undesirable. The protective nature of IHL must prevail over the data protection interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As of 7 March 2024, the EU Commission began to enforce its controversial Digital Markets Act (DMA). This article sheds light on the recent debate. It lists the dos and don'ts of the DMA as well as stakeholder reactions to them before tracing some of the underlying motivations and reasoning that emerge from the EU's current policy reversal with reference to dealing with abuse of dominant positions in line with Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Following this, the paper reviews economic aspects of digital platforms, concerns about market foreclosure and essential facility as well as appropriate remedies before closing with a discussion of the challenges in stipulating and enforcing efficient rules to govern digital platforms. It is argued that the DMA ought to be rewritten to stipulate clear and cogent legal standards, return to a strengthened system of ex post control and provide platforms with the opportunity to deliver efficiency defenses as part of corporate self-regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on cross-border cooperation in Europe is predominated by the analysis of the European Union (EU) INTERREG Programmes' results, while other support funds are often neglected. To fill this research gap, the authors undertook the research on cross-border cooperation of the area-based partnerships (Local Action Groups – LAGs) from Poland and the Czech Republic, financed by the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) 2014–2020. The main purpose of our paper is to identify the rationales for cooperation, strategies to find partners, the scope of activities and obstacles in implementing the joint projects. The qualitative research involved a content analysis of LAG documents and interviews with LAG managers. The actions in twelve identified cooperation projects were mainly related to local traditions, inventory and the promotion of local products and services, the development of tourism and environmental issues. The respondents have emphasised that these actions required separate financing by national RDPs following different administrative rules, even though when constituting the components of a single project. The bureaucratic restrictions resulted in a clear asymmetry of LAGs activities, manifested in a lower involvement of the Czech LAGs. As a result, many projects can be considered as highly unilateral, solely national rather than genuinely international, which has not been the intention of the LAG managers, however. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal waste management plays a crucial role in our communities and has far-reaching implications. Effective waste management contributes to environmental conservation. By reducing waste, recycling, and implementing sustainable practices, we protect our ecosystems and natural resources. Due to the increasing volume of waste and the increasingly complex administration of its collection and disposal, solid waste management is quickly becoming a demanding issue for municipalities all over the world. The objective of the paper was to describe the impacts of communal waste management on municipal budgets and to compare waste management expenditure intensity. The legislative changes, the focus on minimising waste for disposal and promoting a material recycling orientation will have a significant impact on municipal budgets. Local authorities must adjust to the standards established by the European Union. The Slovak Republic will need to progressively adopt these standards by incorporating them into national law [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aging of society is one of the most important trends shaping the social, economic and political life of the 21st century. However, with the increasing number of people of retirement age, the problem of ensuring adequate conditions for a longer life arises. The state influences these conditions through the pension security system, including taxation of pensions. The paper attempts to answer the question whether taxation of remunerations and public pension benefits may have a significant impact on making decisions about choosing a country of work in the common market. For this purpose, Member States have been ranked in terms of two dimensions—the conditions of taxation of wages and the conditions of taxation of retirement benefits. The countries were classified using a multi-criteria comparative analysis and the agglomeration method. The study shows that taxing salaries and pension benefits is of marginal importance from the point of view of an employee's decision-making. The main factors are the average expenditure on net salaries and the average expenditure on net pension benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy market in the European Union has recently faced significant external influences, which have resulted in turbulent developments in wholesale energy markets. The extraordinary and sudden increase in electricity prices and the imminent risk of further increases required a joint solution by the Member States at the end of 2022. On 6 October 2022, the Council of the European Union adopted Regulation 2022/1854 on Emergency Intervention to Address High Energy Prices, which establishes an emergency intervention to mitigate the effects of high energy prices through exceptional, targeted and time-limited measures. In this paper, the authors focus on the legal framework adopted to introduce the mandatory cap on market revenues to electricity producers in the countries of the Visegrad Group (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to identify how energy cooperatives and energy communities could affect the social innovation within the European Union as a whole and specifically in Bulgaria. It begins with an applicable legislation and energy policy analysis and provides a helicopter view of the regulatory framework connected with the energy communities and copperatives on both European and national level, as well as the opportunities for their future development. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify the gaps, which consists of a bibliometric and a content analysis and outlines a growing interest in those relatively new energy formations that promote renewable energy sources, enhance energy security and empower local communities. It highlights the current research gap and endorses the need for the conduction of some additional deeper researches and empirical studies. The SWOT analysis provides an in-depth assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threads of those energy formations in Bulgaria, with an emphasis on their advantages and the challenges in front of them. The results provide a clear understanding of the factors that can help the growth and sustainability of those energy organizations and how they can endorse the energy transition in the country and in the European Union as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational safety risk assessment is always the basic stage of the systematic approach of reducing the impact of undesired events (work injuries and occupational illnesses), by decreasing both their likelihood of occurrence and the gravity/severity of the generated impact. Eighteen years ago, when, as a consequence of the regulatory changes induced by our country's accession into the European Union, the risk assessment became mandatory/compulsory. Since then some progress was factually realized in the spirit of applying different risk analysis techniques in all Romanian organizations. Even if there are many aspects that are requiring further improvement, an effectively validated and nationally accepted indigenous tool is nowadays available. This method was put in practice in this research paper, in order to analyse, evaluate and assess the safety risks related to several of the main activities/jobs in a diabase open pit mine exploiting construction stone in a certain province of the country. Based on the results obtained, it has become feasible to propose realistic measures aimed at preventing the identified and quantified risks located in the field of unacceptable risks and protecting exposed workers to their effects. The case study developed and synthesized in this article confirms the capability of the risk assessment process to facilitate the substantiation of the decisions regarding the allocation of resources towards the minimization of the risks encountered in the work processes by different categories of workers in the mining companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of education and labour market challenges on the income inequality in European Union (27 Member States) within the period 2012-2022, this being calculated using the Panel EGLS method. Even if the effects are clearly visible from a theoretical point of view, in the latest years there were not many authors focusing their studies on the effects of the unemployment and early dropout from school and training on income inequality. In this regard, updating the figures, the impact coefficients and the theoretical background increase the understanding of the statistical processes and their results in the new economic context. Our results confirmed a positive relationship between unemployment rate and income inequality (measured by Gini coefficient), this being also the highest impact found, but also a positive link between the early leavers from education and training rate and income inequality. In addition, we used additional variables to catch the current economic challenges that are related to demographic changes and high energy prices. In this context, we found positive effects exerted by housing cost overburden rate and old-age dependency ratio on income inequality. Even if the model is limited to four income inequality drivers, we have demonstrated that the calculated coefficients are the best linear unbiased estimators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive industry is widely considered to be crucial for the economy, as it reflects economic development in general. Despite interest in financial performance, few studies have considered paying attention to the ownership structure among stockholders. Hence, the study aims to find out how the degree of ownership concentration, measured through the independence indicator of the Bureau van Dijk, is reflected in the financial management of companies in the automotive industry among selected European countries. The generalized method of moments (GMM) technique is widely used while investigating panel data with a short estimating period, i.e. nine years annually in this case. However, this study reveals that, without deploying techniques, subsequently introduced a modified version of GMM estimators with panel data by providing an implementation using Stata statistical software. Otherwise, these particular econometric tools to analyze a dynamic panel can often give false significant estimates. Overall, liquidity seems to be significant in the case of firms with less concentrated ownership, whereas companies with a major owner are affected more by selected macroeconomic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the challenges of defense spending in Europe and emphasizes the importance of sustained defense investment for the long-term health of the defense industry. It acknowledges the historical neglect of defense investments in Europe and the recent realization of the need for a strong defense technological and industrial base. The article also examines the issue of defense spending in a NATO context and the specific nature of the EU's process of encouraging defense investment among its member states. It concludes by discussing the political nature of defense spending and the EU's approach to defense expenditure, including voluntary benchmarks and initiatives like PESCO and CARD. The EU's defense expenditure is not accurately reflected in reporting, and while the EU is increasingly engaged in defense, its defense spending as measured against the NATO 2% pledge has been lackluster. The EU recognizes the importance of increased defense spending but acknowledges its limited political power to compel member states. The EU may need to re-energize its defense efforts to hedge against US retrenchment in Europe. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the shift in Europe's approach to cyber defense, moving from a reactive to a proactive stance. Germany is considering changing its laws to allow for active cyber defense measures, while NATO has adopted a new concept that emphasizes cooperation between military and civilian entities. The article emphasizes the importance of establishing norms for the use of active defense measures and the need for international cooperation in holding cyber criminals accountable. The US has already adopted a proactive approach, focusing on countering threats before they can cause harm. The article discusses the challenges and considerations associated with implementing active defense measures, including the need for transparency, legitimacy, and accountability. It suggests that European states engage in critical discussions and develop evaluation frameworks to ensure responsible and effective use of these measures. The article also highlights the potential risks and benefits of active cyber defense and emphasizes the importance of a common understanding and transparency in disclosing the rationale and effects of these measures. It suggests that empirical research and public data collection can contribute to responsible discussions and democratic support for cyber defense considerations. [Extracted from the article]

The term 'digitalization' of public administration, used as a synonym for 'e-government,' fi rst implies the implementation of fast, secure procedures by an administrative body. E-governance, or as it is more recently termed, digital governance, involves the introduction of innovations and technologies in public governance/administration. It can be argued that the digitalization of public administration against the background of contemporary social challenges may be the key of opportunities for both the state and members of the society. Despite its certain conditionality, the electronic governance index (since 2003, the United Nations has issued a comparative index of countries' e-governance every two years, based on three main indicators) profi ciently reflects the dynamics of countries' efforts in introducing innovations in public administration and involving citizens in the process of e-services, which ultimately contributes to bringing citizens closer to modern digital administration. The article refers to the legal aspects of using digital means in e-government on the example of Georgia. The reform of public administration in Georgia started in 2015, after the Association Agreement was signed between Georgia and the European Union. Georgia has already fulfi lled several commitments in the framework of this program in terms of striving for more transparent governance, but despite this, the mentioned reform faces challenges on this path. The article examines aspects of e-government such as e-services, e-participation, personal data protection, and the impact of e-government implementation on the efficiency of public administration. Since the mentioned issue is complex in nature and extends in several directions, the article discusses the regulation of electronic administrative proceedings and the effectiveness of its use in the process of implementing public administration, stages of modernization of state governance, types of electronic proceedings, possibilities of legitimate governance from the administrative body, and prospects for its implementation on the example of Georgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates Georgia's ongoing Europeanization process, a well-established topic in contemporary research. The study, on the other hand, focuses on the highly complex and largely unexplored field of labor relations, which has been in constant motion since the signing of the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union in 2014. The article explores the development of the Occupational Safety and Health Policy as a unique case study, showing the Georgian government's partial commitment to meeting its obligations under the Association Agreement. This commitment has raised the Occupational Safety and Health Policy to a critical component of public policy-making, paving the way for considerable changes in labor relations across the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European accession policy has acquired a special and exceptional character since 2022 against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war. The separation of the Association Trio countries (Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia) caused a non-uniform assessments in Georgia (giving candidacy to Ukraine and Moldova, and potential candidacy to Georgia). In the situation of extreme polarization and politicization of opinions, it is important to outline the legal and historical facts regarding the specifi cities of EU–Georgia relations and to evaluate scientifi cally Georgia's geopolitical destiny (the possibility of joining the EU) in the light of global and regional processes. The article presents the various aspects of the difficulty and complexity of the EU enlargement towards Georgia, which actually go beyond the context of the full fulfi llment of the twelve conditions given to Georgia by the EU; synchronization of commitments issued by the European Commission for all Association Trio countries, making clear that the only distinguishing condition for Georgia in reality is the issue of depolarization; the possibility to fulfil the condition of depolarization in the current political situation in Georgia; the context of the historical dynamics of divergent approaches of the EU towards Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia; the priority of saving the results of the 30-year struggle for freedom against the backdrop of Russia–Georgia wars, and the European future in Georgia and overcoming the ongoing distrust between Georgia and the EU (as the highest value) compared to the value of conditionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'black box issue' is one of the biggest problems with algorithmic management. The lack of transparency in the operation and decision-making of AI is of greatest concern to those whose data is being processed (including employees). Trade unions, as the organisations that most represent the interests of workers, can play a big role here; however, they need to be empowered. There is a lack of legislation at EU and Member State level to set norms for this issue; the only country that has already introduced such legislation is Spain. The draft Polish regulation refers to the Spanish solutions and seems to be very interesting. It introduces the possibility for trade unions to obtain data from an employer on the operation of AI in relation to the algorithmic management of employees. The authors present this regulation against the background of EU recommendations and previous Polish legislation on the employer's obligation to provide information. They also identify elements that need to be refined during the parliamentary process in order to make the regulation more effective in protecting workers' rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is of a scientific and research nature, covering the role of the Polish Agency for Audit Oversight (Polska Agencja Nadzoru Audytowego–PANA) and common courts in disciplinary proceedings against statutory auditors. The research aims to determine whether the provisions of Directive 2006/43/EC and Regulation (EU) 537/2014 justify assigning the aforementioned Agency the status of an authority for proceedings concerning disciplinary offences committed while performing assurance or related services in compliance with national professional standards. The provisions of European Union law regarding the role of public supervision bodies of auditors and audit firms are analysed, and the results are compared with the constitutional and systemic conditions for shaping the norms of disciplinary proceedings. Some de lege ferenda proposals regarding the regulation of disciplinary proceedings bodies in matters concerning statutory auditors are put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty years have passed since the largest enlargement of the European Union in history. During the eastern enlargement, 10 new member states entered the union, seven of which belonged to the former Eastern bloc. The new members have since experienced astonishing growth rates, closing the large gap between them and the rest of the EU. The GDP growth rates were consistently higher than those of the original members. Now, the EU must once again look east: the integration of the West Balkan countries would be a crucial step in the future development of the EU, not only economically, but also politically, provided the formal provisions of an accession are satisfied. A strong united Europe benefits all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Russian-Ukrainian war has become a significant factor that has prompted millions of Ukrainian citizens to migrate in search of safety. The demographic situation in Ukraine is deteriorating in both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. The mentioned changes are impacting the domestic and European labour markets. The article examines the consequences of war migration of the population for domestic and European labour markets. The study covers the period between 2013 and 2023. Empirical research methods were use in the article: observation, comparison, generalization, forecasting. Ukrainian migrants presently comprise approximately 1% of the population in European Union countries and represent 15% of Ukraine's overall demographic composition. The prevailing inclination among the majority of these migrants is not to return to Ukraine in the immediate future, with the principal determinant being identified as the prevailing sense of peril. Notably, within the age structure of Ukrainian migrants, a significant 81.2% fall within the economically productive age bracket of 18-49 years. This demographic composition sets the stage for a positive economic effect within the European Union, while concurrently engendering adverse repercussions for the domestic labour market in Ukraine. A three-year projection regarding the migration volumes of Ukrainians to the European Union has been delineated. Drawing upon post-war reconstruction experiences worldwide and taking into account the critical demographic landscape in Ukraine, a proposition has been put forth to synergize efforts among the government, international organizations, and donors. This collaborative endeavour seeks to establish a financial fund, wherein resources will be allocated towards the formulation of recommendations and the subsequent design and implementation of programs aimed at the restoration of the domestic labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) seeks to align ASEAN with global "green growth" trends by developing an integrated eco-labelling standard for products traded among its member countries. This article presents a comparative study using a normative legal research method that draws lessons from other regional trade organizations, such as the European Union. The objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of designing an ASEAN Eco-labelling standard that is tailored to the characteristics of each ASEAN country's eco-labelling policy. The labelling will be managed by an independent certification body headquartered at the ASEAN Secretariat, with representative offices in each ASEAN country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary development policy concentrates predominantly on reducing noticeable economic differences in a spatial system, and an important role in this respect is played by EU Cohesion Policy. Owing to the considerable scale of financial exposure of Cohesion Policy, the assessment of effectiveness of the implemented measures and their greater reliance on evidence are of major significance. Despite numerous attempts to empirically verify the effects of EU funds spending, the problem remains unresolved, and the results of recent studies lead frequently to ambiguous conclusions. The article aims to verify the β-convergence process in EU regions in the years 2007–2015 allowing for the impact of the received EU funds and the spatial effects determining economic growth. In the research, use was made of a convergence approach consisting in the regression modelling of per capita GDP growth. Spatial econometrics methods were applied, by adding variables determining spatial interactions that can influence the economic growth rate to the specification of the estimated models. The estimated econometric models show that in the years 2007–2015 EU funds positively affected economic growth. At the same time, the process of reducing economic disparities between EU regions was observed. Moreover, the existence of spatial effects for a dependent variable was confirmed. The results also show that the value of the EU funds received in the surrounding area generally did not translate into the dynamics of growth in a given location. The research presented is one of the few in which spatial interaction was verified by using weights matrices based on contiguity, distance, flows and affiliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to examine the regional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its individual waves on foreign trade in food and agro-based products in the world's largest trading countries. The study was based on the statistical database of the International Trade Centre (ITC). In addition to the basic analysis, use was made of the auto-correlation method to detect special relationships between foreign food trade of different countries. The results show that the pandemic has had the greatest impact on agricultural and food trade in the United States, but it has spilled over to other countries as well, especially its two major trading partners, the European Union and China. Food trade stagnated in the initial period of the pandemic, but later recovered relatively well. The six examined regions can be divided into three groups based on the typical features of their autocorrelation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims is to analyze the internet utilization patterns of rural households in selected European Union countries, particularly focusing on Poland, and to assess the specificity and level of differentiation in this area between countries. The study divides European Union (EU) countries into clusters based on the share of rural residents' using the internet from 2004 to 2022. Employing Ward's method and k-means clustering with the squared Euclidean distance measure, cluster analysis is used for country grouping. Internet functionalities are analyzed to understand consumer behaviors. The study shows that European countries can be categorized into four distinct groups according to the percentage of rural inhabitants who had access to the internet. Internet functionalities revealed variations in accessing information, scheduling medical appointments, social networking, online courses, and political engagement across these clusters. It was found that digital inequality among rural inhabitants in the EU persists, with varying levels of internet usage and utilization of internet functionalities. The convergence hypothesis suggests that less developed areas experience faster growth in internet usage, potentially reducing disparities. Policies promoting digital inclusion and advanced digital skills training are essential to bridge the digital divide in rural areas. In conclusion, access to internet functionalities, especially in healthcare and education, remains a challenge that requires attention. The study emphasizes the importance of considering cultural and socio-economic contexts in understanding digital inequality. This research sheds light on the digital divide in rural EU regions and highlights the need for targeted interventions to enhance digital inclusion and improve the quality of life for rural residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to illustrate the convergence of sludge utilization in Bulgaria and other selected European Union countries (Hungary, Poland, Czechia, and Romania) and examine by correlation and asymmetric analysis how and to what extent the transaction costs and sludge utilization impact the use of sludge and inorganic fertilizers in agriculture. The usage of sludge from wastewater plants in the agriculture is still a widespread way of sludge utilization, even though the trend in the recent years shows a gradual regress and visible growth in other wastewater outlets. The correlation and asymmetric analyses were carried out to give insights about the role of transaction costs in sludge use and the effect of sludge disposal in agriculture to supplement the mineral fertilizers. It is noted that the agriculture is still a leading outlet of sludge disposal, the eventual transaction costs incurred by farmers to use it are not changing during last years, whereas the prices of mineral fertilizers were not perceived to boost sludge demand in agriculture. In countries such as Hungary and Poland, there is a relatively considerable symmetry between the increase in the use of inorganic fertilizers and the shrink in the sludge use in agriculture, while in Bulgaria the persistent trend of using inorganic fertilizers is supplemented by a temperate growth in sludge agriculture disposal. In turn, in Romania there is a strong asymmetry between the use of inorganic nitrogen and sludge in agriculture, however, it is attributed to lack of sludge application in agriculture in the first half of the period under consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of Work-Life Balance (WLB), which involves finding a harmonious equilibrium between work and personal life, has gained considerable importance across the European Union. In 2019, the European Parliament adopted a directive that requires all member states to integrate the principles of WLB, aiming to promote gender equality and fair treatment in the labor market (Directive on transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union and Directive on work-life balance for parents and carers). This perspective offers significant opportunities and potential, while also posing challenges for entrepreneurs. An analysis of the literature on the subject indicates that the issue of WLB should be analyzed in the context of company size. The main objective of the research is to analyze and evaluate WLB among employees in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises in Poland. The main results reflect that employees of companies in Poland (both SMEs and large enterprises) indicate a wide range of tools as having, in their opinion, an impact on WLB. Companies in Poland most commonly utilize tools such as flexible working hours and hybrid work. Findings confirm that WLB is less frequently implemented in the SME sector compared to large enterprises, and that employees in large enterprises have a better maintained WLB compared to employees in the SME sector. Implementing WLB is a challenge for the SME sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of this study is, firstly, the identification of new obligations for financial institutions and supervisors resulting from the normative inclusion of ESG (environmental, social and governance) policy in financial market regulation. Secondly, we will answer the question of whether and to what extent the current regulatory pattern is changing in connection with ESG policy and, for this purpose, conduct an examination in the light of the provisions of the sustainable finance risk law from the perspective of a financial institution operating on the financial market, taking into account supervisory regulations in this area. The study also aims to consider various possible solutions for the optimal implementation of the policy of counteracting sustainable development risks in financial market law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores Europe's evolving stance on economic security amidst geopolitical shifts and crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.Topics include the historical evolution of economic security concepts, the importance of economic resilience, and key principles for Europe's future approach to economic security, emphasizing global engagement, embracing transformation, and fostering adaptable economic systems.

The concept of smart cities is gaining momentum with efforts to go greener and be more sustainable along with the growing demand for data-driven policies. The European Union (EU) is highly committed to fostering sustainable urban development through targeted funding programs that encourage innovation, collaboration, and practical solutions for climate-neutral and smart cities. We have used data mining on the data of the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) and Eurostat during 2014 – 2022, to analyze such projects. Firstly, we can report that in absolute measures, Germany, Spain, France, Sweden and Lithuania have obtained the largest amounts of money fromthe EU Horizon program to support the development of smart cities. Secondly, we have found that when accounting for the size of funding per capita, Estonia leads in terms of funds invested in smart cities followed by Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Finland, and Cyprus. Focusing our attention on the cost of outcomes, i.e., the efficiency of spending funds on smart cities, we can see that the leading countries in the EU are Romania, Switzerland, Norway, and Luxembourg. The authors have compared the success of European projects in their different phases, while considering the overall results as most relevant for our evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing insights into recent defence integration, including against the backdrop of Russia's war, largely stem from EU governance studies. Although these studies might not explicitly delve into the EU's politico-strategic role, when combined with the broader framework of International Relations (IR), they imply the EU's effective progression, at least relatively, as a defence actor. However, a closer analysis of certain key developments and transatlantic dynamics suggests a persistent lack in the political and strategic dimensions of EU defence policy. This disparity arises when IR concepts are tailored to fit the EU context in integration studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study embarks on an empirical examination of the relationship between digitalization intensity and economic performance among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) within the European Union (EU) in 2022. Utilizing data from European Commission, the research specifically compares the "SMEs with at least a basic level of digital intensity" and the "Proportion of total SME value added for all industries". The aim is to unravel the potential correlation between digital integration in SMEs and their contribution to the economy, measured in terms of value added. The methodology encompasses a quantitative approach, involving the collection of relevant data across EU member states. The study first applies descriptive statistics to summarize the data and then conducts a correlation analysis. In preparing the data for analysis, we adjusted the value-added figures by the number of SMEs to derive a value-added per SME metric, facilitating a more accurate and comparable evaluation across countries with varying numbers of SMEs.Our preliminary analysis reveals significant variations in digital intensity among SMEs across different EU countries. The core of the analysis investigates whether higher levels of digital adoption correlate with an increased economic output per SME. This study is particularly relevant in the context of the EU's digital single market strategy and the increasing emphasis on digital transformation in the business sector. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the understanding of the digital economy's impact on SMEs, providing valuable insights for policymakers and business leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]