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Purpose -- European paper industry has been struggling with margins and profitability for more than decade time period. At typical in markets of west, paper product demand is at long-term decline, mostly driven by continuously increasing internet use. However, in emerging markets demand still exists, and in Europe numerous small markets in east have even some growth available. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach -- The authors analyse in this research work with longitudinal data (period of 2002-2009) from one large Finnish paper mill and data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach, how distribution efficiency to selected eight East European markets has evolved. Findings -- In general distribution efficiency has improved, but this has taken place in step-wise manner rather than being linear year-to-year development (year 2006 found to be the threshold). Reason is mostly in better management of transportation costs, and in particular lower monthly deviation of these costs. It is surprising that case paper mill has been able to manage transportation costs in rapidly increasing energy cost environment so efficiently. Maybe European Union enlargement of 2004 and 2007 has had its effects on distribution efficiency. Research limitations/implications -- The research is limited to the deliveries of one paper mill located in Finland. Also East European markets in the early periods of this study were emerging papers markets, and distribution practices were clearly evolving. Practical implications -- Based on the study East European paper market distribution should give more attention on transportation cost control, and trying to find solutions to minimize it with low monthly fluctuation. Originality/value -- Very few studies exist from East European distribution issues, and particularly that of paper industry. Also used quantitative method of DEA is relatively new in this context and gives valuable insights for the distribution efficiency development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief introduction to the telecommunication reform process in Europe, its status, and upcoming policy issues. Furthermore, it also aims to provide an overview of the papers in this special issue.Design/methodology/approach – The paper provides an introduction to the telecom reform process based on previous research and the papers in this issue of info.Findings – The introduction argues that the European telecommunication reform process with the telecommunications green paper of 1987 as an important point of departure has been a success in many ways. It has, for example, facilitated the development of mobile, of the internet and its many applications, and considerably lowered prices. However, there are important areas where a single European market has not developed. Moreover, new challenges are rising in terms of upcoming reconfigurations of the whole information communications technology (ICT) area requiring new policy and regulatory answers.Originality/value – The paper provides a brief introduction to the European telecommunication reform process, its achievements, present challenges, and the policy responses of the European Union. In addition, an overview of the papers of this issue of info is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that telecommunications liberalization in Europe has taken the European telecommunications and internet sectors a breathtaking leap forward. To counter the leveling off of growth and facing the smartphone revolution, new structural changes are now required.Design/methodology/approach – The paper assesses in a concise manner the effect of telecommunications liberalization in Europe based on the 1987 green paper. It demonstrates the enormous dynamics created in the mobile and fixed network sectors and the key role of liberalization to make Europe internet-ready during the 1990s. The paper then proceeds to the analysis of the leveling off of growth during the last few years and discusses required changes to restart dynamics.Findings – The green paper of 1987 successfully defined a framework within which political and legal action in both regulatory and competition fields could develop, leading to full liberalization of telecommunications in the European Union by 1998. The subsequent decade saw an enormous expansion of both mobile and fixed services, which only abated by the end of the decade. Liberalization and coordination of licensing of mobile systems were the basis for the entry of the internet in Europe and the explosive growth of GSM mobile services. The paper finds that the deployment of broadband internet and fourth generation mobile now needs further change to relaunch dynamics. It welcomes the goals of the digital agenda for Europe in the context of the 2020 objectives of the European Union, but argues that deeper structural changes are needed to achieve these goals.Originality/value – Liberalization of European telecommunications was guided by a strategic framework set out in the 1987 telecommunications green paper and developed subsequently further. Comprehensive frameworks of this nature will be needed if Europe wants to gain a leading role in the future smart phone and broadband internet markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the existence of convergence in non-monetary working conditions in Europe resorting to widely used definitions of this phenomenon and composite indexes of job quality. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis relies on composite indexes, widely used in previous literature, for 207 regions in six different areas of job quality drawing on the microdata of the European Working Conditions Survey from 1995 to 2015. This study assesses the occurrence of convergence both in terms of dispersion of job quality outcomes (sigma-convergence) and, especially, regarding the existence of a catch-up process (beta-convergence). Findings: This study finds evidence of both types of convergences in all the domains, with the exception of skills and discretion and prospects dimensions according to the sigma-convergence approach. The results do not suggest substantial differences between the 15 European Union countries before the 2004 enlargement and the new Member States and are robust to a wide range of changes in the sample and different econometric specifications. Originality/value: Tot he best of the authors' knowledge, this paper represents the first rigorous and systematic attempt of addressing the existence of convergence in non-monetary working conditions, applying formal and widely accepted definitions of this phenomenon. It contributes to our knowledge on this topic providing strong evidence of convergence in job quality. Those results can be of interest for scholars in Economics and other Social Sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how trade unions may address the questions of inclusion of vulnerable employees in low-wage “anchored” sectors in the European Union. Design/methodology/approach – The findings presented in the paper are mainly results of the analysis of stakeholder policies and strategies on the national level and on the European level, including both desk research and interviews with social partner representatives and other experts in the sectors as well as company case studies carried out in the examined countries in three selected sectors: cleaning, waste collection and catering. Findings – The main findings of the paper refer to the indirect way in which trade unions try to promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the examined sectors. On this basis are formulated policy recommendations. Research limitations/implications – The paper is based on case study research that does not cover all possible “anchored” services, vulnerable groups and types of countries, according to their employment and social models. Practical implications – This paper formulates practical recommendations to European trade unions in the services. Originality/value – The originality of the paper is related to comparative research focused on services sectors and the consequences of the spatial reorganisation of sectors for the trade union actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to analyze whether tax compliance is the basis for the short-run dynamics of the development of welfare and happiness. The strengthening of tax compliance of corporates and citizens is not only important to achieve the goals assumed by fiscal policy but also is part of the values that can generate a higher level of welfare and happiness in Europe. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses a dynamic factor model to offer new indexes that allow to monitor tax compliance, public spending and happiness trajectories and to evaluate their short-run relationships. Next, an analysis of the cyclical characteristics in terms of duration, amplitude and intensity is provided using the Harding and Pagan method (2002). Findings: The empirical findings show that the European countries were able to reinforce tax compliance during the expansionary periods of the economy, and this has made it possible to increase public spending, and indirectly, happiness. Otherwise, this paper shows that the contractions of public resources during the global crisis, such as the case in the COVID-19, reduced the possibilities of well-being in Europe and made it more difficult to increase public spending and happiness. Research limitations/implications: This study tries to analyze the transmission channels and relationships of three very complex variables: tax compliance, public spending and happiness. Incorporating these three variables into this research, with a short-run perspective, the authors have opened a new line of research that enriched the previous analysis. Therefore, the authors' results should be considered the first step, that this study is going to continue to unravel the complexity of these relationships. Practical implications: The design of policies aimed at improving individual, corporate and the well-being of nations needs them to incorporate elements of tax compliance as an objective that has economic and social implications. Individuals and corporates contribute to a fairer and more equitable society through compliance with tax obligations. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper that offers evidence on the short-run dynamics of tax revenue, public spending and happiness for a better understanding of their relationships and behavior during the different periods of the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While women in most European societies still carry the largest burden in caring for the family, there is also an important unrealised learning interest among women. This has an impact on women's labour market and career opportunities. This paper aims at analysing empirically the role of family obligations in women's ability to realise their learning interests and how this differs across societal and institutional contexts across Europe. Design/methodology/approach: The paper makes use of the second wave of Adult Education Survey from 2011, including data from 22 European countries. The article focuses on women aged 25–55 – an age group most affected by parental obligations. Logistic regression models are used to compare the effect that children in the household have on women's learning barriers across country groups of different family policy arrangements. Findings: The results confirm empirically the situational nature of family barriers to learning as they grow and decline depending on the age of children. However, the level of intensity and the period when family-related barriers remain relevant for women vary across European countries. Originality/value: This paper provides new insights into how women's caring obligations shape their labour market and career opportunities, focussing on the ability to take up adult learning. Involving data from 22 countries, including Eastern European countries, provides a broad look into the differing contexts shaping women's opportunities across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review the development of leave policies in Europe, both at a regional and national level, and to consider what future directions such policies might take to meet changing conditions and emerging needs. Design/methodology/approach: The paper draws on the work of an international network that the authors founded in 2004, which brings together experts on leave policy from over 40 countries, and in particular on an annual review of national leave policies conducted by network members. Findings: The article presents developments in European legislation on leave policy stretching from 1883 to the present day, and outlines the extent of leave policies in European countries and the wide variations in the design of these policies. It suggests that future directions in leave policy need to address the relationship between this and other policy areas; the need for a life course perspective to leave policy, getting beyond parental leave; and that leave should turn away from being considered an employment benefit towards becoming a universal right to care. Originality/value: The paper provides a concise overview of leave policy in the global region where leave policies began and are today most developed, at both a regional and national level. It is also intended to stimulate debate about the future directions that leave policy might take. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper analyzes the new EU Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD) to determine the level of guidance on instruments to wind-down bad asset portfolios of asset management vehicles. In the absence of such detailed guidance stipulated by the BRRD, the aim is to provide certain practical guidance to future resolution planning and execution. Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws upon experience from portfolio reduction strategies applied at European bad banks in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. For illustration purposes, the paper use case study data from a bad bank located in the eurozone. Findings – For the new European Commission, implementation and enforcement of the Banking Union within the eurozone is currently a key priority. Present efforts are mainly directed towards minimum technical standards. However, the fundamental question of how to orderly unwind a bad assets portfolio without the usage of public funds remains partly addressed only. While a uniform approach to any bad asset does not seem to be applicable, certain lessons learned from previous financial crises may contribute to a selection of reduction strategies. Research limitations/implications – This paper draws upon experience from portfolio reduction strategies applied at European bad banks in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. It includes case study data from the wind-down of a eurozone bad bank detailing the asset reduction strategies achieved so far. Such per asset class wind-down patterns have not been published and commented on in academia so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain the European Market Infrastructure Regulation, known as EMIR, adopted on July 4, 2012 as the Regulation on OTC Derivatives, Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explains EMIR's clearing and reporting requirements, who is within the scope of those requirements, who is a financial and non-financial counterparty, the clearing thresholds, the clearing and reporting obligations, when those obligations will begin, the risk mitigation obligations, and a range of potential questions anyone trading in OTC derivatives should consider. Findings – EMIR requires that all standardized OTC derivatives contracts be cleared through a central counterparty and reported to a trade repository. Originality/value – The paper provides practical guidance by experienced financial services lawyers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to evaluate the degree to which there is cross-national cooperation when tackling undeclared work and how the fight against undeclared work in Europe might be more effectively coordinated. Design/methodology/approach – A multi-stage inductive approach is used involving a web survey of 104 senior government officials, trade unions and employer organisations in 31 European countries, 33 follow-up in-depth explanatory interviews, four two-day focus groups in European regions involving 44 stakeholders, and a European-wide focus group of 20 stakeholders. Findings – Collaboration between European countries is currently partial and very limited when tackling undeclared work. To more effectively collaborate, the consensus amongst the participating stakeholders is that an inclusive network of experts covering the tax, social security and labour aspects of undeclared work needs to be developed which engages in information sharing, capacity building and operational cooperation not only on the issue of cross-border undeclared work but also combating undeclared work at the national level. Research limitations/implications – Until now, the literature on undeclared work has not evaluated the extent and nature of cross-national collaborations to tackle this phenomenon. This paper fills that gap. Practical implications – The paper reports the consensus reached amongst pan-European stakeholders on how to more effectively broker knowledge on a multilateral cross-national basis to tackle undeclared work. Originality/value – This is the first evaluation of cross-national collaboration in relation to tackling undeclared work in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to explore sustainable tourism in Europe in economic, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions as well as discuss key challenges and necessary steps to be taken by the national tourism organisations. Design/methodology/approach: The author takes a look at the evolution and importance of sustainable development for the travel and tourism industry today. Findings: Last year Europe reached another record of international tourist arrivals, resulting in a 6 per cent increase on the previous year's performance. Factors that contributed to this development include the recovery of major source markets, marketing efforts in promoting travel offseason as well as themed promotional activities in third markets. However, the European tourism industry is facing increasing challenges, in particular, those related to the quest between sustainable practices and the need for increasing competitiveness as a global destination. Originality/value: This paper provides a current view of how sustainable tourism in Europe became a key global challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the nature of undeclared work in South East Europe and the rest of the European Union and in doing so, to evaluate critically the validity of depicting the character of undeclared work as being the same everywhere. Design/methodology/approach -- A 2007 survey of undeclared work is reported, conducted in 27 European Union (EU) member states involving 26,659 face-to-face interviews. This paper focuses on the results of the 2,432 interviews conducted in five South East European countries, namely Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Romania and Slovenia. Findings -- In South Eastern Europe, more undeclared work is found to be waged employment and conducted by marginalised population groups out of necessity compared with other EU regions. Nevertheless, and similar to other EU regions, most undeclared work is conducted on an own-account basis, rather than as waged employment, for close social relations, rather than anonymous employers, and out of choice rather than necessity, although different mixtures prevail in different places and populations both within South Eastern Europe and across the EU as a whole. Research limitations/implications - This recognition of the multifarious work relations and motives involved in undeclared work, and different mixtures in varying populations, displays the need to move beyond treating undeclared work as everywhere the same and towards nuanced spatially sensitive representations. Practical implications -- Given the proportion of undeclared work conducted on an own-account basis and for closer social relations, this paper reveals that if South East European governments continue to seek its eradication, they will deter with one hand precisely the entrepreneurship and mutual aid that with another they are seeking to nurture. Originality/value -- This is the first evaluation of undeclared work in South East Europe and the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine what could be achieved through workforce mobility in Europe. Design/methodology/approach - The approach taken is a literature and case review. Findings - Findings indicate that full mobility of a European workforce is largely permitted and tolerated though a complex web of legal policy and constraints which need to be reviewed if full mobility is to be achieved within the European Union (EU). Practical implications - The paper draws on integration and trade theory to highlight the issues of mobility within the EU. The paper may prove useful to policy makers and researchers. Originality/value - This paper allows researchers to gain an understanding of the . issues in workforce mobility within the EU and build a conceptual portrait of the challenges faced by policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a research paper which is part of the State of Play of the Futures Field project on foresight and future in Europe. According to the paper, European Union has encouraged parallel developments at national, regional and local levels. It states that ForSociety ERA-Net [2] is a sustainable and dynamic network where national foresight program managers co-ordinate their activities and then implement efficient transnational foresight programs. It furthers states that European people need to set priorities for investment in science and innovation activities.

Purpose - Through the analysis of different initiatives of all EU countries in relation to business excellence models, there is a need to map these initiatives and to compare the most "interesting" quality awards of European Union by means of their substantial differentiation from European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM) model. The aim of this paper is to propose the necessity for a diverse business excellence system, which respects the cross-cultural differentiations of EU countries. Design/methodology/approach - This research is based on information gathered by means of structured questionnaires, telephone interviews with representative Quality Award organizations and other written material collected from literature. Findings - The findings are summarized as follows. EU countries do not have a common framework to address business excellence, however the "European Quality Award" based on the "EFQM Excellence Model" is the most widespread in the previous decade. There is a tendency towards own developments on national quality awards in the current decade. There is a clear indication of Quality Awards "nature" across EU: there are the national ones which are supported by their governments in the sense of financial support to organizations and the private ones which are supported by associations, chambers, private organizations and non profit organizations. There is a tendency of all social and business partners (in the governmental and private sector) to participate in the organizations so as to administer and manage the awards and business excellence models. This participation varies according to the political system of the EU country. Research limitations/implications - This paper reviews only 31 major Total Quality Awards out of the 51 that are identified excluding entrepreneurship awards and regional ones that tend to represent their national quality awards. Future research could include a sector analysis, such as SMEs business excellence awards, or a thorough analysis of public sector awards. Practical implications - The paper reviews all major NQAs in EU and indicates an inclination to move from EFQM model to a more dynamic system of business excellence, which respects the diverse cultures of EU nations. The models, which are called TQM models, business excellence models or national quality award ones are used throughout the paper with the same meaning. Originality/value - This paper is based on both a structured survey and on literature review. It is the first time that is proposed to be published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Waste is a resource. Generating energy from waste instead of sending it to landfill avoids methane gas which equals 25 times CO2 in mass. In combination with the energy efficiency thresholds set in Waste Framework Directive, this could prevent up to a further 45 million tons of CO2 eq. per year. The purpose of this paper is to present the waste-to-energy (WTE) plants installed in ten European cities which have been selected among the most sustainable cities or among the best cities to live in. Design/methodology/approach – The work is based on literature review and a combination of several statistical data and reports that include the required data. Findings – The European Directives, along with the general thinking that wastes are resources and the effort to reduce the environmental impact in urban environment from waste management, were the driving forces. The most sustainable cities in EU considered that their sustainability is based also in energy recovery from wastes. All of them are using WTE facilities to treat a significant part of their waste in order to produce energy in the form of heat and electricity. And they do it in a very successful and environmental friendly way, as they mainly utilize the waste fractions that cannot be recycled or reused, and they do not landfill these resources. This approach is proving that the sustainable waste management cannot be achieved without WTE facilities, since a fraction of wastes consists of non-recyclable and non-reusable materials, which present significant heating value that cannot be neglected as an energy source. Originality/value – This paper presents the WTE plants installed in ten European cities which have been selected among the most sustainable cities or among the best cities to live in. This work aims to present the strong and successful relation between WTE and sustainability in the modern complex urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Despite numerous studies on FGM, little is known about belief systems that support FGM in the EU. The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamic nature of belief systems and enforcement mechanisms that perpetuate FGM among three African migrant communities in the EU. Design/methodology/approach - This paper is based on data collected through community-based participatory action research in three communities: Eritrean and Ethiopian community in Palermo, Italy; Guinea Bissauan community in Lisbon, Portugal; and Senegalese and Gambian community in Banyoles, Spain. A total of 24 FGDs and 70 in-depth narrative interviews were conducted for the research. Findings - The research finds that belief systems supporting the practice of FGM among African migrants in the European diaspora are similar to those in their home countries. Beliefs structured around religion, sexuality, decency, marriage and socialisation are particularly significant in perpetuating FGM in the study migrant communities. These are enforced through sanctions and social expectations from the migrants' home and host communities. Research limitations/implications - Members of the migrant communities that were the focus of this research are ethnically diverse; therefore it is possible that differences in the practice of and views on FGM by various ethnicities may have been masked. Also, due to close linkages between the migrants and their home countries it was hard to delineate beliefs that are specific to the host countries. In addition, it was difficult to assess the level of education of the migrants and how this may have impacted on their beliefs due to their contrasting and inconsistent educational backgrounds. Originality/value - This paper provides evidence to show that the practice of FGM among migrants in the EU is driven by both social norms and individual (parent) behaviour and therefore there is a need for interventions to focus on individual behaviour change and social norm transformation techniques. It also suggests that beliefs around FGM have remained socially significant among migrants despite their exposure to European culture because such beliefs are used to promote the moral standards of girls, marriageability of women, respectability of families, and the assertion of cultural and religious identity in the migrants' new environment. The paper further underscores the role of migrants' European context as well as the home country in strengthening beliefs that perpetuate FGM in the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to perform a systematic cross-country comparison of key features of industrial relations in Europe in a context where consolidated post-war institutions are under attack on many fronts. The author discusses a number of key similarities and differences across the countries of Europe, and end by considering whether progressive alternatives still exist.Design/methodology/approach This paper draws upon academic literature and compares the contributions to this special issue in the light of common problems and challenges.Findings The trend towards the erosion of nationally based employment protection and collective bargaining institutions is widely confirmed. In most of Central and Eastern Europe, where systems of organised industrial relations were at best only partially established after the collapse of the Soviet regime, the scope for unilateral dominance by (in particular foreign-owned) employers has been further enlarged. It is also clear that the European Union, far from acting as a force for harmonisation of regulatory standards and a strengthening of the “social dimension” of employment regulation, is encouraging the erosion of nationally based employment protections and provoking a growing divergence of outcomes. However, the trends are contradictory and uneven.Originality/value This paper contributes to an updated cross-country comparative analysis of the ongoing transformations in European industrial relations and discusses still existing progressive alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to provide a meta-analysis of the main themes emerging from public domain foresight studies on the defence and security environment undertaken in the decade since the 9/11 attacks on the USA. The authors focus mainly on foresight studies undertaken in Europe.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a content analysis of public domain foresight studies.Findings – Foresight studies on the defence and security environment reflect a shift in security thinking away from a focus on state-centric threats towards a much broader view of security risks that includes risks presented by the vulnerability of European society to the failure of critical infrastructure, to pandemics, environmental change and resource based conflicts. The authors place a particular emphasis on the treatment of technological change in these defence and security foresight studies and argue that the growing importance of dual-use technologies is likely to mean that defence will play a declining role as a sponsor and lead-user of advanced technologies in the future.Originality/value – Foresight studies on the defence and security environment have grown in number since 9/11 not least in Europe. However, they have been the subject of little systematic analysis. This paper makes a contribution to such an analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – For many decades, European national governments sought to stamp out undeclared work using a repressive approach. In the changing economic context of declining employment participation rates, however, the European Commission has called for a new approach to transform undeclared work into declared work. This necessitates public policy innovations. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the degree to which this European Commission call for policy innovation has been adopted by European national governments. Design/methodology/approach – To evaluate this, the results are reported of an e-survey conducted in 2010 of 104 senior stakeholders from government departments, trade unions and employer organisations in 31 European countries, and 24 follow-up in-depth interviews. Findings – The finding is that although European nations have responded to the changing economic context and the resultant call by the European Commission for a new approach by adopting an array of innovative new policy measures to facilitate the declaration of undeclared work, stamping out such endeavour through repression measures remains the principal approach in most nations. Research limitations/implications – Until now, few studies have evaluated critically the different policy approaches adopted by European national governments to tackle undeclared work. This paper fills that gap. Practical implications – This paper reveals that if undeclared jobs are to be transformed into declared jobs and economic inclusion promoted, national governments will need to accord more priority to innovative new policy measures to legitimise declared work than is currently the case. Originality/value – This is the first critical evaluation of whether the European Commission call for innovative new policy measures when tackling undeclared work has been implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper seeks to make an assessment of the progress towards a fully fledged internal market for e-communications in the European Union. The assessment is placed in the context of a quarter century of telecommunications reform in Europe.Design/methodology/approach – A combination of qualitative and quantitative assessments is applied with a focus on fixed and mobile communications. The qualitative assessment includes interviews and a questionnaire. The quantitative assessment is based on econometric analysis of panel data.Findings – Removing the remaining barriers in the internal market may in the long run provide benefits of €27-55bn or the equivalent of 0.2-0.4 percent of GDP at the European level. Major barriers identified are related to the degree of openness of national markets and the ability of telecom firms to exploit EU-level economies of scale.Research limitations/implications – In the econometric benefit analysis no secondary effects are included. Further research is recommended to assess the effects, costs and benefits of enforcing a higher degree of harmonisation.Practical implications – The paper provides insights and recommendations that are valuable for policy makers.Originality/value – The paper places the research executed in support of a study for the European Commission in the historical context of the telecommunications reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the recent performance of European Union (EU) telecommunications policy in the context of the policy aims set out in the original green paper of 1987. It also aims to consider some problems encountered in applying the regulatory rules to interconnection, mobile roaming and broadband.Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on economic and institutional analysis undertaken in 2007, complemented with monitoring of the EU policy response and empirical evidence until 2012.Findings – The paper finds that, despite the success of the regulatory reform of 2003, the EU has encountered problems in dealing with a few "big ticket" policy items via its market reviews. The difficulties stem from a mix of factors, including poor methodological design and an erroneous assumption that effective competition is feasible in all market segments. Three main avenues for improvement are suggested, whilst retaining the basic structure of the cycle of market reviews.Originality/value – The paper draws on theory, as well as empirical and institutional evidence over two decades, to highlight some flaws in dealing with some key telecommunications policy issues in the EU. It is of value to policy makers, industry analysts and academics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – In this paper, the authors aim to assess whether immigrants are more likely to receive welfare payments relative to natives across a range of European countries. They also seek to examine relative rates of poverty across immigrants and natives. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use data from the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions for 2007. They present descriptive statistics and results from probit regressions. Findings – The authors find very little evidence that immigrants are more likely to receive welfare payments when all payments are considered together. This is true whether they use descriptive analysis or regression analysis in which they control for relevant characteristics such as age, gender and education. They do find evidence of higher rates of poverty among immigrants. Research limitations/implications – As the data used do not give an indication of the length of time an immigrant has been in a destination country, the authors are unable to assess whether their observed patterns change with length of stay. Social implications – The results run counter to what seems to be a popular perception, namely, that immigrants are intensive users of welfare. Hence, attitudes may be altered. Originality/value – While other papers may have considered this issue, to the authors' knowledge, none have linked the poverty and welfare analyses. The findings raise the possibility that welfare systems are failing to keep immigrants out of poverty and this is important in the context of the inclusion agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the extent of throughcare provision for prisoners with problematic drug use. Effective throughcare services have been recognised as important because they help to ensure that any progress in treatment made in prison is continued on release. Previous research demonstrates that examples of good practice in throughcare provision for prisoners with problematic drug use exist in many parts of the world. However, evidence from recent work carried out in Europe indicates that the implementation of throughcare services for this group of prisoners is limited and ineffective in some EU member states. This paper aims to explore the reasons for such failure and to identify the barriers to implementing effective throughcare for this particular group of prisoners. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is drawn from research carried out as part of a European project funded by the Directorate General Justice of the European Commission. The project involved six partners from a range of different member states. The research involved a literature review, followed by in-depth interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders. Each partner carried out the qualitative research within their own country, in order to enable the team to capture local nuances. Findings – The findings indicate that key barriers to implementation of effective throughcare are resources which impacts on the availability of support services, attitudes and training of staff and ultimately the continuity of care. Originality/value – This paper adds to the body of knowledge regarding the provision of effective throughcare to those with problematic drug use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – In Central Eastern Europe (CEE) the transition to market democracy significantly influenced the emerging corporate governance practice. The region, however, demonstrates much more diversity in corporate governance than expected in generally similar transition economies and the variables and their impacts only partially overlap with the variables of corporate governance in other regions. This research aims to focus on how to help discover and explain these similarities and differences.Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a review of the secondary literature. The review is carried out with the intention of providing an opportunity to map out new terrains or provide critiques of the direction of a research field. The majority of literature reviewed in the paper is published in refereed journals, but other resources like book chapters, conference papers, reports and in certain cases unpublished materials are added. The paper discusses the key topics and variables according to the requirements of a holistic approach to corporate governance.Findings – The review of available literature indicates that much work has been done on a significant set of variables of corporate governance, both in the domestic (privatization and the legal environment primarily, institutions and market conditions secondarily) and the international (impact of foreign direct investment, European Union directives and expectations, globalization and global institutions like OECD and the WB) context, but this body of research has not been discussed comparatively, within the context of a holistic model. Existing literature in the first two decades after transition has devoted less attention to issues of hierarchy and institutions of corporate governance, although they have relevance to better understand the impact of the macro-level factors on corporate governance practices and their differences in the region. The paper has indicated the importance of a systematic review of macro-level factors, both internal and external from a national perspective, influencing corporate governance practices.Research limitations/implications – A systematic review of the variables of corporate governance in CEE has been missing to date and the theoretical framework adequate for pursuing such research is emerging only recently. The further elaboration and application of a holistic approach is necessary to analyze the numerous aspects that influence and shape corporate governance structures and practices in transition economies and to understand the differences that prevail even after two decades of transition to market democracy.Originality/value – The paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature on corporate governance practices and the factors influencing the emergence and impact of those codes in CEE. It argues for a holistic approach not applied before in the research of corporate governance in transition economies; and discusses the role of external and domestic macro-level factors in explaining the differences in the emerging national practices. It emphasizes the importance of the holistic analysis in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to show evidence and to quantify with forensic econometric methods the impact of the missing trader fraud (MTF) on European carbon allowances markets. This fraud occurred mainly between the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009. In this paper, the financial mechanisms of the fraud are explored and the impact on the market behaviour, as well as the consequences on its econometric features. Design/methodology/approach – In a previous work, the first and second authors showed that the European carbon market is strongly influenced by fundamentals factors as oil, energy, gas, coal and equities. Therefore, the authors calibrated arbitrage pricing theory-like models. These models enabled the impact of each factor on the market to be quantified. In this study, the authors focused more precisely on spot prices quoted on Paris-based Bluenext market over 2008 and 2009. During this period, a significant drop in performances and robustness of the model and a reduced sensitivity of carbon prices to fundamentals was observed. Findings – The authors identify the period where the market was driven by MTF movements and were able to measure the value of this fraud. Soon after governments passed a law that cut the possibility of fraud occurrence the performance of the model improved rapidly. The authors estimate the impact of the value added tax extortion on the carbon market at €1.3 billion. Originality/value – This paper describes the first study that attempts to prove and quantify scientifically the MTF on emission markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the electronic identity (eID) market from a social, technical and regulatory viewpoint, and the opportunities/challenges for policymakers. The paper also aims to discuss whether a single European market for identity is realistic and whether a common eID framework for Europe is timely and appropriate. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents a structured review of user behaviours, a timeline of technical developments, and an analysis of market trends and policy analysis in relation to the eID ecosystem. Findings - Users of electronic systems and applications disclose increasingly more identity-relevant data. These data are often a prerequisite to the supply of advanced electronic services. In economic terms, the utility functions of users and service providers in relation to eID data are divergent. This generates a market asymmetry, as service providers are able to extract value from user data via opaque value propositions. European policymakers have different options to redress this unbalance. An eID framework based on the ''privacy by design'' approach is seen to offer a solution to excessive disclosure, market fragmentation and unclear value propositions. The strengths and weaknesses of the approach are assessed. Research limitations/implications - Results from the application layer of the eID market are based on exploratory research. Evidence from a larger number of cases and sectors is required to determine and articulate emerging value chains. Practical implications - In discussing an eID framework, policymakers should address critical issues concerning resources and funding, balance between online versus offline transactions and between present versus future technologies, users' actual behaviours, the infrastructure of certification and trust, and governance at the industrial, member state and EU levels. Originality/value - The paper draws together research in four domains - social, technical, market and regulatory. It addresses for the first time the barriers to the ''privacy by design approach'', alongside its virtues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper seeks to offer an alternative critique to graduated response, a warning and sanction mechanism aimed at fighting online piracy. Design/methodology/approach - This paper reflects on and frames graduated response in terms of theories on surveillance society and code. In particular, it analyses the graduated response debate in the European Union and the current initiatives in France and the UK. Findings - The paper argues that graduated response portrays rights holders as being in a state of emergency, is a form of social sorting, and has a technological bias. Originality/value - This paper contends that many objections raised to graduated response have been reduced to issues concerning the procedure rather than the principle, and that important societal questions concerning graduated response remain un(der)explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between growth, investment and military expenditure in the case of the European Union-15. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses fixed panel models, random coefficient models and a trivariate VAR model to examine empirically the relationship between these three macroeconomic variables. Findings - The results obtained and reported herein show a significant positive effect of the growth rate on the share of military expenditure and on the share of investment. However, on the whole, the findings do not seem to point to any consistent quantitative relation between defence spending and either growth or investment. Thus, they appear to be in line with the findings of other studies. Originality/value - The economic effects of military spending have drawn considerable attention. Demand side effects on capacity utilisation are one possible channel through which the economy can be positively affected by such expenditure. On the other hand however, reduced investment and capital stock have been reported as a possible negative economic impact of defence outlays that can more than offset any growth inducing effective demand stimulation. The paper attempts a simultaneous assessment of the impact of defence expenditure on both growth and investment for the EU-15, something that has not been tried before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to investigate how green certificates markets have developed in the European Union, with a view to producing consistent recommendations that could be used in future environmental strategies and policies to improve existing schemes for renewable energy promotion and support. Design/methodology/approach - The study was conducted by combining a wide variety of sources, such as regulations, position papers, road-maps, as well as articles and research reports. European experiences in using green certificates to support renewable energies were compared from the point-of-view of the legislative framework and national support systems. Findings -- The findings reveal that improvements in three major areas (legislative framework, national support systems, and cost reduction) are needed in order to achieve a better support for renewable energy generation. Practical implications - The conclusions justify the effort invested in developing green certificates markets and are relevant for policy makers in a very sensitive sector to accomplish sustainability goals - the use of renewable energy. The study may represent a starting-point for further research into renewable energy support systems, environmental issues and economic implications. Originality/value - The paper provides a rational and comparative approach for finding solutions to the problems of green certificates markets in the European Union. The methodology and the results reported in this research could be used for exploring green certificates markets opportunities in other European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to evaluate the prevalence in Europe of a so far little discussed wage practice in which employers pay their declared employees two wages, one declared and the other an undeclared ("envelope") wage. Design/methodology/approach - To evaluate the pervasiveness of envelope wages in Europe, a 2007 Eurobarometer survey on undeclared work is reported involving 26,659 face-to-face interviews which included a section on whether employees are paid an additional envelope wage by their declared employer. Findings - The finding is that one in 20 employees receive some of their wage from their employer as an undeclared "envelope wage" and on average this amounts to two-fifths of their wage packet. This payment arrangement, however, is more prevalent in some businesses, places and populations than others. Smaller businesses and construction firms are more likely to pay envelope wages. Men, younger persons and the lower paid are more likely to receive such wages. And geographically, envelope wages are more common in East-Central Europe, where such payments are more likely to be for regular employment hours, whilst in Continental Europe and Nordic countries envelope wages are less common and received more for overtime or extra work conducted. Practical implications - Through an evaluation of its prevalence, this paper displays the need for action to tackle this illegitimate wage practice and briefly reviews a range of policy options and measures. Originality/value - This is the first extensive evaluation of the commonality of envelope wages in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper seeks to contribute to the study of the link between financial intermediation and economic growth in the context of the European Union and particularly in the context of the integration of new member-states. Design/methodology/approach - Panel fixed and dynamic Arellano-Bond estimates (with balanced panels) were used to explain and compare the influence of financial intermediation with the real per-capita GDP growth in two sub-sets of EU countries: the first one takes into account the availability of quarterly data and comprises 11 "old" EU countries, excluding Luxembourg, Denmark, Ireland and Sweden, for the period between Q2 1980 and Q4 1998; the second panel includes 24 EU countries (excluding only Luxembourg) for the period between Q2 1999 and Q4 2002. The existing empirical evidence was enhanced by introducing some financial variables to explain the real per-capita GDP growth, namely, the real domestic credit growth, the real foreign liabilities growth, the real growth of the sum of the bonds and money market instruments, in addition to two ratios: bank assets/bank liabilities and domestic credit/bank deposits. Findings - The results obtained confirm the importance of these variables to th~ real per-capita GDP growth and allow one to draw conclusions on some differences in the behaviour and the level of -integration of the two groups of EU countries. There is a relatively more homogeneous behaviour in the first panel, while the results for the second panel indicate that, in spite of the relative heterogeneity and the differences in their historical evolution, all the countries have had to adapt rapidly to the increasing competition and to the new EU market conditions. Originality/value - The paper confirms the influence of financial systems on output growth, as well as the efforts of financial institutions to adapt to the new conditions of the European and global markets in spite of all the differences in the historical evolution and initial conditions among EU member-states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — To provide an evaluation of an EL/spectrum policy proposal aimed at furthering the goals of the 12010 Information Society initiative. Design/methodology/approach — This paper revisits the methodology premised on neoclassical principles devised by Ronald Coase. An evaluation of EU spectrum reform based on the work of J.R. Commons is proposed. Findings — The approach by Coase fails to take into account the need for institutional reform of the spectrum management process. The approach of J.R. Commons identifies areas that will have to be addressed if the proposals for EU spectrum reform are to be met. Research limitations/implications — The methodology advanced by J.R. Commons provides a more complete account of interdependent variables associated with spectrum management and is likely to lead to workable solutions to this complex policy problem. However, it is less theoretically coherent than Coase's model. Practical implications — Recommendations for reform and problem areas are suggested that consider both market and extra-market valuation of the spectrum resource. Originality/value — This paper addresses this issue and provides an alternative model based on institutional economic analysis using the methodology given by J.R. Commons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate, following the adoption and implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in the European Union (EU), whether accounting choices continue to be significantly influenced by national institutional factors with particular reference to cultural values, legal systems and equity market development. Design/methodology/approach – The focus of the paper is on the measurement options available under IFRS with respect to investment property, and a study of factors influencing the accounting choices by 66 European investment property companies as disclosed in their annual reports over the period 2005-2010 is conducted. Findings – National institutional factors and, most importantly, cultural values remain persistently important in explaining accounting measurement choices relating to investment property following the implementation of IFRS in the EU. Research limitations/implications – The study is limited to investment property companies in the EU. Future studies could be carried out to compare the explanatory power and causal factors involved in different industry contexts and across more countries. Alternative measures of culture may also provide alternative insights. Originality/value – The paper demonstrates that a nation’s culture and accounting tradition likely has a continuing and significant impact on firms’ measurement decisions. Thus, institutional factors are clearly important in explaining accounting measurement choices and indicate the persistence of international accounting differences even in the context of a globally standardized accounting regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive analysis of the carbon management activities of the cement industry in Europe, based on a study involving the four largest producers of cement in the world. Based on this analysis, the paper explores the relationship between managerial perception and strategy, with particular focus on the impact of government regulation and competitive dynamics. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on extensive documentary analysis and in-depth interviews with senior managers from the four companies who have been responsible for and/or involved in the development of climate change strategies. Findings – It was found that whilst the cement industry has embraced climate change and the need for action, there remains much scope for action in their carbon management activities, with current effort concentrating on hedging practices and win-win efficiency programs. Managers perceive that inadequate and unfavourable regulatory structure is the key barrier against more action to achieve emission reduction within the industry. Interestingly, EU cement companies are also shifting their CO2 emissions to less developed countries of the South. Originality/value – The paper analyses corporate climate strategy in one of the most carbon intensive and yet least studied industries. With specific focus on the EU, the paper highlights a number of policy approaches for encouraging the cement industry on the path of deeper emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper intends to promote a re-consideration of the most appropriate policy framework for implementing the European Union (EU) digital agenda.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines relevant EU documentation and the related research literature on EU telecommunications reform within a context of economic market theory and policy analysis models.Findings – The liberalization principle driving EU telecommunications reform for the past quarter century has stalled, and may be reversed by the policy framework adopted for implementing the digital agenda. The public sector broadband funding model is likely to be wasteful and ineffective. Other options for implementation should be considered.Originality/value – This paper examines current EU policy shaping the development of broadband networks and the evolution of the digital economy and information society. It highlights the progress and limitations of EU policy as it has evolved as a reference for implementation of current policy objectives. It will be of value to policy makers, industry analysts and players, as well as researchers in academia and other institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Economic theory predicts that unemployment benefits may increase expected income and reduce its volatility, thereby attracting immigrants to countries which implement such programs. This article aims to explore whether and how changes in countries' unemployment benefit spending (UBS) affect immigration. Design/methodology/approach – Data are collected for 19 European countries over the period 1993-2008. The relationship between immigration flows and UBS is first tested using the OLS technique. Instrumental variable (IV) and generalised method of moments (GMM) are then used to address reverse causality. Findings – While the OLS estimates suggest the existence of a moderate within-country welfare magnet effect for the inflows of non-EU immigrants, the IV approach reveals that the impact is substantially smaller and statistically insignificant when GMM techniques are implemented. Research limitations/implications – Since information on the immigrants' country of origin is not available, it is not possible to exclude that for immigrants coming from certain areas, unemployment benefits constitute a strong incentive to immigrate. This hypothesis awaits further research, once detailed data is available. Originality/value – This paper complements previous literature on immigration and welfare by exploring the endogenous nature of welfare spending. The empirical results provide insights into the interaction between immigration and welfare policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a typology of different family policy systems in Europe and evaluate their impact on the employment strategy of mothers with care responsibilities for dependent children. Design/methodology/approach – The paper outlines a typology of family policy regimes in Europe – covering the 26 countries. A typology based on a cluster analysis of macro indicators of family policy – coverage of childcare, effective parental leave and spending on family policies. The cluster analysis is based on data from OECD family data base. Then follows an analysis of the impact of the different family policy regimes on mothers' employment strategies when they return into gainful employment, based on data from the European Social Survey, 2008. Findings – The authors have identified four different family policy models: extensive family policy, long parental leave, family care, and cash for care. For each of the models, different strategies are found for take up of employment for mothers with dependent children. Originality/value – The paper includes 26 European countries, thereby covering the East and Central Europe, which is not the case in most welfare typologies. Furthermore, the authors distinguish clearly in the analyses between the institutional dimension and the outcome – mothers' employment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between the emerging European activation policies and the evolution of domestic activation policies and its governance. Drawing on the emerging Europeanization debate and comparative literature on activation, the crucial research question will be the following: is there a European Union (EU)-induced convergence in domestic activation policies in the EU? Design/methodology/approach – Following Bonoli's work, the article unpacks activation in two dimensions (human capital investment and employment market orientation) and looks at the trajectories of seven Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries using OECD active labour market policy (ALMP) expenditure data. Findings – The article argues that there is only limited EU-induced convergence towards the employment assistance component of the EU hybrid model and similarly limited convergence can be seen with respect to the governance of activation policies. Although fully-fledged explanations of such limited convergence go beyond the scope of this article, the paper puts forward two tentative explanations which should be tested with further research: first, the lack of convergence may lie primarily in the overall "softness" of the European Employment Strategy (which means, among other things, limited resources), but the lack of convergence may also lie in the lack of administrative capacities enabling member state governments to fully implement innovative activation policies. Originality/value – The paper is innovative since it empirically tests the role of European policies and ideas in shaping domestic reforms of activation policies. Contrary to other findings, the article shows that there is a limited degree of convergence and that the role is particularly negligible with respect to implementation capacities of reformed activation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The paper seeks to investigate the factors that affect the adoption of e-business by firms belonging to European Union (EU) countries, by comparing the effect across two different industries: telecommunications (telco) and tourism. Design/methodology/approach - Data were collected from 2,459 firms belonging to EU27 countries across two industries. The data were analyzed by employing factorial analysis and relevant hypotheses were derived and tested by logistic regression analysis. Findings - The results suggest that the perceived benefits and obstacles of e-business, technology readiness, competitive pressure, and trading partner collaboration are the drivers that are important for both industries. Through the comparison of the industries, statistically significant differences between the telco and the tourism industries, i.e. the relative importance of all drivers for e-business adoption differs between the industries, were found. The only exception is competitive pressure. Research limitations/implications - The cross-sectional nature of this paper does not allow knowing how this relationship will change overtime. Practical implications - The findings offer valuable insight to managerial and policy makers; they should promote information and communication technology infrastructure, information technology training programmes to employees, and trading partner collaboration with business partners in each industry mainly in the tourism industry. Originality/value - To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is one of the first that examines adoption of e-business with a multi-industries comparison of EU27 countries using a research model that combines the Tornatzky and Fleischer model and the Iacovou et al. model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of the paper is to review the progress made with the EU Roaming Regulation and to identify policy options from the review that the EC must now undertake. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents a review of the development of the two regulations, of the market developments in the EU and beyond, and an identification of the policy and regulatory options. Findings - The new Commission is constrained by the decision not to use a competition law approach and the lack of a robust market definition, and thus a further period of price controls seems unavoidable. Research limitations/implications - Key documents and data are not available, making analysis of certain constraints and revenue flows between operators impossible to evaluate. Practical implications - The EC will have to craft a new set of price controls and develop a pathway towards the use of the directives to regulate roaming charges. Originality/value - The paper is a first attempt to identify options and constraints for the future regulation of international mobile roaming charges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the governance arrangements (GAs) for social and environmental sustainability in Europe. It states that the Brundtland Report and its strategy was based on inter-governmental treaties and its suggests an alternative strategy which focus on GAs rather than regional governmental agencies. The study presents a conceptual paper on the principles for sustainability international governance based on the experience in the European Union governance. Result shows that among the most important institutional or political changes, the expansion of the competences of the EU as the point for environmental sustainability.

Purpose - What rules, if any, should regulators put in place to provide incentives for timely and efficient investment in next generation fibre access networks (NGA) while, at the same time, preventing monopoly abuse, either by taking monopoly rents from end users or harming downstream competition? This paper aims to focus on these issues. Design/methodology/approach - The findings in this paper are based on review of existing work in the area and on interviews with 25 operators and regulators across the European Union. Findings - Active (bitstream) remedies will be important for preserving competition in the supply of retail, NGA-based, products. Regulators should specify the price regulation principles, which would apply to operators found to have significant market power (SMP) in NGA supply in advance of any market definition and SMP assessment. Regulators should allow access providers to provide distinct NGA-based bitstream products to meet the needs of different segments of the end-user market and to then charge for these products at the wholesale level so as to reflect their value to end users rather than their costs. Originality/value - This paper is designed to simulate general debate on the best way to regulate NGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The paper seeks to investigate the effects of the 2004 Central and East European EU Enlargement on labour mobility. Design/methodology/approach -- The paper is based on an analysis of recently available empirical evidence from the UK Labour Registration Scheme and EU comparative data based on administrative data and labour force surveys. Findings -- Only Ireland, Austria and Germany had significant migration from CEE migration and none of these exceeded 2 per cent of the labour force. The imposition of a transitional arrangement had little effect on migration flows. CEE workers were predominantly young, had above average education and yet did not fill UK skills gaps, but filled labour shortages for low paid, unskilled work. Originality/value -- This paper assesses the empirical evidence on labour mobility from Central and Eastern Europe, which is used to assess the current highly contentious debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The purpose of this paper is to discuss the prospects of integrated planning and management of the environment in the context of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and river basin planning. Design/methodology/approach — The paper analyses the legal framework of the WFD and other related water and environmental legislation as well as the provisions for integrative practice in the WFD. Moreover it analyses the potential for integration with issues that are not provided for in the WFD, such as land use. The procedural elements of the WFD and other EU legislation are analysed for identifying common elements within a modern consensus and efficiency based planning mode. Findings — Three aspects of the integrated management framework for water and other environmental resources are highlighted. The first concerns the need for interaction between spatial land use planning and the integrated river basin management plans of the WFD, in order to ensure that land-use plans do not contradict water goals and that water planning also takes into account broader landscape related aspects. This demands the establishment of platforms for institutional interplay. The second is the need to integrate water goals into sectoral policies. This may be ensured by activating the impact assessment procedures for projects, plans and programmes which may have an impact on water resources and quality. The third concerns elements and procedures which are common to several pieces of legislations (e.g. management plans, monitoring, public participation), and which could benefit from the establishment of common databases, spatial information systems, and methods of communication. Originality/value — The paper aims to identify key issues related to integration of the WFD with other environmental EU legislation, the associated challenges posed to water management and other environmental management institutions and procedures, and the information systems and methods which may facilitate the integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the challenges for public participation in river basin management and planning and to develop a set of guidelines for a successful public consultation. Design/methodology/approach — The current paper describes and analyses the requirements and expectations regarding public participation in river basin planning and identifies some obstacles and recommendations for the process. Findings — The research carried out identified a wide range of challenges for the practical implementation of the public involvement in river basin planning as stated in the Water Framework Directive. The involvement of the public is critical for a successful implementation of the Water Framework Directive. Hence, public participation is greatly emphasised in the Directive. Article 14 of the Water Framework Directive requires that Member States encourage involvement of all stakeholders into the implementation process, especially into the River Basin Management Planning. Practical implications — The paper may assist river basin managers to design, perform and evaluate the public consultation of river basin management plans. Originality/value — The paper analyses the obstacles for the public consultation as part of the Water Framework Directive implementation. Based on the analysis the paper defines a range of guidelines and recommendations for the practical consultation design. This work is original, as no such analysis has been carried out before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explain the competitiveness obstacles that European businesses face, which, if not addressed, limit the potential of the EU economy, particularly in terms of the Lisbon goals. Adopting a broadly defined compliance-centred approach, the paper seeks to identify how some significant competitiveness obstacles of European business might best be addressed. Design/methodology/approach - In-depth interviews in 44 multinational and medium-sized companies were used to investigate compliance requirements, the tools and methods used to manage compliance, compliance-related obstacles to competitiveness. A survey of four European Information Centres was conducted to evaluate their effectiveness in achieving their stated mission. Findings - Organisations lacked systems to proactively manage compliance to allow them to deepen or sustain their competitive positioning. Companies were concerned with the reliability and comprehensiveness of reports on compliance risks and how these could be related to prioritised strategic goals. A gap was identified between regulation production and dissemination, and conversion of regulatory information into knowledge used to gain and maintain business advantage. This gap is inadequately filled by business supports, including the European Information Centres. Originality/value - The business-focused approach to managing compliance suggested here could increase the competitiveness of EU businesses and the EIC Network is potentially well positioned to play its part in the value-adding process of both the providers and consumers of EU information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The paper aims to query the value of strategies implemented, notably in France, and to demonstrate the largely ignored link between demographics and economics. Design/methodology/approach - The paper achieves its objective by comparing statistics of European Union (EU) members and competitors to reveal that traditional views on economics and social policy may no longer apply. Findings - The paper finds that the Old Europe stagnated due to political lack of will, but a renewed Europe has begun. The Euro as scapegoat for poor performance is dismissed. Productivity figures show how foreign trade and debt can be efficiently managed. Overall, trade must be encouraged worldwide. Low-wage countries will inevitably compete and cannot ethically be ignored. The subsidy debate heats up as the EU agricultural policy ends and the USA extends Farm Aid. Regardless, EU members must focus on sustainable development. The low birthrate in the Old Europe means social policy should be reformed to encourage families to have children and allow selective immigration to meet labour needs. The implication is that France - Europe in general - must review the EU mission and structure. The French president seems to be headed in this direction. In future research, demographics must be monitored to make social and economic plans for the working lives of our youth and retirement of our seniors. Originality/value - This paper will interest economists, politicians and policy-makers, especially those unaware of the role of demographics in productivity and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present development in the alcohol policy area in Europe in the last 30 years. Design/methodology/approach: Description of policy instruments and analysis of legal basis are used in this study. Findings: Progress has been achieved in some areas; however, as complicated policy areas, it requires constant effort and engagement of all public health actors. Research limitations/implications: Continuous advocacy effort leads to increased policy actions, interest and research in the area. Lack of policy instruments jeopardises the future of the field. Practical implications: This study provides a brief overview of policy landscape and aims to spark readers interest in the alcohol policy. Originality/value: This study provides an overview of a policy field, not only looking at the legal basis but also meshing with the experience of working in an alliance of civil society organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]