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This paper explores differences between equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer (p2p) lending determinants of cross-border activity, from a user's perspective. We use a unique database of survey respondents, registered in equity crowdfunding and p2p lending platforms across Europe. We find clear differentiations between equity crowdfunding and p2p lending. Equity crowdfunders are driven mainly by excitement while p2p lenders are driven by higher returns. As regards cross-border activity, equity crowdfunders are almost 7 times more likely to invest in foreign projects. Both equity crowdfunders and p2p lenders try to achieve diversification via cross-border activity, following however different strategies. We conclude that these differences should be taken under consideration, while implementing the pan-European regulatory framework for crowdfunding with financial returns (ECSP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the incorporation of Directive 2011/24/EU into national legislations European citizens will seek cross-border healthcare services. However, medical errors are an inherent part of medical practice. Major differences in European redress systems might create an environment of legal uncertainty and reduce the confidence of patients in seeking cross-border healthcare. After assessing European citizens' perception regarding errors, we will try to examine if the aforementioned uncertainty is clarified by the EU legislation. Given that formal harmonization measures have not been legislated, the total convergence of redress systems is currently infeasible. Nevertheless, Member States could achieve a natural convergence through the reform of their national rules and the gradual adoption of common principles. The article will try to propose these principles and emphasize the key objectives reform in this area should aim at, in order to be effective in both enhancing legal certainty and balancing conflicting goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Directive 2011/24/EU was designed to clarify the rights of EU citizens in evaluating, accessing and obtaining reimbursement for cross-border care. Based on three regional case studies, the authors attempted to assess the added value of the Directive in helping clarify issues in to two key areas that have been identified as barriers to cross- border care: liability and data protection. Study design: Qualitative case study employing secondary data sources including research of jurisprudence, that set up a Legal framework as a base to investigate liability and data protection in the context of cross-border projects. Methods: By means of three case studies that have tackled liability and data protection hurdles in cross-border care implementation, this article attempts to provide insight into legal certainty and uncertainty regarding cross-border care in Europe. Results: The case studies reveal that the Directive has not resolved core uncertainties related to liability and data protection issues within cross-border health care. Some issues related to the practice of cross-border health care in Europe have been further clarified by the Directive and some direction has been given to possible solutions for issues connected to liability and data protection. Conclusions: Directive 2011/24/EU is clearly a transposition of existing regulations on data protection and ECJ case law, plus a set of additional, mostly, voluntary rules that might enhance regional border cooperation. Therefore, as shown in the case studies, a practical and case by case approach is still necessary in designing and providing cross-border care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies how the presence of cross-border as opposed to domestic venture capital investors is associated with the growth of portfolio companies. For this purpose, we use a longitudinal research design and track sales, total assets and payroll expenses in 761 European technology companies from the year of initial venture capital investment up to seven years thereafter. Findings demonstrate how companies initially backed by domestic venture capital investors exhibit higher growth in the short term compared to companies backed by cross-border investors. In the medium term, companies initially backed by cross-border venture capital investors exhibit higher growth compared to companies backed by domestic investors. Finally, companies that are initially funded by a syndicate comprising both domestic and cross-border venture capital investors exhibit the highest growth. Overall, this study provides a more fine-grained understanding of the role that domestic and cross-border venture capital investors can play as their portfolio companies grow and thereby require different resources or capabilities over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the plan of the European Commission (EC) to issue a regulatory proposal on central securities depositories (CSDs) in Europe. The planned regulation aims to harmonize safety standards and access rights among infrastructures, as well as improve efficiency and stability in the financial market. However, it suggests the need for financial regulators to clearly define the right balance between competition and safety to effectively implement such measure.

The EU Directive on the activities and supervision of institutions for occupational retirement provision was originally envisaged as a mechanism to facilitate pension planning across the EU for pan-European employers. One of the main objectives of the Directive was to allow pension funds to benefit from the Internal Market principles of free movement of capital and free provision of services. As such, the Directive enables the management of occupational pension funds for companies established in one Member State to operate across the EU, allowing a pan-European company to have just one pension fund for all its subsidiaries all over Europe. It also put in place minimum prudential standards, which are designed to ensure that pension fund members and beneficiaries are properly protected. However, take-up of cross-border IORPs has fallen well below expectations. This article examines some of the different approaches adopted for identification and recognition of pan-European pension funds, and considers the impact of such approaches in encouraging (or otherwise) cross-border activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses the legal framework, the benefits and the difficulties of cross-border development plans. They will be presented by examining the advantages and disadvantages of two possible models with respect to a range of relevant criteria. The most important criteria are elements of procedural law, especially public participation; the preparation of planning regulations; the structure of the planning entity; and the implementation of templates into national legal systems. This analysis will point out, that the greatest obstacle to be overcome is assimilating the legal systems of the states involved—irrespective of which model is taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ever since 2020, travelling has become complex, and increasingly so as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. To reopen Europe safely, a consensus of travel measures has been agreed between countries to enable movement between countries with as few restrictions as possible. However, communication of these travel measures and requirements for entry are not always clear and easily available. The aim of this study was to assess the availability, accessibility and harmonization of current travel information available in Europe., Methods: We performed a systematic documental analysis of online publicly available information and synthesized travel entry requirements for all countries in the European Union and Schengen Area (N = 31). For each country we assessed entry requirements, actions after entry, how risk was assessed, and how accessible the information was., Results: We found varying measures implemented across Europe for entry and a range of exemptions and restrictions, some of which were consistent between countries. Information was not always easy to find taking on average 10 clicks to locate. Twenty-one countries required pre-travel forms to be completed. Forty apps were in use, 11 serving as digital certification checkers. All countries required some form of COVID-19 certification for entry with some exemptions (e.g. children). Nineteen percent (n = 6) of countries used the ECDC risk assessment system; 80% (n = 25) defined their own. Forty-eight percent (n = 15) of countries used a traffic-light system with 2-5 risk classifications., Conclusion: A comprehensive set of measures has been developed to enable continued safe travel in Europe. However further refinements and coordination is needed to align travel measures throughout the EU to minimize confusion and maximize adherence to requested measures. We recommend that, along with developing travel measures based on a common set of rules, a standard approach is taken to communicate what these measures are., (© International Society of Travel Medicine 2022. Published by Oxford University Press.)

The vision of cooperative, connected and automated mobility (CCAM) across Europe can only be realized when harmonized solutions that support cross-border traffic exist. The possibility of providing CCAM services along different countries when vehicles drive across various national borders has a huge innovative business potential. However, the seamless provision of connectivity and the uninterrupted delivery of services along borders also poses interesting technical challenges. The situation is particularly innovative given the multi-country, multi-operator, multi-telco-vendor, and multi-car-manufacturer scenario of any cross-border layout. This paper introduces the challenges associated to a cross-border deployment of communication technologies through the analysis of three use cases: tele-operated driving, high-definition map generation and distribution for autonomous vehicles, and anticipated cooperative collision avoidance. Furthermore, a set of 5G solutions have been identified to ensure that CCAM services can be supported efficiently in cross-border scenarios. Faster handover of a data connection from one operator to another, generalized inter-mobile edge computing (MEC) coordination, and quality of service (QoS) prediction are some of the solutions that have been introduced to reduce the uncertainties of a real 5G cross-border deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]