Aspects Of Competition Research Articles

Comparison of frameworks for defining land occupation considering on-farm and off-farm feed production on Italian dairy farms.

Land occupation (LO) is one of the most frequently discussed aspects of livestock competition with agricultural activities. commonly In this study the area needed to produce purchased feeds for animal nutrition, was used to estimate the off-farm land occupation of dairy farms, allowing for a precise calculation of the total land occupation requirement for milk production (on-farm plus off-farm LO, expressed in m2 per unit of standardized milk). We use 4 approaches (LO1, LO2, LO3A and LO3B) to calculate the off-farm land used for milk production on dairy farms and apply them to 14 dairy farms in northern Italy as a case study. The LO1 used mass allocation of each purchased product between the fraction of DM yield of each product (main, by-products, and crop residues) derived from the whole crop. This procedure was considered as the reference. The LO2 considered only the main product as the driver of land use without considering by-products. LO3A and LO3B converted all the purchased feeds into energy, protein, and fiber equivalents. LO1 was accurate, even though it was time-consuming, whereas procedures of LO3A and LO3B showed comparable values with easier required input data. When Total LO was considered (on-farm and off-farm using LO1), the average surface to produce milk resulted in 1.47 m2/kg FPCM, however the off-farm LO1 was 0.76 m2/kg FPCM (±0.24 m2/kg). This large variability indicates that LO largely depend on farm management and adopted animal feeding strategies. Moreover, half of the milk production was linked to the purchased feeds. We found positive correlations between all off-farm LO approaches and N surplus (r = 0.45 to r = 0.73), supporting previous studies suggesting that concentrated animal agriculture, in which the fulfillment of the animal's needs has been delegated to purchased feeds, is the main source of nitrogen surplus on farmlands. LO per unit of production can be reduced-by increasing on-farm feed production, particularly protein components and, to a lesser extent, by valorizing by-products, while not increasing the on-farm N surplus and carbon footprint.

Violation of Exclusive Distribution Agreement: Case Study of PT Unilever Indonesia Tbk vs PT Indomarco Prismatama

Breach of exclusive distribution agreement is one of the critical issues that often arise in business relationships between manufacturers and distributors, especially in competitive industries such as fast-moving consumer goods. The case involving PT Unilever Indonesia Tbk and PT Indomarco Prismatama (Indomaret) is a clear example of such a dispute, where the dispute arose from an alleged breach of an exclusive distribution agreement by Indomaret. Unilever claimed that Indomaret, acting as one of their main distributors, had sold Unilever's products outside the terms stipulated in the exclusive agreement, including selling the products below the agreed price or even to third parties not included in the authorized distribution network. This study examines in depth the legal aspects of exclusive distribution agreements in the context of business disputes in Indonesia, with a focus on the Supreme Court's decision number 1559 K/Pdt/2015 which upheld Unilever's claim for breach of contract by Indomaret. Through normative juridical analysis, this research seeks to explore the implications of the ruling for product distribution practices in Indonesia, as well as how such breaches may affect the long-term business relationship between manufacturers and distributors. The analysis shows that exclusive distribution agreements are contractual instruments that have a significant impact on competition in the market. When one party breaches the agreed terms, whether in terms of price, distribution area, or other requirements, the impact is not only limited to legal aspects, but also touches on aspects of reputation and business relationships. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that PT Indomarco Prismatama was guilty of breach of contract and was required to compensate PT Unilever Indonesia Tbk. This judgment emphasizes the importance of compliance with exclusive distribution contracts and the need for strict sanctions to maintain market integrity. The broader impact of this breach also includes aspects of fair competition. This research highlights how non-compliant distribution practices can affect market dynamics, especially when large distributors such as Indomaret are involved. Under these conditions, exclusive distribution violations can create unfair conditions for other business actors who operate in accordance with existing rules. Therefore, in addition to the legal implications of breach of contract, this study also proposes stricter regulations and effective monitoring mechanisms to prevent such practices from occurring in the future. In addition, this study also provides insights into how the business relationship between producers and distributors should be maintained through a clear and transparent contractual mechanism. One of the key findings of this research is the importance of detailed agreements and strict sanctions against violations, as well as the need for close supervision of contract implementation, especially in highly competitive industries. This applies not only to the consumer goods sector, but also to other sectors that rely on extensive and complex distribution systems. Thus, this research contributes to the understanding of the importance of exclusive distribution agreements in maintaining a balance between the business interests of producers and distributors, as well as in ensuring the creation of a competitive and fair business climate. This research also enriches the literature on business and distribution law in Indonesia, and provides practical insights for companies involved in distribution agreements to avoid potential disputes in the future.

Coexistence or extinction: Dynamics of multiple lizard species with competition, dispersal and intraguild predation.

Biological invasions significantly impact native ecosystems, altering ecological processes and community behaviors through predation and competition. The introduction of non-native species can lead to either coexistence or extinction within local habitats. Our research develops a lizard population model that integrates aspects of competition, intraguild predation, and the dispersal behavior of intraguild prey. We analyze the model to determine the existence and stability of various ecological equilibria, uncovering the potential for bistability under certain conditions. By employing the dispersal rate as a bifurcation parameter, we reveal complex bifurcation dynamics associated with the positive equilibrium. Additionally, we conduct a two-parameter bifurcation analysis to investigate the combined impact of dispersal and intraguild predation on ecological structures. Our findings indicate that intraguild predation not only influences the movement patterns of brown anoles but also plays a crucial role in sustaining the coexistence of different lizard species in diverse habitats.

Non-compete clauses in employment contracts: The case for regulatory response

Abstract In the employment context, non-competes are contractual terms which provide that once the employment ends the employee cannot work for another employer in the same industry or field (i.e. a competitor), within a specified geographic area, for a specified time. The existing law and practice regarding non-competes in Australia is plagued with confusion and uncertainty. Non-competes also have adverse economic consequences; they are associated with reduced employee mobility and consequent negative impacts on wages and productivity. The use of non-competes by Australian business has increased over the past 5 years and absent a policy response; this trend is likely to continue. Non-competes are no longer limited to highly paid executives but now apply to about one in five Australian workers, across income, age, occupational, and education groups. The distribution and prevalence of non-competes in Australia are broadly consistent with data in other developed economies. A number of jurisdictions within the Organisation for Economics Co-operation and Development have imposed restrictions on the use of non-competes. The US Federal Trade Commission is considering a ban on their use and, in the UK, the government has announced its intention to limit the term of non-competes to 3 months. In Australia, the Competition Minister has recently asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Treasury for advice on the competitive aspect of non-competes. The Australian Government released an Issues Paper (https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-04/c2024-514668-issues-paper.pdf#page40) – ‘Non-competes and other restraints: understanding the impacts on jobs, business and productivity’ in April 2024. The Issues Paper outlines the existing research and evidence in Australia and overseas on the use and effects of non-competes. A public consultation process will conclude in May 2024 and Treasury will advise the Government on the outcomes of the consultations by the end of 2024. After reviewing the arguments for and against restricting the ‘reach’ of non-competes, I conclude that the weight of the evidence favours a regulatory response to ameliorate the unfairness inherent in the existing law and practice. A number of possible regulatory responses are considered.

Features of criminal prosecution for intentional bankruptcy and for a combination of crimes with related compounds

The subject of this study is a criminal law regulating liability for intentional bankruptcy in relation to fraud, abuse of authority and embezzlement, as well as forgery of documents. The assessment of the competition of the elements of crimes related to intentional bankruptcy traditionally arises in practice in the vast majority of criminal cases considered by the courts. The problem of considering the issue of the correct qualification of the actions of the perpetrator, which led to the insolvency (bankruptcy) of the enterprise, is based on the presence of concomitant actions indicating signs of related crimes, as well as in the double accounting of one damage by several compositions. The purpose of this study, first of all, is to choose the distribution of aspects of competition, the totality and the general ratio of crimes related to intentional bankruptcy. Such an analysis of the constructions of criminal law norms will ensure the identification of the main differentiating factors in the qualification of the actions of the perpetrator that led to insolvency (bankruptcy). The main method in this study is a comparative legal analysis of competing crimes with reference to judicial practice. The novelty of this study lies in the need to study not only related elements of the crime, but also the introduced novel, which expanded the construction of Article 196 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation by introducing qualifying compounds capable of displacing some competing norms in practice. On the basis of which, the issue of the subsequent displacement of adjacent compounds by introducing appropriate qualifying features in Article 196 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation is considered. Thanks to this study, the actual problem of the correct qualification of the actions of the perpetrator in the presence of competitive compositions has been identified. Based on the results of the work done, proposals have been put forward for further improvement of legislation regulating the procedure for bringing to criminal responsibility for committing a crime under Article 196 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and in case of competition with related offences under Articles 159, 160, 201, 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Measuring Regional Competitiveness Through The Regional Development Index

This research aims to conduct an analysis focusing on measuring the level of regional competitiveness by utilizing the regional development index as a measure of regional development performance in Luwu Raya. This measurement examines several indicators considered influential, namely economic, social, infrastructure, and environmental aspects. The sample in this research includes all regions in Luwu Raya, comprising Palopo City, Luwu Regency, North Luwu Regency, and East Luwu Regency. The method employed in this research is quantitative analysis using the composite performance index as the analytical technique. The primary steps in constructing a composite index involve weighting, literature studies, trend determination, alternative index determination, and composite index determination. The results reveal that the regional competitiveness in Luwu Raya is unevenly distributed. Palopo City is the region with the highest level of competitiveness, while two regencies, North Luwu and Luwu, have the lowest levels of competitiveness. The most influential aspect of regional competitiveness is infrastructure, as measured by data on the condition of paved roads and clean water distribution. The problem that needs to be addressed in almost all regions of Luwu Raya is poverty. Infrastructure is a pioneering indicator that can have a significant positive or negative impact on development in Luwu Raya. Therefore, it is expected that the government can focus its development policies on infrastructure to provide multiplier effects on economic and social aspects through inclusive economic growth and job creation.

ForzaETH Race Stack—Scaled Autonomous Head‐to‐Head Racing on Fully Commercial Off‐the‐Shelf Hardware

ABSTRACTAutonomous racing in robotics combines high‐speed dynamics with the necessity for reliability and real‐time decision‐making. While such racing pushes software and hardware to their limits, many existing full‐system solutions necessitate complex, custom hardware and software, and usually focus on Time‐TrIals rather than full unrestricted Head‐to‐head racing, due to financial and safety constraints. This limits their reproducibility, making advancements and replication feasible mostly for well‐resourced laboratories with comprehensive expertise in mechanical, electrical, and robotics fields. Researchers interested in the autonomy domain but with only partial experience in one of these fields, need to spend significant time with familiarization and integration. The ForzaETH Race Stack addresses this gap by providing an autonomous racing software platform designed for F1TENTH, a 1:10 scaled Head‐to‐Head autonomous racing competition, which simplifies replication by using commercial off‐the‐shelf hardware. This approach enhances the competitive aspect of autonomous racing and provides an accessible platform for research and development in the field. The ForzaETH Race Stack is designed with modularity and operational ease of use in mind, allowing customization and adaptability to various environmental conditions, such as track friction and layout, which is exemplified by the various modularly implemented state estimation and control systems. Capable of handling both Time‐Trials and Head‐to‐Head racing, the stack has demonstrated its effectiveness, robustness, and adaptability in the field by winning the official F1TENTH international competition multiple times. Furthermore, the stack demonstrated its reliability and performance at unprecedented scales, up to over on tracks up to 150 m in length.

Connecting the Dots: Bridging Innovation Management and Technology Transfer Through ISO 56002

This paper highlights the significance of centralising innovation within organisations to gain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing world. It emphasises the pivotal role of ISO 56002, a standardised innovation management system, in fostering innovation capacity through diffusion, certification and development. By establishing innovation standards, organisations can consistently generate successful innovations, leveraging their resources and knowledge capital. However, technology transfer faces trust and inter-organisational cooperation barriers. ISO 56002 provides comprehensive guidelines to overcome these challenges and bridge standardisation and innovation perspectives. The proposed framework integrates technology transfer with the ISO 56002 system, consisting of five phases: engagement in innovation processes, certification of technology transferors, overcoming barriers, technology transfer agreements and analysing effectiveness. ISO 56002 facilitates collaboration, resource allocation, strategic planning and adopts a customer-centric approach. This framework fills a literature gap, offering organisations a competitive advantage in technology transfer. The study explores the relationship between ISO 56002 guidelines and technology transfer, emphasising collaboration, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation and improvement. ISO 56002 aligns with various aspects of technology transfer, emphasising sustainability, connectivity and competitiveness. Implementing ISO 56002 drives organisational growth and successful technology transfer.

Fiscal Federalism in the Twenty-First Century

Fiscal federalism concerns the division of policy responsibilities among different levels of government. Many current economic and policy developments, such as globalization, environmental crises, and rising inequality, may not appear to be favorable to fiscal federalism, yet countries are further decentralizing their fiscal systems. We summarize the efficiency and equity aspects of fiscal decentralization, fiscal competition, fiscal externalities, and intergovernmental grants. The review introduces readers to theoretical reasons for/against a federalist structure. We discuss how federalism relates to classic problems in economics: externalities, inequality, spillovers, information, and aspects of political economy. Our review integrates both theory and empirics, while also focusing on the variety of federal systems in different countries, both developing and developed. We conclude by discussing how fiscal federalism is being shaped by economic, technological, and environmental changes, while discussing the effects of globalization, polarization, and global crises on the future of federal systems.

An adaptable fuzzy reinforcement learning method for non-stationary environments

How do we know when a reinforcement learning policy needs to adapt? In non-stationary environments, agents must adapt and learn in environments that change dynamically. We propose a finite-horizon model-free solution using a hierarchical learning structure with fuzzy systems. The higher-level learning policy advises the lower-level policy when to start and stop learning based on the temporal differences calculated within the lower-level. Major differences in the temporal difference of each action produced by an agent may indicate environment change. This structure is tested with multi-agent differential games in both the cooperative and competitive aspect. Results show that this method is quick to notice and adapt the policy within relatively few learning episodes.

PERAN PROFITABILITAS DALAM MEMODERASI PENGARUH FIRM SIZE DAN LEVERAGE TERHADAP NILAI PERUSAHAAN PADA PERUSAHAAN TRANSPORTASI DAN LOGISTIK YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA TAHUN 2019-2022

Indonesia has entered the era of the industrial revolution 4.0 which is clearly visible with an increase in connectivity, interactivity, and boundaries between humans, machines, and resources on information technology and other communications. Judging from the current business world on the aspect of competition, the Indonesian economy is increasingly experiencing major developments. The transportation and logistics sector has an important role in people's lives driven by the increasing needs of the community for mobility and transportation of goods to all regions. Despite the ongoing economic crisis, transportation services will continue to operate smoothly because people will continue to use them to send goods from producers to consumers, regardless of the conditions in which they work. The purpose of this study was to analyze and test the role of Profitability in Moderating the effect of Firm size and Leverage on Firm value. The population in this study were transportation and logistics companies with 37 companies listed consecutively on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2019-2022. The sampling technique was determined by purposive sampling. Data analysis and hypothesis testing using Structural Equation Analysis - Partial Least Square (PLS-SEM). The results of research hypothesis testing using the Smart PLS 3.0 application, show that Firm size has a significant negative effect on firm value, Leverage has a significant positive effect on firm value, Profitability does not significantly moderate the effect of Firm size on firm value, Profitability does not significantly moderate the effect of Leverage on firm value.

The Applications of Social Media for Luxury Brand Management — A Narrative Review

Purpose — The emergence of social media and digital technologies has reformed the competitive aspect for firms that quickly acknowledged the increasing relevance of social media platforms for business purposes social media is emerging as an important part of our lives. Luxury brands are gaining popularity as the customers are getting richer. In this paper, we did an extensive review of the research papers to understand the applications of social media for luxury brands management. We also studied the data analysis techniques used in those research papers. Methodology — The papers related to the applications of social media for luxury brand management were collected using related keywords. We searched the papers with the keywords such as “Social media marketing” and “Luxury brands”, “Social media consumer engagement” and “Luxury brands”, “Social media consumer response” and “Luxury brands” and “Social media communication” and “Luxury brands” in Scopus database. Findings — Marketing and customer response are the two main categories of the applications of the social media for luxury brand management. Regarding data analysis techniques, traditional data analysis models such as structural equation modelling, regression, etc. have been used more as compared to data mining, text mining, etc. process. Originality — We propose a new categorisation of different research papers related to applications of social media for luxury brand management. We also did an extensive study of the data analysis techniques to conclude that traditional data analysis models have been mostly used in this research area. The recommendations to social media marketing professionals related to luxury brands have been presented to improve the effectiveness of social media campaigns for luxury brands. We also suggest challenges and future research directions in this area.

Non-thermodynamic factors affect competition between thermophilic chemolithoautotrophs from deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

The deep subsurface is the largest reservoir of microbial biomass on Earth and serves as an analog for life on the early Earth and extraterrestrial environments. Methanogenesis and sulfur reduction are among the more common chemolithoautotrophic metabolisms found in hot anoxic hydrothermal vent environments. Competition between H2-oxidizing sulfur reducers and methanogens is primarily driven by the thermodynamic favorability of redox reactions with the former outcompeting methanogens. This study demonstrated that competition between the hydrothermal vent chemolithoautotrophs Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, Methanothermococcus thermolithotrophicus, and Desulfurobacterium thermolithotrophum is also influenced by other overlapping factors such as staggered optimal growth temperatures, stochasticity, and hydrology. By modeling all aspects of microbial competition coupled with field data, a better understanding is gained on how methanogens can outcompete thiosulfate reducers in hot anoxic environments and how the deep subsurface contributes to biogeochemical cycling.

Rozwiązania instytucjonalne na rzecz rozwoju konkurencyjności sektora gazu ziemnego w UE

The study explores the subject of sectoral competitiveness on the example of gas sectors in different European countries. Literature review on sectoral competitiveness suggests that the concept has evolved considerably over time and that contemporary definitions of competitiveness span beyond traditional economic factors. Studies on gas sector in this context to date, however, have largely focused on export competitiveness of upstream activities. To address the research gap, a targeted approach is suggested to study and compare competitiveness of the entire national gas sectors, spanning beyond standard productivity measures. A dedicated synthetic indicator is designed to perform a comparative analysis of contemporary gas sectors, taking account of the gas price offered to the industry, institutional performance, infrastructure readiness and job creation potential. Then, the case study is presented and it examines four countries that have liberalized their gas sectors and are reliant on gas imports to a different degree. Results confirm that the application of a synthetic indicator factoring in different aspects of sectoral competitiveness is appropriate to arrive at a holistic view of gas sector’s relative performance. The significance of the institutional setup is also confirmed from the perspective of inducing investment, enhancing market liquidity, as well as creating sustainable jobs in the gas sector.

The intersection of promotion policies, research habitus, and capital distribution: a qualitative case study of two higher education contexts in the United Arab Emirates

IntroductionCareer advancement must be based on merit, according to the universal norm. However, faculty members continue to express their dissatisfaction with the existing promotion policies and practices, highlighting issues like ambiguity, lack of transparency, inconsistent implementation, and the overall fairness of the evaluation process. This study aimed to explore the intersections of promotion policies with the research habitus and the distribution of different forms of capital in two higher education institutes in the United Arab Emirates.MethodsData were gathered from a purposively selected sample of faculty members using semi-structured interviews in addition to key policy documents at both institutes.Results and discussionUsing Bourdieu’s notion of habitus, capital, and field, the study identified key characteristics of the research habitus and how it shapes perceptions towards aspects of competitiveness and collegiality as practiced in the research world. The study also examined potential relationships between research habitus and promotion policies. Finally, the study explored capital distribution in the research field and identified some of the undisclosed aspects of the promotion world, highlighting areas like prior education, affiliations, professional experience, cultural background, ethnicity, and social networks as some of the factors that may play a role in the promotion outcomes. The findings of the study can be used to offer an additional layer of understanding some hidden rules of academic research fields and capital distribution in light of institutional policy development and enactment. Such understanding can be used to make recommendations on how existing challenges can be addressed to improve perceptions of the clarity and fairness of faculty promotion policies and encourage more transparent practices.

Potential Competition and the 2023 Merger Guidelines

The 2023 Merger Guidelines devote a section to mergers that eliminate potential competition. This is an important contribution because agency guidelines have not discussed the subject in detail for almost 50 years. The new Guidelines follow the traditional distinction that has been upheld in the courts between a merger’s effects on incumbent responses to perceived potential competition and the potential effects of actual entry. Antitrust enforcement should assess both possible aspects of potential competition in an integrated fashion because harm from a merger occurs not infrequently from the elimination of actual potential competition; and when the elimination of perceived potential competition has an effect, it often occurs along with and as a consequence of the elimination of actual potential competition. Economic studies suggest that the benefits of perceived potential competition are less than some courts have assumed and that the benefits of actual potential competition are greater. Rather than focusing solely on the probability of harm from the elimination of a potential entrant, antitrust enforcement should adopt a sliding scale that takes into account the magnitude of the benefits for consumers or suppliers if entry is successful. Mergers with potential and nascent competitors can be harmful even if the probability of actual entry absent the merger is small.

Exemplary Self-Discipline, Leniency towards Others: Competitive Contexts Amplify the "Black Sheep Effect" in Restoring Ingroup Trust.

Intergroup interaction, a pivotal aspect of social interaction, encompasses both cooperation and competition. Group identity significantly impacts individual behaviors and decision-making processes. This influence manifests in two contrasting ways when addressing rule-breaking by interaction partners: in-group favoritism, where individuals are more lenient towards infractions committed by in-group members, and the black sheep effect, where in-group members are penalized for their rule-breaking. Although trust is crucial in intergroup interactions, the precise impact of group identity on trust restoration and the potential moderating role of intergroup interaction types remain to be elucidated. This study presents two experiments designed to explore these dynamics. In Study 1, the manipulation of group identity through a point estimation task was utilized to evaluate its impact on intergroup trust restoration via a series of repeated trust games. Study 2 aimed to explore the moderating role of intergroup interaction on intergroup trust restoration by contrasting cooperation and competition situations. The results uncovered a "black sheep effect", where participants demonstrated a greater propensity for trust restoration with out-group members than with in-group members. This effect, however, was only evident in competitive contexts. Conversely, in cooperative contexts, the individual's trust in the in-group and out-group members is effectively repaired. These findings contribute to a deeper comprehension of trust dynamics in intergroup interactions, promoting trust establishment and repair between diverse groups, thereby boosting team collaboration efficiency and mitigating conflicts.

Competition and Digital Game Design: a Self-Determination Theory Perspective

Abstract Although competition is a common feature of digital games, nuances of when and why aspects of competition influence players' motivation and well-being have been surprisingly underexplored, especially through the lens of self-determination theory (SDT). In this critical review, we: (1) describe how a mini-theory of SDT, cognitive evaluation theory (CET), can help predict when and why aspects of competition will alternatively satisfy or frustrate basic psychological needs in digital games with downstream effects on players' motivation and well-being; (2) apply the Motivation, Engagement and Thriving in User Experience (METUX) model to outline ways competition in digital games can influence motivation and well-being at multiple levels; and (3) prioritize future research directions. Finally, we argue that digital games, given their diversity, adaptability and massive reach, represent an especially powerful context for studying competition, motivation and well-being. Research Highlights This critical review integrates self-determination theory (SDT)-guided models and research related to HCI, sports psychology and well-being supportive design to advance understanding of competition in digital games. Introduces a new taxonomy of competition relevant to SDT and digital games, including macro-level categories, general elements and specific features. Presents a competition and digital gaming specific cognitive evaluation theory (CET) model linking different aspects of competition in digital games to basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration, motivation, health and well-being. Applying the METUX model, we map out ways researchers and game makers can think about aspects of competition in digital games at multiple levels or spheres of influence. Prioritizes future directions for research, specifically related to experimentally manipulating digital feedback and digital representations of self and others in digital games.

FORMATION OF A COMPETITIVENESS MANAGEMENT MECHANISM TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ENTERPRISES

The article is devoted to the study of approaches to the formation of a mechanism for managing the competitiveness of enterprises. The main factors ensuring the formation of effective competitiveness in modern conditions, as well as ways and methods of increasing the competitiveness of enterprises are identified. The key aspects of the enterprise's competitiveness are considered, taking into account modern operating conditions and the influence of internal and external factors on the sustainability of its development. The influence of the war on the activities of domestic enterprises is analyzed. It is substantiated that in market conditions the efficiency of enterprises is largely determined by their financial and economic prospects, profitability and competitiveness. It is competitiveness that determines the ability of an enterprise to sell such goods or services, the consumer attractiveness of which is higher than similar ones offered by competitors. Factors with the help of which it is advisable to assess the level of competitiveness of an enterprise in the market have been identified. A number of measures have been proposed to increase the level of competitiveness of an enterprise in conditions of instability. The main problems of increasing the level of competitiveness of an enterprise are identified, related, first of all, to the development of a competitiveness management system, the main element of which is the competitive strategies of the enterprise. Management of an enterprise's competitiveness should be aimed at neutralizing, overcoming and limiting the influence of negative, destructive factors of the influence of the external environment on the level of competitiveness. Forming a defense against them, using positive external influences to build up and implement a system of competitive advantages and enterprise strategies. It is noted that the competitive strategies of an enterprise must be adapted to the peculiarities of the structure of the competitive environment, as well as to the peculiarities of market dynamics

Borrowing Absolute and Relative Gains to Science Diplomacy Conceptualization

Science diplomacy is an emerging concept in International Relations. But the existing traditional conceptualization of science diplomacy (science in diplomacy, diplomacy for science, and science for diplomacy) has optimistic scope and objective while ignoring the conflictual nature of international relations. This article argues borrowing relative and absolute gains can address the conceptual problem of science diplomacy. The borrowing presents a classification of science diplomacy into two types, prospective (using diplomacy to attain the maximum individual payoffs in science) and restrictive (using diplomacy to hinder others from advancing capabilities in science). By demonstrating it with Japan's science diplomacy in the inaugural meeting of Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum and the first meeting of the East Asia Science and Innovation Area (e-ASIA) Joint Research Forum, this article found that the classification of science diplomacy as prospective and restrictive helps study the cooperative and competitive aspects of state actors' science diplomacy.