Competitive Elements Research Articles

Mobile Technologies in the Process of Teaching Music Theory

The article provides teaching materials on the use of mobile technologies in the music-theoretical courses of children’s art schools. The use of mobile technologies allows teachers to organize their teaching activities (create a portfolio or a website), create an environment for remote support for learners (virtual classroom with assignments, tests, etc.), change the principles of classwork and homework by means of mobile applications and by making training programs personal and individual, adapted to the needs of each student. Tablets and gadgets have always attracted children, therefore, these familiar devices and the element of game and competition (various music applications) can help music-theoretical courses become much more interesting, draw children’s attention and energize them.

Bankers’ Remuneration Reforms and Future Challenges

The desire to structure the remuneration of top banking executives and other material risk takers (MRTs), particularly the elements that are risk sensitive and aligned with long–term incentives of their institutions, is at the centre of the regulatory debate. This discussion is part of the wider debate on the creation of cross–country banking regulation that is aimed at reducing systemic risk in the banking industry whilst maintaining its competitive and innovative elements. Following the introduction of the Capital Requirements Directives (CRD) III and IV the academic literature has shed some light on the benefits and costs of restrictions on variable pay, malus and clawbacks, and group behaviour of MRTs. Yet, we are still far from understanding the real costs and benefits of these reforms and the forthcoming CRD V, and how these will support the demands of fintech transformation of the banking industry and the need to promote sustainable finance.

MOTIVATION - AS THE MAIN INCENTIVE FOR SIMULATION TRAINING IN SURGERY

This work is devoted to the study of the motivation of students-surgeons. The use of a competitive element in teaching surgery is proposed to increase motivation to engage in simulation classes.

Düşük Maliyetli Havayolu İşletmelerinde Bilet Fiyatlarına Etki Eden Rekabetçi Unsurların Değerlendirilmesi

Aim: This study was designed to determine the competitive elements that are thought to have an impact on the ticket prices of low-cost airlines.Method: Using ticket prices from routes in which Pegasus Airlines operates, a model was formed to examine the relationship between ticket prices and a variety of variables including the monthly frequency of the routes, the monthly available seats, the market share on the route, whether it is a monopoly on the route or not, the number of airlines operating on that route, whether there is another low-cost carrier on that route as well as the level of concentration on the route. Linear regression analysis and T-Test were used to test the model and reveal the levels of difference.Findings: The study found that market share, the number of flights on the route and route concentration values had a significant positive effect on the ticket prices. On the other hand, the presence of another low-cost airline on the route has a negative effect on ticket prices. In addition, ticket prices were found to be higher in monopoly markets and in markets with only one low-cost airline. Results: The research is important in terms of examining competitive effects on ticket prices.

El impacto del cambio organizacional en las empresas metalmecánicas de San Juan de Río, las cuales cuentan con Sistema de Gestión de Calidad preferentemente certificado

Today, the implementation and maintenance of systems, including those of quality management, help companies to develop at appropriate levels, so that they can integrate into global markets and be able to compete effectively. In relation to this, quality systems based on international standards, such as those of ISO "International Standard Organization" have been the most widespread, adopted and accepted in service companies, manufacturing and other sectors. However, this does not guarantee success, quality management systems strategies have generated some doubts such as their effectiveness (Gryna, F. et al., 2007), where processes play an important role. With this intention made operational, the aspects of processes, systems and organizational change, both technical and administrative, allow to measure the degree of adequacy between the processes and their impact on the positive change that contributes to competitiveness. This quantitative investigation of a sample of micromechanical micro enterprises of the municipality of San Juan del Río, which have certified quality management systems, have proven the proposals that investigate the correlation between quality management and organizational change as support elements in competitiveness.

Integración del aprendizaje-servicio en el modelo de educación deportiva como facilitador de la transición a la educación secundaria

El presente trabajo describe la propuesta e impacto de un programa basado en la aplicación integrada del Aprendizaje-Servicio (ApS) en el Modelo de Educación Deportiva (MED), en la creación de facilitadores para la transición de Educación Primaria (EP) a Educación Secundaria (ES). La muestra estuvo compuesta por seis docentes, 142 estudiantes de sexto curso de EP y 64 de ES. Se creó una red deportiva de centros según los preceptos del MED y se utilizó la red social educativa Edmodo para la coordinación de los elementos competitivos y el incremento de contacto social entre el alumnado. La percepción del alumnado y docentes se recogió mediante cuestionarios, grupos focales y autoinformes. Los resultados mostraron que docentes y alumnado percibieron que se consiguieron los objetivos en cuanto a los facilitadores para la transición, así como satisfacción con la metodología utilizada.

Difference in physical training between different athletics competitions

The article analyses differences in physical training between different athletics competitions. The content of the year-long training of athletes is disclosed. It is noted that the experience of the world sports practice confirms the need to orient the sports training system to achieve high results in the main competitions with strictly differentiated competitive activity, where different competitions are considered as preparatory, control and used as a means of preparation. It is determined that planning of annual preparation provides orientation on final results formed in the form of a goal - achievement of the specified sports result at Olympic Games (three-cycle model), as well as achievement of the specified sports results at the World Cups and during other competitions (four-cycle model). At the same time it is advisable to plan annual preparation on the basis of several independent structural components, all elements of which are united by a common task - achievement of the state of the highest readiness of the athlete, which would ensure successful performance in the main competitions.
 Physical training between competitions provides for exercises, which in athletics are divided into three groups. One of them - general development exercises intended for comprehensive physical development primarily of beginners and poorly trained athletes. Besides general development exercises increase mobility of joints and improve ability of the athlete to coordinate the movements. These exercises are also used to correct defects in body structure and physical development. With regard to special exercises, it should be noted that any exercise involving one or more competition elements in the inter-competition period, meeting competitive requirements both in terms of external nature of performance and in terms of energy supply mechanisms (aerobic and anaerobic), can be considered as specially preparatory.

Gamification and L2 vocabulary learning: The Vocabox Experience in the Languages without Borders Program

This study investigated a gamified vocabulary teaching and learning intervention, the Vocabox Experience , which was implemented in the context of the Languages without Borders. The research was developed collaboratively among the English teachers and coordinators, with classroom data being collected with 32 students by twelve teachers and one coordinator. The data were collected using an observation grid during classes and conducting two focal discussion sessions, one with the students and one with the teachers who implemented the games in their classes. The qualitative results indicate that both teachers and students see the Vocabox Experience as a significant learning opportunity, although teachers tend to see learning in a broader perspective while students tend to see it more as the memorization of new words. The quantitative data show that teachers preferred to use vocabulary games to warm up their classes and balanced both competition and collaboration elements when designing the games. As for the students, they showed more signs of engagement than disengagement, overall.

MODERN IDEA ON ADVERSARIAL PRE-TRIAL PROCEEDINGS AND PROBLEMS OF ITS ENSURING

The article presents modern ideas about adversarial criminal proceedings, preserving the historical continuity in determining its main features and attributes, with a gradual transformation and adjustment, including pre-trial proceedings. It is noted that according to professor S. A. Sheyfer, who did not deny the competitive elements of pre-trial proceedings, the preliminary investigation is not completely adversarial. It is proved that under the influence of new conditions there is a tendency to revise not only the essence of competition, but also the means of its implementation. The conclusion is made about not always correct understanding of adversarial proceedings in criminal proceedings, in a certain distortion of its content, contrary to established ideas. The authors form of the mechanism of ensuring the rights at interrogation of the lawyer protecting, representing interests of participants in criminal proceedings, as the witness is formulated. It is proposed to introduce into the criminal procedure law the rules allowing to realize the adversarial nature in the pre-trial proceedings in terms of the transfer of a lawyer-defender or a lawyer-representative to the status of a witness.

Attractiveness Assessment of the American Labour Market for the High Qualified Specialists: A Case of Doctors

The article describes the migration of highly qualified specialists, using the case of medical workers in the United States. The theory of Kurt Levin and its later modifications, that explain the attractiveness of certain labor markets for workers, serve as a theoretical basis. The study aims at examining a separate area and the reasons for its attractiveness to foreign labor, as well as assessing the prospects for the inflow or outflow of human capital in the medical industry. The American case is of a special research interest due to the national peculiarities of educational programs for medical workers in particular - the duration and the need of confirmation the qualifications by passing the so called qualification exams. The national system of selecting medical personnel for vacant positions throughout the country is also of interest, as it provides for an element of quotas (allocation of a certain number of jobs for foreign labor) and an element of competitiveness (The National Resident Matching Program). Such a combined system allows the state to maintain a balance in the distribution of seats among US citizens and citizens of other states and at the same time strive to attract the best specialists in medicine on an adversarial basis. The study also reveals a pattern in the share of popularity of certain medical specialties among the migratory and non-migratory population, which allows us to draw conclusions about the possibility of a further more or less influx of foreigners into the positions of narrowly targeted doctors. In general, it can be summarized that the analysis of foreign labor on the example of the United States, as well as government measures to stimulate or restrict access by non-residents to this area, is quite significant and in some way useful as a possible strategy to follow for other countries, including the Russian Federation.

The impact of geothermal resources on the competitiveness of municipalities: evidence from Poland

In addition to large-scale environmental benefits, geothermal resources are nowadays expected to deliver an endogenous competitive advantage. The aim of this paper is to investigate this phenomenon for Poland. Since geothermal resources are of an endogenous nature, we assume their competitive advantage character for eleven selected municipalities in Poland. A municipality competitiveness model is built using an expert method. Panel data analysis is used to estimate four models of geothermal competitiveness. A sensitive analysis examines if the results are dependent on the model we developed. All four model scenarios are robust. The results show that the geothermal estimators significantly impact the created municipality competitiveness indicator. The geothermal energy production and geothermal bathing centres are both significant elements of municipality competitiveness in Poland. Therefore, this paper provides an argument for further expansion of the extraction of the available geothermal resources in Poland.

Decentralized pricing management in housing and municipal economy

Actuality of research theme. The process of Ukraine's integration into the European Community actualizes the issue of the compliance of the administrative and territorial structure with European principles of regional and local development organization, and the formation of local self-government. Nowadays the problem of developing an effective system of management of the infrastructure united territorial communities (UTCs) formation in the context of administrative and territorial reform implementation based on the principles of decentralization becomes especially acute. Problem statement. Nowadays conditions, the reform of the administrative-territorial structure and the decentralization of power in Ukraine require special attention to the problem of housing and communal services management, since its maintenance is ensured by local authorities and created in the process of reforming the united territorial communities (OTСs). Analysis of the last researches and publications. The modern aspects of decision of problems of development of territorial communities and local self-government such scientists engage in, as Pavliuk A. P., Oliinyk D. I., Batalov O. A., Datsko O. I., Murkovych L. L., Molodozhen Yu. B.and other [1-4]. The results of own researches of problem are in to [5-13]. Selection of unexplored parts of general issue. The new administrative and territorial system should become the basis for constructing a new model of territorial administration, based on the principles of decentralization, subsidiarity, balance of national interests with regional and territorial communities` interests representation, local self-governance widespread, territorial communities` power and autonomy, coherence with natural geographical capacity. That is why the problem of mechanism for managing regional housing and communal services programs and to determine the optimal pricing models taking into account world experience. Task statement, research aim. To search for new mechanisms of efficient pricing management in housing and utilities using world experience and peculiarities of domestic business practices. Method or methodology of realization of research. In the process of realization researches drawn on scientific (analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, analytical grouping) and special (abstracting, economical-mathematical design, etc.) methods of study of the economic phenomena and processes. Exposition of basic material (job performances). In the world practice certain methods of pricing under natural monopoly were formed. The analysis of the essence and peculiarities of these methods to adopt the best practices: а) Rate of return regulation. This is the most traditional approach to set price of goods (services) of natural monopolies. It is based on cost-plus pricing calculation. It is used in Ukraine. b) Price cap regulation (price restrictions). The method`s essence is to set fixed maximum price limitations by the regulatory institution. The institution has the right to set the price, which is lower or equals the limit, and to profit. As the profit does not correlate to costs, there is the stimulating mechanism to cut them. The model assumes quite a long period between tariff revisions – 4-5 years. c) Profit-sharing plan with sliding scale. Unlike the previous method, in which natural monopoly gains significant profits, this method assumes to use the sliding scale of profit distribution between a producer and a consumer. d) Price discrimination. Price discrimination is a pricing strategy that charges customers or their groups’ different prices for the same product or service. Price difference does not depend on production costs or supply costs. Price discrimination is possible if consumers` direct price elasticity of demand is different. Conclusions. The analysis of the natural monopoly`s world pricing practice, including national housing and utilities sector has been carried out. It has been stated that the main methods of monopolistic pricing are: rate of return regulation; price cap regulation (price restrictions); profit-sharing plan with sliding scale; price discrimination; multi-rate tariffs; pricing for different competition forms, compatible with natural monopoly.The obtained findings prove the necessity of modification to the housing and utilities sector’s monopoly market by implementation of competition elements.

BUSINESS DIDACTIC GAME AS THE MAIN METHOD OF FORMING THE COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE OF HIGHER SCHOOL STUDENT

The article contains the definitions of competence, didactic game; it states that the communicative competence of future specialists alongside with professional competence is a measure of their education quality. The main skills and abilities constituting communicative competence of a specialist, including: the ability to participate in collective decisions, taking up responsibility, resolving conflict without violence, analyzing various phenomena of spiritual life, being well-versed in the rich world of spiritual culture, expressing tolerance and respect for people of other cultures, languages and religions; living in a multicultural society and others. The basic problems solved by domestic and foreign scholars on formation of communicative competence in future specialists were analyzed, indicating that in terms of future professionals’ communication quality training in high school, a special attention is paid to the idea of interactive teaching methods application, including different types of business didactic games. The variety of business didactic game and their main characteristics have been considered (designing, roles and responsibilities, difference of the game participants’ goals, the presence of a common goal, cooperation, teamwork, presence of competition elements) the main components of the game have been indicated (role and its taking by a certain game participant); the basic requirements for didactic games are defined the following: joint activities and mutual responsibility of participants; contextual use of results; complex thinking training; involving participants into the ongoing dialogue and others. Presents an example of a business didactic game.

A Life on the Hyphen-Bicultural Identity in Virgil Suarez’s Going Under

This thesis is intended to delve into the one-and-a-half generation of Cuban-American’s bicultural identity in Virgil Suarez’s novel Going Under. Through an interpretation from the perspective of diaspora consciousness, this paper will identify how the main character constructs his individual identity through a network of usually competitive and incompatible elements like language, culture, religion, political ideologies and so on. Xavier Cuevas, the protagonist in this novel, maintains an unstable relationship with the American culture which he believes he has been wholly assimilated. The tension and anxiety lead him to “go under” and search for roots to return to the moment before exile.

Revisiting the Horizontal Mergers and Innovation Policy Debate

Many papers have been written since the European Commission (‘Commission’) issued its decision in Dow/Dupont back in 2017.1 This decision has drawn so much attention because of its conclusion that:2 the merger would have reduced innovation. Innovation, both to improve existing products and to develop new active ingredients, is a key element of competition between companies in the pest control industry, where only five players are globally active throughout the entire research & development (R&D) process. Some authors consider that this decision represents a fundamental change in Commission’s horizontal merger control policy, as it introduces a novel theory of harm—the so called ‘innovation theory of harm’—and establishes a new structural presumption—namely, that horizontal mergers among firms competing in the same ‘innovation space’ are bound to reduce innovation save for exceptional circumstances.3 Others, like Carles Esteva-Mosso, the Commission’s Deputy Director General for mergers at the time of...

Social context hinders humans but not ravens in a short‐term memory task

AbstractUsing resources shared within a social group—either in a cooperative or a competitive way—requires keeping track of own and others’ actions, which, in turn, requires well‐developed short‐term memory. Although short‐term memory has been tested in social mammal species, little is known about this capacity in highly social birds, such as ravens. We compared ravens (Corvus corax) with humans in spatial tasks based on caching, which required short‐term memory of one's own and of others’ actions. Human short‐term memory has been most extensively tested of all social mammal species, hence providing an informative benchmark for the ravens. A recent study on another corvid species (Corvus corone) suggests their capacity to be similar to the humans’, but short‐term memory skills have, to date, not been compared in a social setting. We used spatial setups based on caches of foods or objects, divided into individual and social conditions with two different spatial arrangements of caches (in a row or a 3 × 3 matrix). In each trial, a set of three up to nine caches was presented to an individual that was thereafter allowed to retrieve all items. Humans performed better on average across trials, but their performance dropped, when they had to keep track of partner's actions. This differed in ravens, as keeping track of such actions did not impair their performance. However, both humans and ravens demonstrated more memory‐related mistakes in the social than in the individual conditions. Therefore, whereas both the ravens’ and the humans’ memory suffered in the social conditions, the ravens seemed to deal better with the demands of these conditions. The social conditions had a competitive element, and one might speculate that ravens’ memory strategies are more attuned to such situations, in particular in caching contexts, than is the case for humans.

Street food traders, farmers and sustainable practice to reduce food waste in the Italian context

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how food waste management can affect both retail and distribution operators’ efficiency performance and their ability to create value. In particular, the paper shows how optimizing food waste management characterizes best practices and favors the development of sustainability.Design/methodology/approachBased on a survey of 196 outdoor market operators (including farmers and street food traders) from 27 outdoor markets, the authors analyzed unsold food/food wastage processes vis-à-vis the operators’ behavior and attitude. To provide accurate definitions of the satisfaction levels, a consumer perception survey was carried out, with a usable sample of 2,107 questionnaires. The efficiency performance was evaluated according to data envelopment analysis.FindingsThe results showed that farmers operate more efficiently than street food traders and that the traditional management of unsold food/food waste is an important competitive element in this sector.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample represents the Greater Turin Area in Italy, i.e., thus, limiting generalizability of the results. In addition, the variables analyzed were limited to certain aspects of selling processes and food waste management.Practical implicationsThe results provide some indicators on how a more rational style of unsold food management can improve an operators’ performance and help make a social impact.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that analyses outdoor market operators’ efficiency, based on the use of food waste as a variable affecting their performance.

Development of computer-aided design system of sensitive elements of control and automation systems

The subject of research is the element base of devices of control and automation systems used in modern weight- and force-measuring devices, in particular, consisting of annular elastic sensitive elements. The developing of annular elastic sensitive elements is based on the analysis of existing methods for calculating elastic elements, new algorithms and modified methods for calculating. The proposed automated methods for analyzing the statics and dynamics of the element base under investigation are based both on analytical methods of the classical mechanics of elastically deformed bodies and on numerical methods for the purpose of exploiting their advantages and compensating for the weaknesses. For the development of automated design systems for annular elastic sensitive elements, mathematical modeling of deformation processes in a solid was carried out and an analysis of their characteristics was carried out using the modern ANSYS software complex on the basis of the finite element method. The mathematical model of the annular elastic sensitive element has a high degree of adequacy, low laboriousness with high productivity and low time costs. The software package is based on generating the most geometric model, as well as creating nodes and elements. When calculating the frequencies and forms of free oscillations, a modal analysis is used for linear systems. The solutions obtained were refined by means of harmonic analysis and analysis of transient processes. The article proposes a new approach to calculate and design the force-measuring membrane elastic element of the force sensor used in industrial scales with modern computer simulation methods. The reasons for the sensor error are described. The possibility of reducing the nonlinearity of the elastic characteristic and hysteresis due to the geometric nonlinearity and dry friction in the supports is considered. Rational geometric parameters of the elastic element were determined by the methods of finite element modeling, which make it possible to significantly reduce measurement errors. The research results are implemented in the practice of calculating and designing real structures. The results of the dynamic calculation were compared with the experimental data. For this purpose, were used the bar-and-pic chart of application of load of the elastic sensitive elements. The developed system of computer-aided design of sensitive elements of annular elastic elements will allow to ensure the production of modern and competitive domestic element base of automation devices.

Autocephalization of the Church in Ukraine as an Element of Competition between the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Moscow for the Leadership in the Orthodox World

Autocephalization of the Church in Ukraine as an Element of Competition between the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Moscow for the Leadership in the Orthodox World

Laughter as a direction of Marc-André Hamelin’s composer searches.

Laughter as a direction of Marc-André Hamelin’s composer searches.