Economic Conditions Research Articles

Role of School Bus Services as a Complementary Element of the Education Process in Hidden Curriculum: School Services Drives' Opinions

Aims: The aim of this study is to reveal the views of school bus drivers who perform school bus services as a complementary element of the education process within the scope of the hidden curriculum. Methodology: This study is of qualitative research type. In this study, in-depth and detailed information was collected by interviewing a sufficient number of school bus drivers with the interview method. In this study, convenience sampling technique, one of the random sampling methods, was utilized. Ten willing and volunteer school bus drivers who provide shuttle service in a public primary school in Ankara participated in the study. Interview technique was utilized in the study. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher. In the analysis of the data, content analysis technique was used by going through the basic stages. The main categories in the analysis were day, task/responsibility, purpose, behavior, communication, interaction, problem and general. Subcategories were also used. Results: At the end of the research, more than half of the school bus drivers who provided school bus services in the hidden curriculum process stated that their aim was economic conditions and making a living, while about one third stated that they aimed to provide a happy and peaceful transportation service. Most of the school bus drivers face many problems related to students and traffic. As suggestions, school bus drivers want informative meetings to be organized for parents, to be valued, to be educated, tolerant and well-intentioned, and to give priority to school buses in traffic. In this regard, it can be suggested that meetings be held at the beginning and end of the semester and that interviews be held with students, administrators, teachers and parents, who are the other elements of this process.

What it Takes to Return: UN Peacekeeping and the Safe Return of Displaced People

We investigate the impact of UN peacekeeping on voluntary returns and negative attitudes towards displaced persons. We posit that peacekeeping missions can have beneficial effects by improving security and alleviating the socio-economic burden imposed by new arrivals on receiving communities. Focusing on the critical case of South Sudan, we combine information on peacekeepers' subnational deployment with high frequency survey data. Our findings suggest that the presence of peacekeepers is more likely to attract individuals seeking to return home, compared to those relocating for other reasons. In addition, peacekeepers positively influence the perceptions of receiving communities regarding the impact of IDPs and refugees on economic opportunities, security conditions, and social cohesion.

More is more. Combined livelihood-education interventions and their effect on child labour in the agricultural sector

ABSTRACT What works to reduce child labour in agriculture? In this paper, we evaluate two randomised livelihood intervention programs, aimed to reduce child labour, particularly in its most exploitative forms, in rural areas of Peru. We evaluate a livelihood intervention provided to farmers in Peru that use the labour of their children on their family farms, accompanied by an education intervention aimed to improve the quality of schools and an awareness-raising intervention. We find that when the livelihood intervention is provided alone, it does not improve economic conditions, and hence generally fails to reduce child labour rates in rural areas. However, when the livelihood intervention is combined with measures to improve the quality of education, we see a reduction in hazardous child labour and child labour overall. Awareness-raising interventions, aimed at changing the perceptions of parents through community interaction, appear to have also had an effect in the reduction of child labour, and these effects were reinforced by education interventions. Results indicate that a comprehensive approach including livelihood support with education and awareness-raising components is a more effective way to reduce child labour and hazardous labour for children in the agricultural sector.

Multilevel Hierarchical Bayesian Modeling of Cross-National Factors in Vehicle Sales

SUVs (sport utility vehicles), as a car segment, have become a foundation within the automotive industry due to their versatility, which is used by a wide range of customers. Recognising the complex interplay between geographical and economic conditions across countries, we delve into cross-national factors that significantly influence SUV sales. This article presents an analysis of the global sales of SUVs (sport utility vehicles) using multilevel hierarchical Bayesian modelling. We identify key predictors of SUV sales, including the effects of fuel prices, income levels and geographical aspects. We prepared four statistical models that differ in their probability distribution or hierarchical internal structure. The last presented model, with Student’s t-distribution and separate distribution for unique alpha parameter values, turned out to be the best one. Our analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the automotive market dynamics, and it can also assist manufacturers and policymakers in designing effective sales strategies.

An analysis of intermodal competition and multiproduct Incumbent's strategies in the French market: What drive high-speed trains' prices and frequencies?

This paper presents an empirical analysis that examines the factors influencing service prices and frequencies of conventional high-speed trains (HSTs) in France. The study utilizes original data spanning from September 2019 to March 2020, focusing on the level of intermodal competition and the diversification strategy employed by the primary rail operator. The primary findings of the econometric analysis reveal that the determinants of the price per kilometer for both first and second-class conventional HST services exhibit some shared factors, particularly in relation to the technical characteristics of the routes and alternative options available. However, certain factors are specific to each category, such as the competitive environment, economic conditions, and demographic factors. The frequency of HST services is primarily influenced by travel time. In cases where conventional HSTs do not offer satisfactory service quality in terms of frequency and/or price, there is an auxiliary alternative option available to compensate for the limited frequency of conventional HST services.

Adult Child Financial Disadvantage and the Cognitive Trajectories among Older Parents in the United States.

Adult child socioeconomic status (SES) has been identified as a predictor of older parents' cognitive aging. However, studies have primarily relied on educational attainment as the sole measure of adult child SES. We evaluated the relationship between adult children's financial disadvantage and cognitive outcomes of older parents in the United States. We used data from U.S. Health and Retirement Study (2000-2014, n = 15,053 respondents > 50 years with at least one adult child). Adult child financial disadvantage was measured with three indicators of extremely low income, unemployment, and lack of home ownership. We used linear mixed models to estimate the association between adult child financial disadvantage and the rate of decline in verbal memory scores, controlling for respondents' socio-demographic characteristics. Having at least one adult child (vs. no adult children) with extremely low income was found to be associated with lower verbal memory (b = -0.041, 95% CI: -0.043, -0.039) at baseline. There was a small but significant association with the rate of decline in verbal memory z-scores (b = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.000, 0.008) and some evidence of heterogeneity by parent gender, marital status, and SES. Offspring financial disadvantage may be influential for older parents' initial level of memory function, although evidence of associations with memory decline was weak. Public policy interventions aimed at improving the economic conditions of adult children may indirectly benefit the late-late cognitive performance of disadvantaged parents.

The Integration of Migrants in the German Labor Market: Evidence Over 50 Years

Abstract Germany has become the second-most important destination for migrants worldwide. Using all waves from the microcensus, we study their labor market integration over the last 50 years and highlight differences to the US case. Although the employment gaps between immigrant and native men decline after arrival, they remain large for most cohorts; the average gap after one decade is 10 pp. Conversely, income gaps tend to widen post-arrival. Compositional differences explain how those gaps vary across groups, and why they worsened over time; after accounting for composition, integration outcomes show no systematic trend. Still, economic conditions do matter, and employment collapsed in some cohorts after structural shocks hit the German labor market in the early 1990s. Lastly, we examine the integration of recent arrivals during the European refugee “crisis” and the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Методология анализа функционирования и прогнозирования развития региональной транспортной сети (на примере Европейской и Приуральской Арктики)

The article is devoted to the development of theoretical and methodological approaches to the fundamentals of analyzing the functioning and forecasting of the current and future transport network of the European and Cisural Arctic in modern economic conditions, taking into account: the location of promising sources of freight flows in the territory under consideration, data on the carrying and capacity of the network and its development prospects. Considering the incompleteness of time series of statistical indicators characterizing the operation of the transport network, the study, along with classical methods of forecasting traffic volumes, pays significant attention to scenarios for its development. The paper describes the transport network of the European and Cisural Arctic of the Russian Federation, defines strategic planning, and shows the importance of analyzing the functioning of the transport network of the region. Forecasts of traffic volumes have been obtained, their assessment and scenarios for the development of the transport network have been compiled using a combined forecasting system. A methodology has been developed for analyzing the functioning and forecasting the development of the transport network of the European and Cisural Arctic.

Uma abordagem aos tipos sociais da pecuária bovina na norpatagônia

Cattle production acquired special relevance in the northeast of Río Negro province over sheep farming. The change in the sanitary status to the south of the Colorado River in 2013, favored the progressive development of the activity. In addition, the activities from irrigated areas were diversified including forage and grain production. The purpose of this work is to understand the practices and strategies developed by cattle producers, based on the following research questions, What level of homogeneity and heterogeneity do the livestock producers of the region present? How did the changes occurred in the region affected management and production management practices? The quantitative-qualitative approach oriented to the actors, allowed identifying tree livestock social types, as well as the relationship with the production systems, revealing itself as an effective methodology for understanding their specificities. The testimonies collected in this investigation give an indication of the changes that occurred in a sector that was favored by the economic conditions provided by the barrier that boosted the value of the farm, generating a greater number of opportunities.

FORMATION OF EFFECTIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IN GEORGIA WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF

Besik Kvachantiradze E-mail: b.kvatchantiradze@gmail.com PhD Students,Batumi Shota Rustaveli state University Batumi, Georgia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2833-1007 Abstract: The article discusses the stages of formation of the business environment of Georgia and the ways of its improvement with the cooperation of the European Union. Strengthening relations with the European Union has been the main goal of Georgia's foreign policy for years. Small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the basis of the successful development of the European Union, in recent decade have been operating in close collaboration with large businesses. Therefore, in our opinion, it is interesting to analyze the ratio of large, medium and small enterprises in the European Union. Since Georgia has taken the direction to European development, a number of reforms have been implemented in the country to encourage small and medium-sized businesses, which in turn has a possitive effect on the development of the country's overall economy. In addition to the state support for small businesses in the European Union, all member states have their own national system for stimulating the development of small businesses, the purpose of which is to create an economic climate that will contribute to the creation of economic conditions and normal functioning. This, in the first place, includes the creation of national institutions and the organization of financial assistance, training system for enterprise manager and entrepreneurs who want to start independent activities. Under taking European experience and mechanisms into consideration, a number of projects were implemented in Georgia, which contributed to the expansion and development of Georgian small and medium-sized businesses, in addition, retraining of the Georgian workforce and adjusting working conditions to European standards. Moreover, Georgia can greatly accelerate its economic development, strengthen its competitiveness and achieve its goals - through sustainable growth and job creation. Cooperation with the European Union offers Georgia great opportunities for learning, innovation and integration into the global economy. The article offers recommendations and suggestions that focus on creating closer relations with the European Union and attracting more foreign investment, which will ensure the economic prosperity of the country. Keywords: Business environment, small and medium business, cooperation with the European Union. JEL classification: O1, G2, E4

Подходы к выбору индикаторов региональной бюджетной безопасности (на примере арктических регионов России)

The article deals with the approach to selection of regional budget security indicators in order to develop a system of parameters to assess the regional budget security. The approach is based on the principle of identifying the interests of economic agents. The satisfaction level of regional authorities, economic entities, and population is considered as a budget security indicator. The express analysis based on the materials from the Arctic regions of Russia indicated an imbalance of interests of economic agents, which is further confirmed by the decline in regional and population welfare due to reduction in regional product volume redistributed through budgets and by the decrease in businesses financial results in context of the changing world economy conditions. Balance of economic interests will be achieved by the increase in budget revenues and per capita incomes.

ПРОБЛЕМНЫЕ АСПЕКТЫ В РАБОТЕ С КАДРОВЫМИ РЕЗЕРВАМИ УЧРЕЖДЕНИЙ И ОРГАНОВ ФЕДЕРАЛЬНОЙ СЛУЖБЫ ИСПОЛНЕНИЯ НАКАЗАНИЙ И НАПРАВЛЕНИЯ ПОВЫШЕНИЯ ЕЕ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ

The article provides theoretical justifications for the need to manage the personnel reserve, including in the public administration system. The personnel situation in the penal enforcement system is analyzed and the main problematic aspects of the formation of personnel reserves of institutions and bodies of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia are identified, as well as proposals for improving work with personnel reserves are formulated. The topic raised is relevant due to the fact that in modern socio- economic and political conditions, the main purpose of staffing the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia is to preserve and strengthen the human resources of the penal enforcement system. In the mechanism for achieving this goal, the most important task is the formation and effective use of personnel reserves of institutions and bodies of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia to meet the needs of the system in qualified managerial personnel in a timely manner. The analysis made it possible to substantiate a set of measures to improve work with the personnel reserve of territorial institutions and bodies of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, including proposals to increase the salary of employees filling the positions of managers (chiefs); to stimulate employees enrolled in the personnel reserve; to increase the number of professional training programs for employees. A systematic approach to the formation and training of a reserve of senior personnel of institutions and bodies of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia will ensure the creation of an effective personnel management system of the penal system.

Advancing macroeconomic models through artificial intelligence integration

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into macroeconomic models marks a significant evolution in the field of economic forecasting and analysis. Traditional macroeconomic models, often constrained by linear assumptions and a limited set of variables, struggle to accurately capture the complexities of the global economy. This paper explores how AI, particularly machine learning algorithms like Random Forests and Neural Networks, enhances these models by processing and interpreting vast and diverse datasets, including unstructured data such as social media sentiment and news analysis. AI's capability to adapt and learn from new data enables dynamic models that remain relevant and accurate amidst changing economic conditions. By addressing non-linearities and enhancing model robustness, AI provides a more nuanced understanding of economic dynamics, uncovering intricate patterns missed by traditional analyses. The implications of AI-enhanced macroeconomic models are profound, offering more reliable foundations for economic research and policy-making. This paper argues that the integration of AI into economic modeling not only improves the precision of economic forecasts but also enriches the field of economic research and the formulation of more effective policy interventions. Through examples such as inflation rate forecasting and the identification of complex, non-linear economic relationships, this study highlights the transformative potential of AI in macroeconomic analysis and policy formulation.

Business model innovations amidst adverse economic conditions: the role of CEO values

Purpose The current business environment is characterized by high levels of uncertainty that affect the global economic system and have the greatest impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With an elevated degree of perceived uncertainty, Chief executive officers' (CEOs) of SMEs find themselves in a situation where the old approaches to decision-making are irrelevant and the time to create new ones is limited. The purpose of this study is to examine whether appealing to personal values helps CEOs cope with a high level of perceived uncertainty and make decisions about the further development of the firm by undertaking business model innovations (BMI). Design/methodology/approach This study follows a multiple case study research design drawing on data collected from 10 Russian SMEs. Findings The authors show that CEOs’ communion values lead to innovations in the revenue model and value architecture dimensions of the business model. CEOs who are inclined to agentic values introduce innovations in the revenue model and value offering dimensions. Those executives who balance between the two types of values tend to also balance between different types of innovations in the elements of the business model. Originality/value The results indicate that personal values of CEOs play an important role in managerial processes and the strategic choice of a BMI type. Moreover, personal temporal focus orientation serves as a translation mechanism in the relationship between CEO values and BMI in SME settings.

Assessing the effectiveness of regional environmental quality management

Purpose: is to present the author's modification of the methodology for assessing the effectiveness of regional environmental quality management, created on the basis of the approved regulatory, legal and methodological framework in the field of assessing the effectiveness of the activities of regional authorities.Methods: along with general scientific methods of information processing, comparative analogies and scientific generalization, analysis and synthesis, methods of content analysis of the regulatory framework, economic and statistical analysis, mathematical processing and visualization of data, as well as clustering techniques were used to unite regions into homogeneous groups that have common environmental quality characteristics.Results: the authors have performed the critical analysis of the methodology for calculating the indicator “Environmental Quality” within the framework of the approved regulatory and methodological framework in the field of assessing the effectiveness of the activities of regional authorities and identified its shortcomings; have developed proposals to eliminate them and modify the methodology. Based on publicly available information, a method for clustering regions by environmental quality was proposed and tested in the context of accepted determinants of environmental quality. The proposed modification of the methodology for assessing the effectiveness of regional management in terms of improving the calculation of the integral indicator “Environmental Quality” will improve the objectivity of assessing the quality of regional management of natural resources.Conclusions and Relevance: using the actual values of environmental quality indicators instead of indices of their dynamics and plan implementation will make it possible to cluster regions according to the proposed determinants of environmental quality. Comparison within a cluster of regions with similar natural and economic conditions will provide authorities with the opportunity to develop the natural resource management strategy and develop effective measures in the field of environmental management, taking into account the dynamics of the state of techno-natural systems.

Strategic priorities to develop enterprises of the forestry complex of the Russian Federation in the context of modern challenges

Subject. We investigate the current state of the timber industry complex of the Russian Federation. Objectives. The purpose is to identify and substantiate strategically important priorities for the development of the domestic timber industry, taking into account the current economic conditions and geopolitical situation. Methods. The study draws on methods of systems and comparative analysis. Results. The paper revealed the main trends and problems of the current stage of development of the domestic timber industry complex. We formulated practical recommendations to solve the problems of the timber industry development, in the face of sanctions pressure. Conclusions. The main priorities for further development of the timber industry complex should be entering to new markets, increasing sales of products in the Russian market, increasing the production of import-substituting products with high added value, modernizing the industry through the supply of equipment from friendly countries.

Diagnóstico de los factores de la gestión administrativa en las asociaciones agrícolas del cantón La Maná

The research analyzed the factors that influence the administrative management of agricultural associations in the canton of La Maná to identify areas for improvement and propose strategies that optimize their operation and sustainability. 4 active associations were studied. A methodology was used based on the mixed quantitative and qualitative approach, the descriptive-explanatory nature, the logical-historical method and deductive inference. The results show that related factors such as organizational identity, administrative strategies, business innovation and economic resources are relevant for effective management. The linear regression model, exploratory factor analysis and ANOVA confirm the influence of the study variables. The research validates the importance of effective administrative management to improve the economic conditions of agricultural associations.

The nature of the administrative barrier as management decisions

In modern economic conditions, due to restrictions on foreign economic activity and sanctions pressure, it is strategically important to improve the quality and efficiency of management decisions in the field of business activities. Excessive legal regulation, unreasonable requirements, bureaucratization of the processes of interaction between the state and business lead to the emergence of administrative barriers to the implementation of entrepreneurial activities. Despite the fact that the category of administrative barriers is actively used in legislation, a large number of studies have been devoted to the scientific literature, however, the legal nature and content of this concept remains unstudied. The work provides the author’s definition of an administrative barrier, distinguishes this concept from “barriers of economic policy”, “state-political barriers”, “legal barriers” represented by defects in legal regulation, “organizational and institutional barriers”. The complex nature of the institution of administrative barriers is shown, which includes economic, legal and social components.

Identifikasi Kesulitan Belajar Mahasiswa Program Studi Ensino De Física Universitas Nasional Timor Lorosae Angkatan 2023

Learning difficulties are disorders experienced by students due to various obstacles such as intellectual abilities, demands of academic institutions, family economic conditions, and employment that result in low learning outcomes. This study aims to identify the factors that cause learning difficulties for students of batch 2023 in the Ensino de Física Study Programme at the National University of East Timor, especially in the General Physics and Eksperiment 1 courses. This study used a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach. Data were collected through an open-ended questionnaire filled out by 50 students as a sample. The results showed that the study programme placement factor was one of the main causes of learning difficulties. Many students were placed in study programmes that were not their choice, resulting in low interest in learning. In addition, students' mathematical intellectual abilities also play a significant role, where most students do not master basic mathematics such as multiplication, division, and differential. This causes them difficulty in solving physics problems mathematically and in conducting Eksperiments to test concepts, laws and formulas that have been learnt. Students' learning difficulties are influenced by external factors such as the mismatch of study programme placement with students' choices, and internal factors such as intellectual abilities in basic mathematics and physics. Nevertheless, most students showed interest in attending the class, which can help overcome learning difficulties and have a positive impact on end-of-semester learning outcomes.

A Study to Measure Patients' Trust in Medical Practitioners in Surat City

Purpose- This study examines the critical role of trust in the doctor-patient relationship within the healthcare system. Trust acts as a pivotal element that enhances collaboration and communication, thereby improving patient outcomes. Defined as the subjective confidence in the reliability and integrity of healthcare providers, trust encompasses fidelity, competency, honesty, confidentiality, and overall reliability. The primary aim of the study is to examines the critical role of trust in doctor-patient relationship within the healthcare system and evaluate the factors influencing patients' trust in their medical practitioners. Research Design – This quantitative study employed an online survey administered via Google Forms to collect data from 646 patients. The survey assessed patients' understanding of trust in their healthcare providers, focusing on factors such as technical competence, empathy, reliability, and expertise. Statistical analyses including correlation, exploratory factor analysis, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were conducted to examine differences in trust perceptions across age groups and educational levels. Findings – The study revealed significant differences in how age groups of patients’ impact technical competence, patience, understanding of social and economic conditions, adherence to instructions, confidentiality, trust despite mistakes, respect, access to technologies, recommendations for healthcare, dependability, and approachability. Educational qualifications also significantly influenced perceptions of healthcare provider trust across several factors except for the provision of information. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring communication and care strategies based on patients' age and educational backgrounds to enhance trust and satisfaction in healthcare settings. Understanding these demographic variations can inform healthcare providers in developing patient-centred approaches that foster trust and improve healthcare outcomes.