Developed EU Countries Research Articles

Efficiency of Online Learning and Difficulties Encountered: Case of Albanian Students

The end of last century and the beginning of 21st century marked a significant evolution in information technology and virtual world as a whole, which influenced and dictated the way of living and working around the world, especially in the most developed countries. Thanks to this development, it was possible to cope successfully and continuously during Covid 19 pandemic. Education as one of the strategic and most sensitive sectors, due to Covid 19 pandemic, faced the online learning platform around the globe. In the US and in some developed EU countries, the online learning platform has been a practice applied in the past. However, for many other countries, including Albania, the online learning platform was something new that students and faculty had to face at any rate. Yet, are stakeholders ready to face the online learning platform? This study has analyzed some of the obstacles faced by students, upon the implementation of the online platform. It will be observed whether the efficiency of online learning will have the same efficiency as classical learning. These many other questions will be answered through an empirical and theoretical analysis that was made possible through an online survey, which surveyed 1672 students from all private and public universities operating in the Albanian territory. Multi-factor analysis will be performed through SPSS program, ANOVA test, and Chi-square (x2). Finally, some conclusions finalize this scientific study.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME BETWEEN THE DEVELOPED EU COUNTRIES AND REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

It is hard to envisage any business activity nowadays without the use of computers. The users who in their work utilize computers or some other displays for viewing electronic contents are exposed to the computer vision syndrome effects. This paper defines the computer vision syndrome and explains occurrences of the syndrome, setting out also its consequences. Analysis has been made of the viewpoints of users from the developed EU countries regarding the computer vision syndrome. Comparison has been made of the obtained data with the data showing viewpoints of the users in the Republic of Serbia. The aim of this analysis is to form a comprehensive picture of the computer vision syndrome issues. At the end of the paper, solutions are depicted for reducing the consequences and preventing the computer vision syndrome occurrences.

GDP Impact on the Digital Economy in European Union Countries

This article explores issues relating to the development of the digital economy in the countries of the European Union. Its aim is to assess the impact of a country’s GDP on its DESI index. In this study, the research problem involves finding answers to the following questions: 1) Why does the development of the digital economy in different EU countries show such a substantial variation? 2) Which DESI index indicators have the greatest impact on its final score? 3) Does the overall development of the domestic economy have an impact on the development of its information society? The research conducted with these goals in mind warrants the conclusion that the pace of development of the digital economy in the less developed EU countries is higher than in the leader countries. Furthermore, it has been found that the indicators within the “4 Digital public services” and “1 Human capital” dimensions have the greatest impact on the DESI index. The direct influence of GDP per capita on the DESI index has been demonstrated experimentally. In contrast, the assumption that the growth rate of GDP and the share of the ICT sector in GDP correlates with the development of the digital economy and information society has not been confirmed.

Comparative Analysis of the CO2 Extraction from Biogas Absorption Processes Effectiveness

Currently, the developed EU countries have implemented biomethane production projects from biogas, supply it to natural gas distribution grid with subsequent production of electricity or (and) heat, and use biomethane as motor fuel or supply to the gas network. It is also extremely relevant for Ukraine, supposing the problems with gas import due to Russian aggression and the presence of a large agricultural potential. The concern that arises is the rational choice of the technology for producing biomethane from biogas.The Gas Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine has extensive experience in the development of technologies for the biogas collection, its direct usage, and CO2 extraction by the amine absorption method. Some of the technologies have been implemented at landfills in Ukraine. Data on other methods of CO2 extraction are widely available in world publications, so the authors compared the technologies from the point of view of their practical use possibility. Using computer modeling, the energy costs during the production of biomethane from biogas using the most advanced amine and water absorption processes for cleaning biogas from carbon dioxide were analysed. The combined water-amine absorption method of biogas purification from CO2 was included in the comparative analysis in which carbon dioxide was previously removed by water absorption at a pressure up to 0.3 MPa and output finally purified by amine absorption. Calculations for amine technology are verified in a pilot study.For a range of the CO2 concentration in biogas 32– 42 % vol., the specific energy consumption when using water absorption, the extraction of carbon dioxide from biogas is on average two times less compared to amine absorption, but at the same time the loss of CH4 due to its solubility during water absorption amounted to 7.1–7.6 %, with practically no losses of CH4 in amine absorption, and minor losses (0.17–2.8 %) in combined water-amine technology.The energy consumption of combined water-amine absorption is comparable to that of water absorption due to: a) reduction of heat losses for regeneration process of saturated amine absorbent, as part of CO2 has already been removed with water technology; b) using the CH4 excess to compensate power consumption of the biogas compressor during the preliminary water absorption of CO2 and/ or to compensate heat costs of the saturated amine absorbent regeneration.The results of extracting carbon dioxide from biogas processes modeling can be used to optimize technological absorption schemes for the production of biomethane, an analogue of natural gas.

Convergence patterns in income and manufacturing productivity in EU: does the latter drive the former?

ABSTRACT While exploring convergence in real income and in manufacturing productivity of the central and eastern European countries (CEE) and the southern EU counties with the developed EU ones, testing and clustering methodology and sigma convergence are used. We found that CEE countries strongly converge, both in real income and manufacturing productivity, with developed EU countries, while the southern EU countries do not. Moreover, the convergence pattern in real income follows that in manufacturing productivity in both peripheral EU groups suggesting that the underlying productivity clubs determine the formation of income clubs. The observed time pattern of sigma convergence also suggests that manufacturing productivity drives economic growth, as (non)convergence of the former preceded (‘caused’) that of the latter. Aforementioned findings are robust, since they are supported by the results obtained both by the Phillips and Sul (2007) approach and sigma convergence.

Manufacturing productivity in the EU: Why have Central and Eastern European countries converged and Southern EU countries have not?

This paper shows that CEE countries converge in manufacturing productivity to more developed EU countries, while southern EU countries have failed to converge. Large investments in CEE manufacturing sectors, particularly in the Visegrad group, and the related catch–up effect are the main convergence drivers. We also found that the relative importance of growth drivers varies across the CEE countries and over the time, revealing some regularity and explaining the recent slowdown in convergence pace. In contrast, low manufacturing investments in Portugal, Greece, and Spain, and weak institutions in Italy and Greece caused their lagging behind in productivity growth. The findings stem from robustly estimated growth regressions for a panel of EU countries over the period 1995–2019.

An inquiry into the Pakistani statecraft in tackling COVID-19

As the second largest country in South Asia, Pakistan has succeeded relatively well in tackling COVID-19 after it broke out in 2020. Due to this, it is necessary to inquire into Pakistan's statecraft to find out how it responded to the pandemic issue, first domestically and then globally. As one of the key neighboring countries of China where the large-scale pandemic started, Pakistan has been very vulnerable to the epidemic. However, the Pakistani government led by Imran Khan has achieved a remarkable record in controlling COVID-19. No doubt, the domestic progress in Pakistan is destined to enhance its reputation abroad. For example, the international community has extended encouraging words and deeds to Pakistan, while some developed EU countries have policies designed by Pakistani Goverment because Islamabad has adopted successful social security and financial stimulus strategies. This study aims to give a balanced understanding of what policy, approaches, and strategies have been used by the current ruling elites of Pakistan; and how the domestic achievements have effectively bolstered its prestigious image on the global stage.

Do Wages Reflect Growth Productivity – Comparing the European East and West?

ABSTRACT The research determines the gap (Great Decoupling) between labour productivity and workers’ compensation in the two blocks of EU countries (Western versus Eastern). The division of countries into two groups provides a basis further to determine whether the previous socio-economic and political evolutionary development of these countries blocks still has a significant impact on the functional distribution of national income, on the extent to which labour productivity growth is transmitted to workers. The results are heterogeneous. In the sample of highly developed Western EU countries where higher levels of labour productivity, as well as high levels of technological development, lead to an increase in labour productivity to be followed by a lower increase in workers’ compensation. On the sample of Eastern EU countries, results indicate different relationships and the strength of causality between productivity and labour compensation. Central-East EU countries had a more positive relationship between real workers’ compensation and labour productivity, compared to the Southeast Europe (Balkan) countries where an increase in workers’ compensation causes a reduction in labour productivity. The results also offer a solid basis for understanding wage/income/productivity relationships d for creating policies for a more efficient distribution of national income.

Особенности функционирования института парламентской оппозиции в современном мире

In this scientific article, the author tried to study the features of the representation of the opposition in the parliaments of developed and developing countries. The opposition in parliament contributes to the development of democracies in the state. Unfortunately, even in the developed EU countries, the representation of the opposition in the state parliament remains low. In a parliamentary democracy, deputies elect the head of government, deputies from the same party or deputies with the same goals often form a parliamentary group. These factions are called coalition factions, or coalition for short. In addition to the coalition, there is also opposition in parliament. The word «opposition» means «oppose». The opposition often disagrees with the ruling coalition and the government. Therefore, she often keeps a close eye on whether the government is doing well. The task of the opposition is to control the work of the government. The opposition can also show that it has other better solutions. A strong opposition is important for the development of democracy. The opposition expresses its opinion in parliament. Opposition outside parliament is also possible. This article demonstrates the tendency towards skepticism towards parliamentary opposition in developed countries. Parliamentary democracy relies on the functioning of the parliamentary opposition because the subjects of the opposition perform their control tasks in front of the public. The opposition in parliament can act like a minority acting according to predetermined characteristics and should be able to control the government and influence legislative output. The other approach, on the contrary, rejects the idea of an active role of the opposition in the decision-making process and cooperation with the ruling majority. Its sole function is to present itself as an alternative future government. This structure allows the opposition to publicly criticize the authorities and immediately demonstrate to the electorate an alternative worthy of the authorities. A system where the opposition does not participate in the decision-making process, usually not considered overly friendly to the opposition, proves exceptionally strong and reliable in times of party fragmentation when it comes to the rights of the opposition.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic development of EU countries

One of the essential consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is a slowdown in economic development, which is reflected in an integrated way by the Gross Domestic Product per inhabitant of the country. However, its dimensions are not the same for individual countries of the European Union, so it is crucial to determine what circumstances led to this phenomenon. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine individual EU countries’ losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the circumstances they depended on. Correlation-regression analysis was used, which made it possible to calculate what effect the countries’ economic development level and the intensity of its positive changes on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic had on the losses incurred. In 2018, it was found that this relationship is very strong (the value of the correlation coefficient r equals 0.8 and 0.7, respectively). The study’s results highlighted the regularity – economic development slowed down the least in those countries where it was in the best condition, and the positive development changes were the most intense. It was found that in the ten most developed EU countries, economic growth slowed down because of the COVID-19 pandemic by approximately 2.3%, and in the rest of the countries – 5.1%. According to the slow-down of economic development, insensitiveness was approximately 3.45 and 5.46%. AcknowledgmentThis research was partly funded by the Cracow University of Economics under Grant No. 4/ZZA/2021/POT.

“GREENING” AND INTELLECTUALIZATION OF TRANSPORT IN THE CONTEXT OF ENSURING ECONOMIC SECURITY OF TRANSPORTATION ENTERPRISE

Goal. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the necessity of “greening” and intellectualization of transport for ensuring the economic security of transportation enterprises. Method. This paper uses the following research methods: dialectical method, systematic approach, comparative and economic analysis, and models of discriminative analysis (five-factor model of E. Altman, Konan Golder’s model, and Lis’s model). Results. The research on the foreign experience with “greening” and intellectualization of the transport system has shown that developed EU countries are actively investing in “green” transport with the goal of minimizing adverse effects on the environment. There are systemic principles of government stimulus for “greening” the transport, which are used in different countries. It is concluded that some countries use methods of fiscal stimuli and direct subsidies for the popularization of “green transport”. It is concluded that “greening” and intellectualizing the transport have drastic ecological and economic advantages, hence they are the focus areas of transport infrastructure development. The diagnostics of economic security of urban Municipal enterprise “Khersonelectrotrans” are concluded by utilizing the following models of discriminative analysis: five-factor model of determining the Z index (E. Altman’s model); Konan Golder’s model; Lis’ model. The results illustrate a high probability of bankruptcy for urban Municipal enterprise “Khersonelectrotrans”. It is determined that ensuring the economic security of the enterprise is impossible without launching an innovative investment plan and a radical increase in investments for an innovative development. Practical importance. The proposed method is to determine economically justified tariffs on the services of urban enterprises that provide electric transport. This will ensure adequate financing for systemic modernization of these enterprises, resulting in “greening” and intellectualization of transport and increased quality of transport services.

Formation of the quality of life index in Western and Eastern Europe within the sociological context

The complexity of determining the quality of life and the optimal selection of criteria for assessing this category is one of the challenges in public administration. The purpose of the study is to critically analyse the characteristics of the quality of life ranking in Western and Eastern Europe and modern approaches to its determination and monitoring. By analysing theoretical materials and studies, the article describes the history of the formation of the concept of quality of life, the development of methods for its assessment, and highlights the features of modern tools for assessing the quality of life. The article examines the main international and Ukrainian approaches to such monitoring; using the methods of comparison and system analysis, the author compares the indicators of Western and Eastern European countries in such sectors as income and purchasing power, life expectancy, access to education and jobs, income equality, safety of the population and environmental conditions. Through this analysis, the author identifies the advantages in the development of Western European countries over the countries of the Eastern European region, concludes that the economic development of countries is uneven and that there is a tendency to reduce imbalances through effective forms and instruments for implementing the development strategies of the European Union. The author identifies the importance of using the experience of the developed EU countries in Ukraine, highlighting the coexistence and interaction of market and state regulation mechanisms of economic development are emphasised, and the focus is on the goals of sustainable development, which is based primarily on dignified labour, creation of well-paid jobs, and efficient use of resources in consumption and production for economic growth. Equally important are the processes of resolving certain constraints for each country, such as reducing income inequality, access to healthcare, high levels of education, and reducing the number of people suffering from harmful addictions. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying the findings in the preparation of lecture materials for students of economic and historical specialities, future specialists in political science, etc.

An inverted digital divide during Covid-19 pandemic? Evidence from a panel of EU countries

The extension of remote forms of employment, education and communication during the Covid-19 pandemic was expected to bridge the digital divide in 2020. However, more digitally developed countries have shown a reduction of Internet use. This article examines the changes in Internet use in 2020 as the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic focused on cross-country digital development. We use a random effects regression model to assess the relationship between Internet use as an indicator of digital divide and digital development on the macro, business, infrastructural, and individual levels in EU countries. Panel data from Eurostat for 2014–2020 are applied. We found that more digitally developed EU countries, including Estonia, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway, show a higher relationship between Internet usage and digital performance than other EU countries. These countries saw a decrease in Internet use during 2020, which is contrary to the general trend of either increasing or unchanging Internet use in the case of social distancing restrictions and lockdowns. High digital dependence in more digitally developed countries, and in some other EU countries in the context of a pandemic as a crisis, has led to a reduction in Internet use due to the vulnerability of digitalized industries, enterprises, jobs and personal patterns that may identify the new challenge as inverted digital divide.

Complementarity of additionalities resulting from European Union funds: Perspective of the users of research infrastructures

AbstractThe goal of this paper is to investigate the complementarity of three types of additionalities: input (growth of R&D investments), behavioral (changes in the internal processes of the entity), and output (leveraging social or private returns), occurring as the result of the 7th Framework Programme and Horizon 2020 European Union funds part INFRA. The empirical contribution is based on results of self‐created questionnaires conducted in 2016 with the use of CATI/CAWI on the unique sample of N = 401 users of European Union research infrastructures from 32 countries. We create a Behavioral Additionality Index (BAI), which is a measurement tool that combines eight types (scale, scope, cognitive capacity, challenge, network, follow‐up, management, and acceleration) of behavioral additionalities. Based on the results of a logistic regression, we find that there is a positive relationship between input and behavioral additionality, as well as between behavioral additionality and output additionality. This last link, however, is not shown to be strengthened by input additionality. No significant differences in the level of the BAI were found between EU countries based on their level of innovativeness as measured by the Summary Innovation Index (SII), although we can observe that less developed EU countries, as well as on non‐EU countries, have higher BAI scores compared to developed ones. The overall results lead to the conclusion that the evaluation of public financial support has to be conducted not only for input, behavioral, and output additionalities separately, but must also take into account their complementarity—with its major focus on the behavioral aspects of this effect.

Tax systems of Ukraine and EU countries during the COVID-19 pandemic: current status and prospects

At the start of 2020, the world faced major challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. International institutions, governments and various organizations are forced to apply unprecedented restrictive measures in many areas of activity. The answer to these challenges by the governments of almost all countries of the world is actively manifested in tax measures aimed at supporting citizens and businesses. The article was devoted to the study of the level of taxation for certain taxes in Ukraine and EU countries in a crisis. The study proves the relevance of determining the optimal level of taxes to fill the budget. This study uses the method of comparative analysis, which compares the levels of tax rates in Ukraine and some EU countries. The optimal level of tax revenues to the state budget has been determined. The level of tax revenues to the Consolidated Budget of Ukraine has been analyzed and the main directions for improving the tax system of Ukraine have been identified. The necessity of focusing on the experience of highly developed EU countries in the field of taxation with the obligatory consideration of national characteristics is proved.

Comparison of the structure of the Slovak economy and the most developed EU countries

Comparison of the structure of the Slovak economy and the most developed EU countries

Linking FDI and Sustainable Environment in EU Countries

The aim of this study is to emphasize the link between the foreign direct investments (FDIs) and the sustainable environment in EU countries. We also focus on investigating the influence of other factors related to business environment on FDIs, considering the investors’ sustainable choice for the host countries, grouped according to FTSE Russell criteria. Using panel methodology and applying Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method of data analysis, the authors reached the conclusion that a better-rated business environment, with concern for sustainability, has more of a chance to attract larger sums of FDIs, mostly in the case of developed economies. This fact proves that the main advantage considered by a foreign investor in developed EU countries is represented by CO2 emissions (sustainable environment) and a good ease of doing business environment. The study highlights the factors that influence the decision of investing in developed countries, rather than in emerging and frontier ones. This paper contributes to the existing literature by identifying the group of countries which need a more sustainable approach to attract a large amount of FDIs, given that the inflow of FDIs is a crucial factor of economic growth, a possible source of innovation and technology, and a way to reduce poverty.

Net zero 2050 as an EU priroty: modeling a system for efficient investments in eco innovation for climate change mitigation

BackgroundThe study background is based on the fact that The Recovery Plan for Europe envisages investing 30% of the huge budget in climate change, with the goal of zero gas emission by 2050. This ambitious plan will require (for now indefinitely) investments in research and innovation. The study’s main objective is to check and analyze the existing and propose a new model of effective investments in eco-innovation. This will contribute to effective long-term investment policy, climate change impact, and mitigation of consequences.MethodsThe basic methodological tools for solving the problems discussed in this study were correlation analysis, regression analysis, and paired sample t-test. All calculations were performed in the SPSS 20 statistical software. Time series data of the selected indicators were obtained from the European Innovation Scoreboard 2020. The database used to collect the data for the EU member countries and selected third countries for the analysis is the European Innovation Scoreboard 2020. To avoid sample selection bias, the authors considered all of the available data for all the member countries and selected third countries in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2020 for the 2012 to 2019 period.ResultsThe study results show the path developing countries should follow in directing their inevitable and increasing eco-innovation investments, taking into account the arguments of structural differences in financing Research and Development (R&D). The authors’ findings support the thesis that investments in R&D is low in developing countries, while in developed EU countries, there are more investments in R&D from the business sector for the 2012–2019 period.ConclusionsStudy conclusions are summarized as a proposal of the appropriate R&D financing model approach to developing countries with a greater share of eco-innovation and self-sustainable R&D financing for climate preserving products. This study is important as it provides new evidence on financing R&D investments in innovation leader countries and emerging innovator countries according to Summary Innovation Index.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Macroeconomic Aggregates of the European Union

Abstract Economic experts’ predictions of a slowdown in the EU’s global economy and economic growth in the year 2020 were based on various risks and uncertainties existing on a world scale, ranging from the US-China trade war, traditionally strained relations of the EU and the US on the one hand and the Russian Federation on the other, all the way to BREXIT and economic migration to developed EU countries. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated those forecasts, so that the entire EU is recording a historic decline in all macroeconomic aggregates. The beginning of the pandemic in the EU was accompanied by the complete border lockdown of the entire Union, which greatly affected the economies of the member states. The EU is experiencing a decline of both real and nominal GDP, declining incomes, employment decline and unemployment increase. This paper will investigate the impact of COVID-19 onto GDP, unemployment, and EU public debt. Correlation-regression analysis confirms the positive correlation between these variables and the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the economic crisis, a crisis of EU health systems, which requires huge economic investments. A more prominent economic recovery is hard to expect until the global pandemic ends. One thing is for certain, this economic crisis will continue in 2021, whereby a more significant recovery is expected only in the year 2022. Certainly, it will take years to make up for the economic losses caused by the pandemic.

Socioeconomic Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life of Entrepreneurs. A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Quality of life is one of the most important conceptual categories in many scientific fields and socio-economic practices. In the authors’ opinion, the assessment of the overall quality of life and the health-related quality of life of private entrepreneurs deserves particular attention. Until now, quality of life and its determinants in entrepreneurs have been investigated by few authors. The aim of this study was to identify and assess the key determinants of quality of life and its health-related aspects in entrepreneurs from Wroclaw, Poland. Methods: A questionnaire survey was carried out in a group of 616 entrepreneurs selected from among 4332 individuals (2276 women, 2056 men) who had participated in a study on the socioeconomic determinants of quality of life and physical activity of Wrocław residents of working age. The main research method was a diagnostic survey using S-ES and WHOQOL BREF questionnaires. Information was obtained on respondents’ quality of life and perceived health condition, as well as sex, age, education, marital status, number of people in the household, income per capita, savings, and indebtedness. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis using numerical distribution, medians, and quartile deviation. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were used to assess relationships between entrepreneurs’ quality of life and socioeconomic status. Results: Over 66% of Wroclaw entrepreneurs rated their overall quality of life as average or above average and about 34% as below average. An average or above assessment of perceived health condition was provided by 71% of respondents, and below average by 29% of respondents. Health-related quality of life was assessed as average or above average in the environmental domain by 79%, physical domain by 77%, social domain by 65%, and psychological domain by 58% of the entrepreneurs. Among the respondents significant correlations were found between quality of life and perceived health condition; family status, i.e., marital status; number of persons in the household; and financial status, i.e., per capita income, savings, and debt. Conclusions: The results of this study can be used for managing the quality of life of entrepreneurs. Quality of life determinants should be constantly updated, as they may change along with further economic development and Poland’s economic convergence with better developed EU countries.