European Perspective Research Articles

The Technology/Jobs Puzzle: A European Perspective

The Technology/Jobs Puzzle: A European Perspective

The Indian Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, viewed from a European Perspective

The Indian Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, viewed from a European Perspective

Russian Notions of Power and State in a European Perspective, 1462–1725: Assessing the Significance of Peter's Reign. By Endre Sashalmi. Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2022. viii, 507 pp. Notes. Bibliography. Index. Plates. Photographs. $160.00, hard bound.

Russian Notions of Power and State in a European Perspective, 1462–1725: Assessing the Significance of Peter's Reign. By Endre Sashalmi. Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2022. viii, 507 pp. Notes. Bibliography. Index. Plates. Photographs. $160.00, hard bound.

Valorificarea patrimoniului imagistic local clujean în Europeana. Biblioteca digitală europeană

This study identified and analyzed visual resources, more precisely photographs and postcards, with images from Cluj-Napoca, that were digitized and posted on Europeana. European Digital Library by libraries, museums, archives, a cultural center and a community-based photo archive from Romania, Hungary, Austria, Sweden and Italy. Moreover, it provides a research model on the topic, focusing on the scientific potential of the existing digital resources in Europeana. It highlights the importance of the digitization of the cultural heritage, building a digital repository that offers both a general, European perspective, as well as segmental, national, regional and local approaches. The research on Cluj cultural heritage in Europeana reveals the importance of the collaboration among the memory institutions in preserving and facilitating access to their collections in general, and to their local history documents in particular, reconfirming that digitization is an area where collaboration is feasible and with surprising benefits.

Business communication and crisis management in international business: a European perspective

Business communication and crisis management in international business: a European perspective

Russian Notions of Power and State in a European Perspective, 1462–1725: Assessing the Significance of Peter's Reign by Endre Sashalmi (review)

Russian Notions of Power and State in a European Perspective, 1462–1725: Assessing the Significance of Peter's Reign by Endre Sashalmi (review)

Business communication and crisis management in international business: A European perspective

Business communication and crisis management in international business: A European perspective

Tackling online hate speech from a European perspective: Potentials and challenges of inter-legality

The contribution delves into some main implications of the current soft and hard legal framework related to the Internet governance for tackling online hate speech, from the perspective of legal and social actors based in the European Union. Given the dynamic constellation characterised by centripetal trends towards UN-fostered international governance, Council of Europe and EU soft and hard legal instruments, co-existing with centrifugal forces of national legislations, the article explores how inter-legality may contribute tackling online hate speech in today’s fast changing and complex legal scenario. Hence, due to the lack of a universally recognised definition of hate speech and a global regulation of online communication, inter-legality may be operationalised in still unexplored places – that is, not only by judges but by lawmakers, independent authorities on communication, and even platforms.

Global reassembly: Empirical data in conceptual pursuit. European perspective

The author explores a conceptual crisis in studies, dedicated to international relations, which are under pressure of growing number of threats and challenges. In search of new perspective models of global economic and political development and in the pursuit of attempts to explain the nature and causes of growing confrontation among different global actors specialists in IR, including European studies, propose various approaches and strategies, which often run counter to each other. The article focuses on a role of empirics in this scientific work, on a problem of measurability of different hypotheses and generalisations. On the basis of application of concrete indicators and data the author analyses the role of the EU, major European countries, Russia and other centres of power in world political-economic tables of ranks. The internal balance of power in the EU is explored, as well as main risks and vulnerabilities in its development. In the context of global reassembly the assessments are made on threats and challenges facing Russia. The conclusion is drawn that in the near future the phenomenon of polycentricity with elements of composite quasi-bipolarity will intensify. At the same tine, quasi-bipolarity represents more relevant configuration than the hypothesis about US-China “new bipolarity”. The United States and China more and more obviously shape new confrontational pivot of world politics in near future. This model is characterized with quasi-bipolarity because the number of rising powers, comparable with US and China in terms of capabilities and geopolitical ambitions, is much bigger than in the second half of XX century.

Progress in soil erosion research: A European perspective

Progress in soil erosion research: A European perspective

Association Between Risk Factors and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Laboratory Professionals-an European Perspective.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a large group of diseases that severely affect work productivity and quality of life. To examine the differences in the prevalence of MSDs among laboratory professionals (LP) and to assess their association with individual, psychosocial, and occupational risk factors. In a multicenter, cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was distributed online through professional association networks. Participants were divided into two groups based on their territorial affiliation-European Union (EU) and non-EU member states. Descriptive and inferential statistics were included in the analysis, and statistical significance was set at ≤0.05. A total of 640 LPs from 20 European countries participated in the study, predominantly females (78.4%) with university degree (59.4%) and mean age of 41.2 ± 10.1 years. Statistically significant differences between groups were confirmed for several variables studied: neck flexion > 15o (p = 0.008), hands at chest level (p = 0.000), longer screen time, and sitting (p = 0.000). One-third of participants reported wrist (35.6%), shoulder (32.7%), and elbow (31.6%) pain, while low back pain was more common (48.9%). A statistically significant association was confirmed between the incidence of MSDs and stress at work, repetitive movements, and prolonged standing (p = 0.000). Several variables showed significant correlations with MSDs in different body parts (p <0.05). Our results show a higher prevalence of MSDs in LPs and recommend the development of targeted prevention programs and additional measures to modify the work environment and organizational activities.

Association Between Risk Factors and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Laboratory Professionals-an European Perspective.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a large group of diseases that severely affect work productivity and quality of life. To examine the differences in the prevalence of MSDs among laboratory professionals (LP) and to assess their association with individual, psychosocial, and occupational risk factors. In a multicenter, cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was distributed online through professional association networks. Participants were divided into two groups based on their territorial affiliation-European Union (EU) and non-EU member states. Descriptive and inferential statistics were included in the analysis, and statistical significance was set at ≤0.05. A total of 640 LPs from 20 European countries participated in the study, predominantly females (78.4%) with university degree (59.4%) and mean age of 41.2 ± 10.1 years. Statistically significant differences between groups were confirmed for several variables studied: neck flexion > 15o (p = 0.008), hands at chest level (p = 0.000), longer screen time, and sitting (p = 0.000). One-third of participants reported wrist (35.6%), shoulder (32.7%), and elbow (31.6%) pain, while low back pain was more common (48.9%). A statistically significant association was confirmed between the incidence of MSDs and stress at work, repetitive movements, and prolonged standing (p = 0.000). Several variables showed significant correlations with MSDs in different body parts (p <0.05). Our results show a higher prevalence of MSDs in LPs and recommend the development of targeted prevention programs and additional measures to modify the work environment and organizational activities.

Behaviour of financial consumers in banking market: a central and eastern European perspective regarding gender gap

Behaviour of financial consumers in banking market: a central and eastern European perspective regarding gender gap

Сучасні тренди відносин ЄС-Грузія та російський чинник

The presented article provides an analysis of Georgia-EU relations and the impact of Russian military interventions in Georgia and Ukraine in accelerating the process of Georgia’s European integration. This topic is a defining issue of Georgia’s political agenda at the modern stage, as integration into the main European institutional structure is a political priority for Georgia which has no other alternative, that, accordingly, is reflected not only in the resolution of the Parliament of Georgia and the government program, but it has also become a constitutional obligation. The paper briefly discusses the dynamics of the development of Georgia – EU relations – starting with agreements on partnership and cooperation and ending with giving Georgia a European perspective, and identifies the factors causing the problems during Georgia’s relationship with the European Union; Difficulties in the process of Georgia’s European integration are highlighted and Georgia’s efforts are presented to ensure that the European Union pursues an individual policy towards itself. When the European Union defined priorities in the Transcaucasus, Georgia’s self-identification, according to which it culturally and historically belongs to Europe, was not taken into account. Georgia has always distinguished itself among the states of the South Caucasus with its European aspirations, and since the day of independence, the European idea has never devalued; While the other two states of the South Caucasus – Armenia and Azerbaijan – were very inconsistent in defining their self-identification: Armenia was officially a strategic partner of Russia, and Azerbaijan maintained balanced relations with both Russia and the West. Among the modern challenges of Georgia’s integration into the European Union, in addition to the Russian factor, such issues as the absence of a single consensus in the European Union, and the current inefficient format, which needs to be replaced by more flexible mechanisms, are discussed; The role of Russia’s military intervention in Georgia and Ukraine in increasing the degree of "securitization" of foreign policy in the European Union and promoting geopolitical priorities is evaluated; The prediction of new perspectives on Georgia’s European integration related to the Russia-Ukraine war is given, which is linked with the further evolution of the European Union and the possible impact of this evolution on Georgia’s EU accession policy.

Higher education micro-credentials: A European university perspective

Higher education micro-credentials: A European university perspective

Higher education micro-credentials: A European university perspective

Higher education micro-credentials: A European university perspective

China’s Perception in the Visegrad Countries in the Light of Technological Competition Between the Us and China

This paper is divided into three sections. The first section looks at the technology indicators and overall economic performance of the Visegrad countries and places their performance in a European and global perspective. The next part examines the results of economic cooperation with China with a special focus on technology transfer and policies related to technology transfer from China. The third section broadens the view and contextualizes the country-specific results when it comes to Chinese cooperation and seeks to draw conclusions regarding the role of China in the catching-up process of these countries.

Food and Beer Matching to Promote Destinations: A Central and Eastern European Perspective

The purpose of the study is to determine and evaluate Central and Eastern European (CEE) consumers’ food and beer matching preferences with a view to encouraging tourism stakeholders to promote local destinations. A literature review determined the characteristics of beer that interacted with different types of food and revealed issues for consideration when matching beer with food. A series of tasting sessions was conducted with 214 hospitality and tourism, food and beverage educators and industrialists from six CEE countries, comprising roughly equal numbers of males and females aged from 20 to 64. Seven foods (oily, acidic, salty, mild and spicy high protein, high fat, sweet) were offered alongside seven styles of beer. The tasters’ preferred matches were recorded. The most popular match (67.3%) was dark chocolate with Belgian fruit beer followed by sausages with both Bohemian pilsner and Hefeweizen beer. Every beer was matched by some tasters with every food; the least popular match (7.5%) was spicy meatballs with Belgian fruit beer. Further research into food and beer matching is recommended to validate the findings and to benefit publicans and restaurateurs. As it focuses on food and beer matching, as opposed to pairing, is located in CEE and suggests ways in which microbreweries in CEE can promote health and sustainable tourism, the research is original. Recommendations are made for stakeholders including the managers of F&B outlets and destination managers, who are advised to operationalise sense of place by developing a unique, dedicated toolkit to inform destination branding, and for further research.

Assessing and Mitigating Ice-Jam Flood Hazards and Risks: A European Perspective

The assessment and mapping of riverine flood hazards and risks is recognized by many countries as an important tool for characterizing floods and developing flood management plans. Often, however, these management plans give attention primarily to open-water floods, with ice-jam floods being mostly an afterthought once these plans have been drafted. In some Nordic regions, ice-jam floods can be more severe than open-water floods, with floodwater levels of ice-jam floods often exceeding levels of open-water floods for the same return periods. Hence, it is imperative that flooding due to river ice processes be considered in flood management plans. This also pertains to European member states who are required to submit renewed flood management plans every six years to the European governance authorities. On 19 and 20 October 2022, a workshop entitled “Assessing and mitigating ice-jam flood hazard and risk” was hosted in Poznań, Poland to explore the necessity of incorporating ice-jam flood hazard and risk assessments in the European Union’s Flood Directive. The presentations given at the workshop provided a good overview of flood risk assessments in Europe and how they may change due to the climate in the future. Perspectives from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Poland were presented. Mitigation measures, particularly the artificial breakage of river ice covers and ice-jam flood forecasting, were shared. Advances in ice processes were also presented at the workshop, including state-of-the-art developments in tracking ice-floe velocities using particle tracking velocimetry, characterizing hanging dam ice, designing new ice-control structures, detecting, and monitoring river ice covers using composite imagery from both radar and optical satellite sensors, and calculating ice-jam flood hazards using a stochastic modelling approach.

Reflecting the energy transition from a European perspective and in the global context—Relevance of solar photovoltaics benchmarking two ambitious scenarios

AbstractMultiple energy‐related crises require a fast transition towards a sustainable energy system. The European Green Deal aims for zero CO2 emission by 2050, while accelerating climate change impacts obligate a faster phase‐out of fossil fuels. Energy transition studies for Europe at and near 100% renewable energy are used as a benchmark for two newly introduced scenarios for Europe reaching zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and 2040. A technology‐rich energy system model was applied in hourly resolution for Europe in 20 interconnected regions and in full sector coupling covering all energy demands. The results reveal a cost‐neutral energy transition towards 2050 based on declining levelised cost of electricity and a pathway with 9% higher energy costs leading to 17% lower total CO2 emissions with an accelerated energy transition by 2040. The two scenarios find shares of solar photovoltaic (PV) in total generation of 61%–63% by 2050, the highest ever estimated for Europe, still below the highest global average shares ranging between 75% and 77% form three independent studies. The central energy system components are solar PV, wind power, batteries, electrolysers and CO2 direct air capture for carbon capture and utilisation. The core characteristic of the European energy future may be best described by a power‐to‐X economy, which may evolve on the global scale to a solar‐to‐X economy.