European Union Member States Research Articles

Intelligent Exchange of Sustainable Tourist Habits among the EU Member States

Despite much research being conducted within the scope of sustainable tourism, more progress has yet to be made in defining how close or far different countries are from achieving this goal. Consequently, this paper aims to evaluate and compare the commitment of citizens, as tourists, from the 27 member states of the European Union to sustainable tourism. A map of sustainability was developed through the use of machine learning algorithms. A cluster analysis was performed, followed by a sustainable rating. The main findings indicate the existence of three country segments among the European Union member states according to the involvement of its citizens as tourists with sustainable practices: highly committed, moderately committed, and uncommitted. Based on these segments, we proposed a recommendation system that suggests the top-five countries where tourists could exchange sustainable tourism habits based on the idea of contagion or imitation behaviours among individuals across an extensive set of everyday decisions. The results reveal significant variations in sustainable tourism practices across member states, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for harmonisation. By implementing this recommendation system, we facilitate the adoption of sustainable habits among tourists and stakeholders, driving a more unified approach to sustainability in the multiple tourism destinations. This study shows no convergence between the 27 European Union member states regarding sustainable tourism. Therefore, political policies are necessary so that all citizens converge on sustainable tourist habits and the European Union contributes, as a whole, to sustainable tourism.

EMPIRICAL EVALUATION OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT IN SOUTHEAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES USING PANEL DATA ANALYSIS

The purpose of this article is to assess the agricultural development of ten Southeast European (SEE) countries from the aspect of key environmental, economic and social indicators of agricultural sustainability management from 2011 to 2020. The article uses a Cross-section panel data Fixed Effects Model to identify relations between agricultural development in SEE countries and mentioned indicators of sustainable agricultural development management. The common sample of all SEE countries shows the economic sustainability, but also the environmental and social unsustainability of their agricultural systems. At a disaggregated level, the subsample of European Union (EU) membership candidate countries also yields the same findings. In contrast, the subsample of EU member states indicates all three dimensions of sustainability, with the exception of the aspect of using renewables. Therefore, both groups of countries should use renewables more intensively in order to contribute to the promotion of their efficient, sovereign and sustainable agricultural growth.

Green and Reserve Logistics of Packaging and Plastic Packaging Waste under the Conditions of Circular Economy at the Level of the European Union Member States

Sustainable development involves constant efforts to reduce pollution by using resources as efficiently as possible. One of the sources of pollution is waste from packaging, recovery, and of course, the possibility of recycling them. The research theme of this paper is the reverse logistics of plastic packaging, which allows the realization of the idea of circular economy and green logistics, which promotes the idea of sustainable development. The EU is strongly committed to issues related to the management of plastic packaging and waste to reduce environmental pollution and achieve circularity goals. Through this article, we aim to highlight the degree to which the EU member states are included in the plastic packaging recycling targets for the year 2030. To highlight the evolution trend for the recycling rate of plastic packaging, we used an advanced forecasting model that runs a series of variables in order to draw up a forecast as accurate as possible. After highlighting the recycling rates for plastic packaging at the level of the EU member states, we proceeded to outline some recommendations in order to encourage the EU member states to make the recycling process more efficient. The current study continues the series of studies dealing with the problem of recycling, but it covers a topic not addressed until this moment, namely the behavior of the citizen regarding the recycling activity seen through the prism of national culture. The current study aims to strengthen the specialized literature in this field and to offer innovative solutions that appeal to the respective national cultures regarding the availability of the populations of the EU member states to address the problem of recycling plastic packaging, not only from a legislative perspective but also from a cultural one. In conclusion, this study generates a model of approach to government policies regarding the recycling of plastic packaging considering the types of national cultures prevailing in the EU member countries, with this being possible by grouping the countries into culturally homogenous clusters. In this way, the environmental policies enunciated by governments can be adapted to convey the message in a more personal way, considering the cultural differences between the EU member states.

Medical occupational check-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic in the European Union.

Given the enormous scale of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the healthcare sector, limited human resource capacity, and efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, occupational health protection could not escape changes. The aim was to identify and compare the regulations regarding the provision of medical occupational check-ups (MOCs) during the pandemic in all European Union member states (EU MS). The study employed the Delphi method, involving experts from EU MS to assess MOC regulations between January 2020 and May 2021. Experts were queried regarding the existence and specifics of MOC regulations, particularly for entrance and periodic MOCs at hazardous and non-hazardous workplaces. Out of the 27 EU MS surveyed, 13 EU MS did not regulate MOCs, while 14 EU MS (51.6%) regulated the provision of MOCs. The regulations were changes in the way MOCs were provided, modifications (postponement in time, alternative provision, e.g. using telemedicine or online connection, or replacing the medical certificate of fitness to work based on the MOC with a declaration by the worker), or interruption without compensation, even for hazardous works. The regulations were in effect for different lengths of time and varied in some countries during the study period. The cumulative duration of MOC interruptions in all EU MS during the study period was 137 months (7.5% of the cumulative study period of 1836 months). Given the different approaches to the provision of MOCs in EU MS, it has proved appropriate to develop an optimal unified framework plan for future similar situations.

“News Desertification” in Europe: Highlighting Correlations for Future Research

The Local Media for Democracy (LM4D) project is the first project that explores news deserts in Europe comprehensively. Its final report highlighted challenges and opportunities for local and community media and identified the level of risk of news deserts in the 27 European Union (EU) Member States. As a pilot project, however, its results are still preliminary and open to evaluation, and, thus, they require further discussion and corroboration. Drawing from these results, and applying a multidisciplinary approach, we extrapolated research directions for the study of news deserts in the EU. By cross-analyzing data from the LM4D dataset with other datasets, we provide a preliminary analysis of three promising lines of research: (1) the relationship between public service media quality and news deserts, (2) news deserts and the spread of disinformation, and (3) social media usage and news desertification. We conclude by pointing out the limitations of this preliminary analysis and opportunities for further research on news deserts in the EU.

Evolving waste management: The impact of environmental technology, taxes, and carbon emissions on incineration in EU countries

Amid the urgent global imperatives concerning climate change and resource preservation, our research delves into the critical domains of waste management and environmental sustainability within the European Union (EU), collecting data from 1990 to 2022. The Method of Moments Quantile Regression (MMQR) results reveal a resounding commitment among EU member states to diminish their reliance on incineration, which is evident through adopting green technologies and environmentally conscious taxation policies, aligning with the European Union's sustainability objectives. However, this transition presents the intricate task of harmonizing industrial emissions management with efficient waste disposal. Tailoring waste management strategies to accommodate diverse consumption patterns and unique circumstances within individual member states becomes imperative. Cointegrating regressions highlighted the long-run relationship among the selected variables, while Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) and Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) estimates roughly confirmed MMQR results. ML analyses, conducted through two ensemble methods (Gradient Boosting, GB, and Extreme Gradient Boosting, XGBoost) shed light on the relative importance of the predictors: in particular, environmental taxation, consumption-based emissions, and production-based emissions greatly contribute to determining the variation of combustible renewables and waste. This study recommends that EU countries establish monitoring mechanisms to advance waste management and environmental sustainability through green technology adoption, enhance environmental taxation policies, and accelerate the renewable energy transition.

Reconceptualising the EU-member states relationship in the age of permanent emergency

AbstractSince 2008, the European Union (EU) has been engulfed in several crises. While distinct, these crises are feeding into each other and are testing the capacity and resilience of EU and member states, bringing forward common policy questions and new forms of cooperation. The permanent character of this state of crisis has made analysts talk about our times as the age of permacrisis. As a result, a trend towards a new mode of ‘coordinative Europeanization’ in EU decision-making has been observed since the Covid-19 crisis. In this paper we first define the new mode of coordinative Europeanization and outline its key features. We argue that the recent crises have altered the EU member states’ relationship in pursuit of fast policy responses. We analyse the reasons behind this changing relationship as well as the possible avenues it may take. We then discuss the challenges caused by coordinative Europeanization and how it relates to pre-existing de-Europeanization tendencies. We close the paper with an analysis of the significance of our findings and we propose new avenues for research.

Relationship between the type of media consumption and political trust in the European Union: Evidence from the 94th Eurobarometer 2020/2021 Survey

This article analyzes the relationship between the consumption of different types of media and political trust, while also additionally contributing to discussions in several sub-branches of agenda-setting theories. To test the hypotheses, this article runs several linear regression models at the European Union, regional, and national levels. The European Union–level analysis is based on the 94th Eurobarometer survey data of 2020/2021. It is then further complemented with some country-level comparisons. The regression models account for various socio-economic and socio-political confounding factors. The results of the analysis demonstrate that there is a significant positive relationship between press consumption and political trust. As for social media, their negative effect is visible and consistent only when they are designated as the respondent’s main source of information. Other media types do not demonstrate a visible and statistically significant effect. This article’s findings, also through the country-level comparisons, provide new research avenues not only for quantitative research as well as for comparative case studies of individual European Union Member States.

Environmental sensitivity in the 27 National Roma Integration Strategies of the European Union member states

ABSTRACT The Roma people, particularly in Central and Eastern European countries, often live ethnically segregated in inadequate housing or without access to basic services (water, sewage system, electricity). Exposure to these harmful environmental factors jeopardizes their health and hinders their social integration. This study delves into the sensitivity of the National Roma Integration Strategies (NRIS) (2012–2020) regarding the environmental factors that affect the Roma population. Previous studies have explored gender or identity in the strategies, but few have analysed environmental sensitivity. Based on World Health Organization (WHO) reports, we consider the following environmental factors: housing, access to basic services, urban environment, working environment and injuries at home. The sensitivity of the 27 NRIS to these factors was quantified in all crucial areas (housing, health, education, employment). An inductive analysis of the operational content (measures, actions) was conducted on nine NRIS. The Member States in the southeast of the European Union were more environmentally sensitive than their counterparts in the northwest. The salient environmental factors were housing and basic services. The nine NRIS analysed show two approaches (western/eastern) in addressing the environmental conditions of the Roma population. Finally, although we identified environmental factors in the NRIS, this issue was not systematically addressed.

Is it still permissible under EU law to issue new permits for oil and gas extraction?

AbstractThis article examines whether the discretion of European Union (EU) Member States to approve new oil and gas extraction projects is restricted by EU law. It shows that greenhouse gas emissions from such projects must be considered in environmental impact assessments under the Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment Directives. This includes emissions from the combustion of extracted oil and gas by end users (scope 3 emissions). The article also shows that Member States' discretion to approve new oil and gas extraction projects is significantly limited by their climate‐related obligations under EU law, as well as by the duty of sincere cooperation in the context of the EU's international commitments under the Paris Agreement.

From farm to fork? Brexit and the International Plant Protection Convention

Import and export controls ensure plant pests and diseases harmful to food production, the plants across our landscape, and ecosystem services, are not moved during trade. The ‘International Plant Protection Convention’ (IPPC) provides the framework for applying preventive measures where they are technically justified, and stipulates controls are not to be used as arbitrary restrictions on international trade. This article examines the aims of the Brexit trade agreements and reviews their alignment with the IPPC and other World Trade Organisation agreements. It argues that unjustified controls have been applied under the guise of protective requirements (contributing to EU-GB trade disruption) and identifies a divergence at the point of regulatory implementation of these laws and treaties by official bodies on both sides. The article reviews the position of Northern Ireland, which, to avoid a ‘hard border’ on the island of Ireland, remains under the European Union (EU)'s plant health (phytosanitary) regime. Reflecting on legislative options available to bring the application of plant health regulations into alignment with the IPPC (such as dispute resolution), these options remain unused. However, the possibility of utilising ‘import authorisations’ would leave neither Great Britain nor EU Member States exposed to any greater environmental risk than that under the single market.

Social value framing of physical activity in European Member State policies: a content analysis.

Engagement in physical activity (PA) benefits physical and mental health as well as many other areas of society. In Europe however, 1/3 adults do not meet minimum PA recommendations. Social value, and its quantification through social return on investment (SROI) evidence, may be a useful framing to enhance PA promotion. This study aimed to assess the current use of social value framing of PA in European Union (EU) policies. Content analysis of 45 EU member state policies which contain reference to PA was conducted to evaluate the presence of five social value domains and SROI evidence. Data was analysed using manual inductive coding, supported by DeepL translation and NVivo tools. Social value framing was present to a certain extent in existing policies, with improved health being the most commonly referenced benefit of PA, followed by reference to social and community and then environmental benefits. Acknowledgement of the positive impacts of PA on wellbeing and education was the least present. Reference to SROI evidence was also limited. Generally, policies lacked holistic recognition of the social value of PA. Policies from the health sector were particularly limited in recognising the wider benefits of PA, whilst those from the environmental sector acknowledged the widest range of co-benefits. Adopting social value framing could be a useful approach for enhancing PA promotion. Whilst it is present to a certain extent in existing policy, this could be increased in terms of comprehensiveness to increase issue salience and multisectoral policy action.

Mutual recognition of qualifications, health workforce migration, and graduate outcomes: a comparative mapping study of undergraduate dental education in Europe

BackgroundThe resource needs of health services are served by the recognition of qualifications across borders which allows professionals to migrate between countries. The movement of dentists across the European Union (EU), especially into the United Kingdom (UK), has provided a valuable boost to workforce supply. Recent changes to policy recognising overseas qualifications have brought attention to the equivalence of qualifications awarded in EU countries. Professional regulators need to be confident that dentists who qualified elsewhere have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience to practise safely and effectively. The aim of this study was to compare UK and EU dental curricula, identify any differences, and compare the extent of pre-qualification clinical experience.MethodsThis was a mixed methods study comprising a questionnaire and website searches to identify information about curricula, competences, and quality assurance arrangements in each country. The questionnaire was sent to organisations responsible for regulating dental education or dental practice in EU member states. This was supplemented with information obtained from website searches of stakeholder organisations for each country including regulators, professional associations, ministries, and providers of dental education. A map of dental training across the EU was created.ResultsNational learning outcomes for dental education were identified for seven countries. No national outcomes were identified 13 countries; therefore, learning outcomes were mapped at institution level only. No information about learning outcomes was available for six countries. In one country, there is no basic dental training. Clinical skills and communication were generally well represented. Management and leadership were less represented. Only eight countries referenced a need for graduates to be aware of their own limitations. In most countries, quality assurance of dental education is not undertaken by dental organisations, but by national quality assurance agencies for higher education. In many cases, it was not possible to ascertain the extent of graduates’ direct clinical experience with patients.ConclusionsThe findings demonstrate considerable variation in learning outcomes for dental education between countries and institutions in Europe. This presents a challenge to decision-makers responsible for national recognition and accreditation of diverse qualifications across Europe to maintain a safe, capable, international workforce; but one that this comparison of programmes helps to address.

EU CONVERGENCE: A PATHWAY TO ECONOMIC STABILITY

In the context of global systemic transformations, economic security has become a focal point in political and economic debates. The article explores how economic convergence within the European Union (EU) contributes to strengthening regional economic security. Using an innovative approach based on cluster analysis, the study reveals economic convergence trends among EU member states, highlighting the involvement of this process in promoting economic stability and security in the era of systemic changes. Our methodology involves applying clustering techniques to an extensive set of economic indicators to assess the dynamics of economic convergence between EU countries over the last two decades. The cluster analysis carried out allowed the grouping of countries based on their similar economic characteristics, thus providing a clear picture of the progress towards convergence. The results indicate a strong trend of economic alignment within the EU, with the formation of clusters suggesting a reduction in economic discrepancies. This process of convergence not only reflects greater economic cohesion, but also contributes to the macroeconomic stabilization of the region, an important aspect for economic security in the face of global volatility and uncertainties. The analysis shows that the EU is moving towards uniformity and economic convergence, with economic clusters becoming more similar over time.

The Impact of Digitalization on the Economic Performance of SMEs in the European Union: A 2022 Analysis

Abstract This study embarks on an empirical examination of the relationship between digitalization intensity and economic performance among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) within the European Union (EU) in 2022. Utilizing data from European Commission, the research specifically compares the “SMEs with at least a basic level of digital intensity” and the “Proportion of total SME value added for all industries”. The aim is to unravel the potential correlation between digital integration in SMEs and their contribution to the economy, measured in terms of value added. The methodology encompasses a quantitative approach, involving the collection of relevant data across EU member states. The study first applies descriptive statistics to summarize the data and then conducts a correlation analysis. In preparing the data for analysis, we adjusted the value-added figures by the number of SMEs to derive a value-added per SME metric, facilitating a more accurate and comparable evaluation across countries with varying numbers of SMEs.Our preliminary analysis reveals significant variations in digital intensity among SMEs across different EU countries. The core of the analysis investigates whether higher levels of digital adoption correlate with an increased economic output per SME. This study is particularly relevant in the context of the EU’s digital single market strategy and the increasing emphasis on digital transformation in the business sector. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the understanding of the digital economy’s impact on SMEs, providing valuable insights for policymakers and business leaders.

Energy Transition and European Sub-Models. Restructuring EU Economy

Abstract The European Union (EU) stands at the forefront of the global energy transition, committed to transforming its economy by adopting sustainable energy sources. This paper explores the diverse European sub-models of energy transition, highlighting different patterns among the EU Member States within the context of their particularities. Using the hierarchical cluster methodology and the panel data model with fixed effects for the period 2010-2021, we analyze the broader implications of the energy transition for the restructuring of the EU economy, with a focus on key sectors such as power generation, manufacturing, and social aspects. The study identifies significant challenges, including the need for substantial investment and technological innovation, as well as economic competitiveness, and social consequences. Additionally, the paper illustrates the complex interplay between climate objectives and economic restructuring within the EU, offering insights into the potential of the energy transition to not only mitigate climate change but also to drive socio-economic development and resilience.

Evaluating Economic Efficiency through Digital Technologies

Abstract The rapid advancement of digital technologies has generated increased interest among researchers to investigate and evaluate the impact of these technologies on economic efficiency. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the influence of digital technologies on economic efficiency in the countries of Europe and the European Union (EU) over seven years (2016-2022), for which the necessary data was found. The fundamental question of the study is: which countries in the European Union and across the entire European continent exhibit a trend of increasing revenues from the ERP system market, and among these, where is an influence on GDP observed? A group of 42 countries was analyzed, consisting of 27 countries from the European Union and 15 non-member countries, and the period studied ranges from 2016 to 2022. The study reveals that, generally, in countries where revenues from the ERP market are on the rise, there is a positive trend in economic efficiency. The study's estimates suggest that the level of internet usage in a country and the workforce with an advanced level of education significantly influence GDP per capita at the level of the countries in the European Union and the entire European continent. The conclusions of our study are based on theoretical predictions and the relevant results of other studies. The research indicates that ERP systems, as part of digital technologies and other macroeconomic factors, play an important role in stimulating economic efficiency in the European Union member states and those outside the union.

Process security methods and measurement in the context of standard management systems

Abstract The main purpose of the paper is to identify ways to establish process security in the constantly changing risk and control environment and to introduce a new model. The research is based on a literature review of process security components. Qualitative content analysis was used to establish a linkage between the certified management systems and the level of process security. Elaborations have been conducted based on the survey data of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) and served as a basis for analysis of certification types and their sectoral division in the European Union (EU) member states. A new Balanced Scorecard has been developed to cover the security pillars in the context of standard management systems and serve as a framework for process security measurement. The research paper processes the state-of-the-art issue of process security, introduces components that help to establish process security, and establishes a linkage between the level of process security and certified management systems. An analysis was based on the ISO certification information related to different management system standards. Management systems were analysed in the context of process security and corresponding process performance measures. A brief walkthrough has been prepared to demonstrate the processes behind the underlying performance measures. A new Balanced Scorecard approach has been developed that maps and covers different security aspects retrieved from and linked to different management system standards. The new Balanced Scorecard based on different security aspects of entities can be leveraged by any organisation, regardless of its size or business profile.

Do Cultural Activities and Happiness Matter to the Tourism Sector?

Abstract Research purpose. The primary goal of this research is to determine the impact of the efficiency of the tourism sector in the European Union (EU). Design / Methodology / Approach. The analysis involved 25 selected EU countries using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Tobit regression modelling. For DEA expenses according to the stays per visit (1 night or over) when going to a foreign country, individuals actively working in the tourism industry and tangible heritage inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) are used as inputs and inbound tourism as an output. Variables for the Tobit model were as follows: cultural activities, Happiness index and tourist expenditure of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Findings. In nations characterised by lower efficiency levels, policymakers ought to enhance their strategies and encourage the advancement of their country's appeal to tourists. Additionally, there should be an increased emphasis on enhancing the well-being and happiness of the local population. Originality / Value / Practical implications. Theoretical research on the efficiency of the tourism sector in the EU lacks comprehensive studies that systematically examine the factors influencing efficiency across diverse EU member states. Although some research exists on specific aspects of tourism efficiency, such as environmental sustainability or economic impacts, there is a scarcity of holistic investigations that encompass various dimensions of efficiency, including resource utilization, infrastructure development, policy effectiveness, and socio-cultural impacts, within the EU's overarching context. Moreover, there is a limited exploration of potential variations in tourism efficiency among different EU regions and the underlying factors driving these differences. Bridging this research gap could offer valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academics seeking to enhance the overall efficiency and sustainability of the tourism sector in the EU. The study’s constraint lies in the exclusion of Denmark and Luxembourg, which is attributed to insufficient statistical data.

Mapping Circular Economy Performance: EU Member States Analysis and Insights

Abstract The concept of the circular economy was created around the desire to extend the life of products and, implicitly, their use in an economy. The waste reduction process is founded on the basis of the three R's - reduce, reuse, recycle, which aims to conserve natural resources. In order to determine the contribution made by the European Union (EU) states regarding the circular economy sector, a descriptive analysis was carried out at the level of the member countries, followed by the identification of their ranking regarding the performances recorded in accordance with the analyzed indicators, a final step being the realization of a cluster analysis through which to determine the similarities and differences between them. Among the results obtained, it was found that the countries in the center of the EU have among the highest values in terms of private investment related to circular economy sectors, but also for resource productivity, although they have among the lowest percentages of people employed in this field, but and among the largest greenhouse gas emissions from production activities.