Juridical Type Research Articles

Socio-economic and environmental sustainability of Bulgarian farms

Evaluation of sustainability of agricultural farms is among the most topical academic and practical – farm, business and policies forwarded issues. Despite that there are practically no studies on overall, economic, social, ecological, etc. sustainability of Bulgaria farms during European Union (EU) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) implementation. This article tries to fill the gap and presents results of a first large-scale study on integral, governance, economic, social, and environmental sustainability of market oriented farms in Bulgaria in general and for holdings of different juridical type, size, specialization and location. Initially, a holistic framework for assessing sustainability of Bulgarian farms is outlined, including a system of appropriate for the specific conditions of Bulgarian agriculture system of principles, criteria, indicators, and reference values for evaluating individual aspects and the integral sustainability of farming enterprises. Next, an assessment of made of the overall, governance, economic, social, and environmental sustainability of Bulgarian farms in general and holdings of different juridical type, size, specialization, ecological and geographical location. Finally, implications for further research and practices in sustainability assessment are withdrawn.

Sustainability of Farms of Natural Persons in Bulgaria

The issue of adequate assessment of socio-economic and ecological sustainability of divers agricultural holdings is among most topical academic and practical problems. It is particularly important for smallholder farms accounting for the majority of all farms in the globe. In Bulgaria unregistered farms of Natural Persons account for almost 98% of all farms in the country, cultivate a third of all farmlands, graze 85% of cows, 90% of sheep, and around a third of pigs, and employ almost 93% of workforce in the sectors. This article applies a holistic framework and assesses sustainability of farms of Natural Persons in Bulgaria during current stage of EU CAP implementation. Initially a new governance aspect of farm sustainability is justified and method outlined. After that assessment is made of integral, governance, economic, social, environmental sustainability of farms of Natural Persons of different size, specialization, and location, and comparative sustainability to other type of farms. Finally, directions for further research and amelioration of sustainability assessment practices are suggested. Overall sustainability of Natural Persons in the country is at a good level, with superior levels for environmental and social sustainability, close to the low level governance sustainability, and inferior economic sustainability. Comparative sustainability of holdings is lower than other juridical type. There are great variations in sustainability levels of farms of different kind and location. Share of Natural Persons with good and high sustainability is smaller than other categories of farms and majority of Natural Persons have no comparative advantages in terms of sustainability, and in a middle term will cease to exist.

Governance, Economic, Social and Environmental Sustainability of Farming Enterprises of Different Juridical Type in Bulgaria

The issue of assessment of absolute and comparative sustainability of major farming structures is among the most topical for researchers, farmers, investors, administrators, politicians, interests groups and public at large. Despite that practically there are no assessments on sustainability level of Bulgarian farms of different juridical type in conditions of European Union Common Agricultural Policy implementation. This article applies a holistic framework and assesses absolute and comparative sustainability of Bulgarian farming enterprises of different juridical type. Initially the method of the study is outlined, and overall characteristics of surveyed holdings presented. After that an assessment is made of integral, governance, economic, social, environmental sustainability of farming structures of different juridical type. Next, structure of farms with different sustainability levels is analyzed. Finally, conclusion from the study and directions for further research and amelioration of sustainability assessments suggested.

ABSOLUTE AND COMPARATIVE SUSTAINABILITY OF FARMING ENTERPRISES IN BULGARIA

Evaluating absolute and comparative sustainability of farming enterprises is among the most topical issues for researchers, farmers, investors, administrators, politicians, interests groups and public at large. Nevertheless, in Bulgaria and most East European countries there are no comprehensive assessments on sustainability level of Bulgarian farms of different juridical type. This article applies a holistic framework and assesses absolute and comparative sustainability major farming structures in Bulgaria – unregistered farms of Natural Persons, Sole Traders, Cooperatives, and Companies. First, method of the study is outlined, and overall characteristics of surveyed farming enterprises presented. After that an assessment is made of integral, governance, economic, social, environmental sustainability of farming structures of different juridical type. Next, structure of farming enterprises with different sustainability levels is analyzed. Finally, conclusion from the study and directions for further research and amelioration of sustainability assessments suggested.

(A Study on Sustainability of Bulgarian Farms)

Bulgarian Abstract: Оценката на устойчивостта на фермите е сред актуалните академични и практични (ориентиран към фермата, агро-бизнеса, политиката) въпроси. Въпреки това практически липсват изследвания върху общата, икономическата, социалната, екологическата и т.н. устойчивост на Българските стопанства в процеса на прилагане на ОСП на ЕС. Тази разработка предлага адекватен за условията на развитие на българското земеделие холистичен подход за оценка на равнището на устойчивост на фермите и резултатите от първото по рода си широкомащабно изследване на интегралната, управленческата, икономическата и екологическа устойчивост на ферите от различен юридически тип, размери, специализация и разположение. English Abstract: Evaluation of sustainability of agricultural farms is among the most topical academic and practical (farm, agri-business, policies forwarded) issues. Despite that there are practically no studies on overall, economic, social, ecological, etc. sustainability of farms in general and holdings of different type in Bulgaria during EU CAP implementation. This paper presents a holistic framework for defining and assessing sustainability of farms for the specific conditions of Bulgarian agriculture as well as results of the first large-scale study on integral, governance, economic, social, and environmental sustainability of Bulgarian farms. Initially, a framework for assessing farm sustainability is outlined which is based on incorporation of the interdisciplinary methodologies of New Institutional Economics, and Sustainable Development. That holistic framework includes a system of appropriate principles, criteria, indicators, and reference values for evaluating the individual aspects and the integral sustainability of farms in the specific Bulgarian conditions. After that an assessment is made on the overall, governance, economic, social, and environmental sustainability levels of Bulgarian farms in general and holdings of different juridical type, size, specialisation, and location.

Форми, фактори и ефективност на екоуправлението в земеделските стопанства в България

This paper presents the results of the first large-scale study on forms, factors, and efficiency of eco-management in Bulgarian agricultural farms of different juridical type, size, specialization, and location. First, a brief characterization of surveyed “eco-active” farms is made, analyzing the various forms and scope of eco-management in agricultural farms. Next, different factors of eco- management in farms are specified along with the costs, effects, efficiency and perspectives of eco-management in agricultural farms. Finally, conclusions from the study are summarized.

A Study on Eco-Management in Agricultural Farms with High Eco-Activity in Bulgaria

This paper presents the results of a first large-scale study on forms, factors, and efficiency of eco-management in Bulgarian agricultural farms of different juridical type, size, specialisation, and location. First, a brief characterisation of surveyed “eco-active” farms is made. After that, diverse (internal, private, contract, market, formal, informal, hybrid etc.) forms and the scope of eco-management in agricultural farms are analysed. Next, different (ideological, economic, market, social etc.) factors of eco-management in farms are specified. After that, analysis is made on costs, effects, efficiency and perspectives of eco-management in agricultural farms. Finally, conclusions from the study are summarised.

Management Strategies for Conservation of Natural Resources in Agriculture

This paper suggests a holistic framework for assessment and improvement of management strategies for conservation of natural resources in agriculture. First, it incorporates an interdisciplinary approach (combining Economics, Organization, Law, Sociology, Ecology, Technology, Behavioral and Political Sciences) and presents a modern framework for assessing environmental management and strategies in agriculture including: specification of specific “managerial needs” and spectrum of feasible governance modes (institutional environment; private, collective, market, and public modes) of natural resources conservation at different level of decision-making (individual, farm, eco-system, local, regional, national, transnational, and global); specification of critical socio-economic, natural, technological, behavioral etc. factors of managerial choice, and feasible spectrum of (private, collective, public, international) managerial strategies; assessment of efficiency of diverse management strategies in terms of their potential to protect diverse eco-rights and investments, assure socially desirable level of environmental protection and improvement, minimize overall (implementing, third-party, transaction etc.) costs, coordinate and stimulate eco-activities, meet preferences and reconcile conflicts of individuals etc. Second, it presents evolution and assesses the efficiency of diverse management forms and strategies for conservation of natural resources in Bulgarian agriculture during post-communist transformation and EU integration (institutional, market, private, and public), and evaluates the impacts of EU CAP on environmental sustainability of farms of different juridical type, size, specialization and location. Finally, it suggests recommendations for improvement of public policies, strategies and modes of intervention, and private and collective strategies and actions for effective environmental protection.

Assessment of Sustainability of Bulgarian Farms

The issue of assessment sustainability of agricultural farms as a whole and of different type is among the most topical for researchers, farmers, investors, administrators, politicians, interests groups and public at large. Despite that practically there are no assessments on sustainability level of Bulgarian farms in conditions of European Union Common Agricultural Policy implementation. This article applies a holistic framework and assesses sustainability of Bulgarian farms as a whole and of different juridical type, size, production specialisation, and ecological and geographical location. Initially the method of the study is outlined, and overall characteristics of surveyed holdings presented. After that an assessment is made of integral, governance, economic, social, environmental sustainability of farms in general and of different type and location. Next, structure of farms with different sustainability levels is analysed. Finally, factors for improving sustainability of Bulgarian farms are identified, and directions for further research and amelioration of farm management and public intervention in the sector suggested.

Patients refused admission to psychiatric hospitals in the Netherlands

In The Netherlands unforeseen and unwanted effects of the "de jure" policy of the government are outpatient waiting lists and refusal of applications for admission to mental hospitals. A register of applications of six mental hospitals in the northern part of The Netherlands reveals that there are significant differences between admitted and refused patients with regard to juridical status, urgency, catchment area, referral source, age and type of problems.