National Competition Research Articles

The Investigative Powers of the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection and Directive (EU) 2019/1 of the European Parliament and of the Council: Selected Issues

Abstract Directive (EU) 2019/1 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018, to empower the competition authorities of the Member States to be more effective enforcers and to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market, obliges Member States to harmonize the law governing, amongst others, the powers of national competition authorities, including investigative powers. The Act aimed at the transposition of this directive was passed in Poland with a significant delay. This article analyses the provisions of the Act of 16 February 2007 on competition and consumer protection, in force on 4 February 2021 (the deadline for the transposition of Directive 2019/1), regulating the investigative powers of the president of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), and the changes in the relevant scope adopted by the Act of 9 March 2023 amending the Act on competition and consumer protection and some other acts. The research problem includes determining whether the regulations that were in force between 4 February 2021 and 20 May 2023 governing the investigative powers of the UOKiK president, in connection with proceedings for infringement of the prohibition of competition-restricting practices, were in line with the requirements of Directive 2019/1 and whether the abovementioned amendment act removed any existing discrepancies.

Management in Sport Climbing

Sports management in Indonesia is faced with a lack of adequate attention and investment in sports development. The budget allocated for sports development is still limited, including in terms of coaching athletes and improving sports facilities. This can make it difficult to achieve excellence in national competitions and develop the potential of high-achieving athletes. The Rock-Climbing Federation (FPTI) PENGCAB Jember district is experiencing quite serious problems in organizational management. This is evidenced by several elements of management that are not fulfilled, such as limited funds, multiple jobs in management, senior athletes changing residence, inadequate facilities and infrastructure. The aim of this research is to examine the management functions within FPTI PENGCAB Jember district as follows: Planning, Organizing, Mobilizing and Controlling. This research uses a qualitative approach with data collection methods in the form of observation, interviews and documentation. The research objects in this study are organizational administrators, coaches and athletes. The data analysis process uses data triangulation 1) data reduction, 2) data presentation, and 3) drawing conclusions. Research findings include: 1) Management planning (FPTI) meets the categorization criteria, namely clear who, what, when, where and how to do it; 2) Organization and management (FPTI) meets the categorization criteria, namely comprehensive management, work mechanisms, no written job descriptions, and routine activities discussed at the beginning of the year; 3) Driving, management (FPTI) meets the categorization criteria, namely complete management, work mechanisms, and there are routine activities. The research conclusions show that: (1) Planning: management of the Indonesian rock-climbing federation is very good; (2) Organization: the management of the Indonesian rock-climbing sports federation is quite good; and (3) Actuating: the management of the Indonesian rock-climbing sports federation is quite good. (4) Control: The Indonesian Rock-Climbing Sports Association is running quite well. Keywords: Sport Climbing, Sports management, Indonesian rock-climbing

Taking aim at innovation-crushing mergers: a killer instinct unleashed?

Abstract The European Union (EU) has assigned competition policy an important role as part of an extensive new agenda to stimulate innovation, including by fostering the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The ability of EU merger control to be receptive and responsive to innovation harms has therefore come under scrutiny, with some observers doubting its capacity to address innovation-crushing ‘killer acquisitions’ of innovative SMEs. This article reflects on several recent developments that have shaped the EU’s response to these doubts. Substantively, the more central role afforded to innovation considerations in the European Commission’s recent enforcement practice may well demonstrate its willingness to engage with innovation theories of harm in mainstream merger control going forward, although questions remain about the standards and methodology it can adopt under the EU Merger Regulation (EUMR). Jurisdictionally, the recalibrated approach to the Article 22 EUMR referral mechanism—assisted, in certain circumstances, by the new pre-merger information obligation for digital gatekeepers under Article 14 DMA—is capable of bringing an almost boundless range of cases before the Commission. The Towercast judgment casts the net further still, by confirming the potential for below-threshold mergers to face ex post reviews at the national level under the Article 102 TFEU abuse of dominance prohibition. The effect of these developments is that the Commission and national competition authorities may now be better equipped to unleash a killer instinct when faced with innovation concerns arising from killer acquisitions. However, an unwelcome pendulum swing towards over-enforcement risks untold harm to legal certainty, merger activity, and innovation itself.

Reform of competition legislation in Ukraine

The scientific article is devoted to determining the specifics of the reform of competition legislation in Ukraine. On the path of European integration, Ukraine faces the need to reform certain spheres of state power, in particular in the area of regulation of competition law, following the example of the countries of the European Union. By signing the Association Agreement between Ukraine, on the one hand, and the European Union, the European Atomic Energy Community and their member states, on the other hand, Ukraine undertook to fulfill a number of provisions on bringing national legislation into line with the legislation of European countries. One of the directions of bringing national legislation to the legislation of European countries is the need for compliance with national legislation, in particular Article 256 of the Association Agreement, the provisions of which will be analyzed in this scientific article. In addition, the provisions of the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Improving the Activities of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine” dated August 9, 2023 3295­IX, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, will be analyzed. The article will also note that the reform of competition legislation in Ukraine consists in the implementation of this law, the provisions of which will enter into force in 2024. The article will point out the shortcomings and advantages of this Law and determine the main provisions that will ensure compliance of national competition legislation with the provisions of the Association Agreement. The specifics of the changes that will take place in the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine in the process of implementing the norms of the above-mentioned Law, as well as the specifics of the changes in economic procedural legal relations, will also be considered. In addition, the scientific article will reveal how the relevant law will affect the activities of the notary and the National Police in Ukraine.

Discussion on the Docking Mode of Provincial and National Competitions in Hotel Service Events

Discussion on the Docking Mode of Provincial and National Competitions in Hotel Service Events

Implementasi Pendidikan Karakter Jepang Dalam Perspektif Islam Di Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 2 Kota Kediri

This research contains the process of implementing Japanese character education at MAN 2 Kediri City. The type of research used in this research is qualitative research. The information collection technique in this research is through observation, interviews and documentation. The results of this research prove that some MAN 2 Kediri City students have not implemented their character education in their daily life at school. Some other students have implemented their character education, such as coming to school on time, regularly attending group prayers, having a respectful and polite attitude towards teachers or older people. The characters possessed by each student are an attitude of never giving up, being able to work well with friends, and having a high enthusiasm for learning which can be proven when the students will take part in high school/MA and national level competitions. The students are always enthusiastic about practicing from the time the school bell rings until the school bell rings. Globally, it can be said that MAN 2 Kediri City students have superior personalities so they are able to become the nation's next generation of quality.

Transformation of the Polish Heating Sector Based on an Example of Select Heat Energy Companies Supplying Energy to Local Government Units

The aim of this study was to identify changes in the Polish heating sector and assess modernization investments in the field of energy transformation. This research covered 30 municipalities in Poland that applied for the II National Competition for Local Government Units for the Most Energy Innovative Local Government. In terms of changes, the analysis covered the years 2002–2021 and in the investment assessment, data from 2021 were used, as well as plans and strategies of enterprises and local governments. To assess planned investments in district heating companies, an original method of assessing social needs and the ability and readiness of enterprises to modernize the infrastructure in the field of heating was developed. It considers the emissivity factor of a heating plant and the assessment of investments by experts according to nine criteria. The method was used to assess changes in the district heating system in 30 municipalities in Poland. The shaping of the energy strategy in Poland is influenced by the climate and energy policy of the European Union (EU), which assumes that by 2040, households and industries will be heated with system heat or low-emission energy sources. Poland is the second-largest district heating market in the European Union, but heat production in the country is dependent on coal, which is why this sector requires transformation in the coming years. Research shows that thermal energy companies modernizing their installations more often use low-emission technologies than zero-emission ones. The main objectives of investments in energy production are the decarbonization of the heating system and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as social needs in the field of connecting houses and flats to the system networks.

The Elephant in the Room Turns Twenty: The Effect on Trade and the Enforcement of the EU Competition Law by the National Competition Authorities

The Elephant in the Room Turns Twenty: The Effect on Trade and the Enforcement of the EU Competition Law by the National Competition Authorities

Multiplicity of tools for antitrust and consumer protection in digital markets: the Italian experience and the road ahead

ABSTRACT This article discusses the role of national competition authorities in the digital sector in the lights of new legislative initiatives in Europe. It argues that the availability of multiple tools offers new opportunities to balance objectives such as flexibility, harmonization, timeliness and legal certainty, helping to enhance effectiveness. Further, it discusses the recent enforcement experience of the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), which has the dual mandate to enforce competition and consumer protection rules in Italy. The AGCM has used antitrust tools to empower consumers with choice, through a number of landmark digital cases on issues related to access and visibility in online marketplaces, refusal to deal and interoperability, data value and portability, privacy and advertising, and unfair negotiations. The AGCM has used consumer protection tools to guide consumers in the selection process, concluding numerous digital investigations on online architecture, misleading information, dark patterns and choice pressure.

Library in the Space of Books and Events of the 36th Moscow International Book Fair

From August 30 to September 3, 2023, the 36th Moscow International Book Fair was held at the Expo Centre Central Exhibition Complex on Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment. The Forum brought together participants from various regions of Russia, as well as representatives of 21 countries, including seven countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Germany, China and Iran, and was attended by more than 34 thousand people. The VKontakte social network has become a partner of online broadcasts and the official MIBF network. More than 300 events were held at seven venues. Publishers from Moscow, St. Petersburg and 26 other Russian regions presented their books.The article presents an annual review of the activities of the MIBF: The National competition “Book of the Year — 2023”, the competition of the Russian Library Association “The Best professional Book of the Year”, the 3rd Readers’ Assembly of the Commonwealth, the industry conference “Book Market of Russia — 2023”, the Moscow International Children’s Book Fair. In the event context of the most relevant events for the library industry, libraries’ understanding of their role in the socio-cultural life of society is revealed: achievements and initiatives aimed at preserving heritage, promoting books and reading are noted, new projects, including book publishing, are presented, the results of the participation of the Russian State Library and the publishing house “Pashkov Dom” in the MIBF-2023 are summed up.

Assessment of Skill Performance Among the Soccer Players in Different Playing Positions

The main purpose of the study was to compare soccer skill performance among the players in different playing positions. For the present study, a total of 45 (N=45) players, 15(n=15) each forward, midfielder, and defender between 18 to 25 (23±0.8) years of age, who had participated in the national competitions from Manipur, were selected randomly. Mor-Christian General Soccer Ability Skill Test was administered to obtain the data for soccer skill performance. Descriptive analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to find the characteristics and means difference among the different playing positions, respectively, and tested at 0.05 confidence level (p<0.05). Further post hoc test was applied by using Scheffe’s method to determine paired mean differences among different playing positions. The study results reveal non-significant differences in passing and shooting skills performance among the forward, midfielder, and defender positions. In the case of dribbling skills performance, a significant difference was found among the forward, midfielder, and defender positions. Further, the paired-wise mean comparison revealed that a significant mean difference was found between the midfielder and defender positions. However, non-significant mean differences were found between the forward and midfielder, and forward and defender positions. The study concluded that forwards, midfielders and defenders may have equally integrated fitness and skill ability to make a strong team, and any player can advance to score a goal during the play

Thirty Years of Consolidating the Professional Community

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Department of Library Science of the International Academy of Informatisation, the article presents an overview of its activities, its place in the academic environment, and its reflection in the professional press. The statutory tasks, main directions of work, principles of membership, participation in conferences of national and international level in 2022 are given. Information is presented about the publication activity of the Branch members, their assistance in the preparation of draft professional and educational standards, in the work of the expert commission for the analysis of educational programmes of professional development and professional training, in the studies “Monitoring of the staff composition of public libraries under the jurisdiction of regional/municipal cultural authorities of the subjects of the Russian Federation”, “Workshop of the staff partnership: library aspect”, etc. Various theoretical, applied and methodological issues requiring scientific understanding and practical solutions are constantly in the field of vision of the Division’s specialists. The author emphasizes the significant role of the Branch members in organizing and conducting national industry competitions. The anniversary year of 2023 marked a new stage of the Branch’s activities and prospects, taking into account the realities and global challenges.

Muscle Strength and Joint Range of Motion of the Spine and Lower Extremities in Female Prepubertal Elite Rhythmic and Artistic Gymnasts.

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the passive joint range of motion (PROM) and muscle strength in prepubertal rhythmic gymnasts (RGs), artistic gymnasts (AGs), and a control group (CG) of the same age. A total of 54 prepubertal girls were divided into three groups: 18 RGs (age 11.14 ± 0.7, height 142.6 ± 5.81, and body mass 31.2 ± 3.63); 18 AGs (age 11.27 ± 0.99, height 139.6 ± 5.85, and body mass 31.7 ± 3.21), and 18 school girls who are defined as CG (age 10.55 ± 0.42, height 145.33 ± 6.95, and body mass 42.1 ± 8.21) participated in the study. All athletes were elites and participated in national competitions. The CG participated only in their school physical education program. Isokinetic peak torques were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex II) at 60, 180, and 300°·sec-1. Body mass index was greater in the CG compared to RGs and AGs (p < 0.001). PROM in cervical extension in RG was significantly higher compared to the AG and CG (p < 0.001). The athlete groups, RG and AG, showed significantly greater PROM in knee flexion (p < 0.001), hip flexion (p < 0.001), and hip abduction (p < 0.05) compared to CG. PROM in hip flexion was different between the left and right leg in RGs. The relative muscle strength of the quadriceps in the RG and AG was significantly greater compared to CG (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 respectively). Gymnastics training in prepubertal ages can improve neuromuscular function and increase the relative muscle strength. Therefore, it is essential to note that when evaluating children within the developmental ages, especially those involved in sports, the type of muscle strength to be assessed should be specified.

Lean Six Sigma implementation in medical school.

426 Background: While medical schools teach advanced medical, surgical, and radiation interventions in oncology, we often don’t teach students how to identify deficits in existing modalities and methodically implement change. Medical students are underexposed to concepts of QI, and many medical educators feel that tools like Lean Six Sigma are too advanced or esoteric for student involvement. A gap exists to create a QI curriculum that invites medical student engagement, while also allowing them to develop self-efficacy to begin a lifelong career of continue process improvement in medicine. Methods: We previously demonstrated that a Value-based Care competition, can serve as a medical school QI curriculum with high levels of student engagement in both local and national competitions. Teams of students collaborate with key stakeholders at their hospital to implement QI projects through the Lean Six Sigma process improvement methodology. This competition is currently completing its third year, and recruiting for the 4th cycle. We performed a multi-year review of student engagement, the degree to which students progressed down the steps of Lean Six Sigma, and the outcomes of QI projects developed through these competitions. Results: For the 2022-23 competition cycle, six medical schools across the country (MCG, UCSD, Florida State University (FSU), Baylor, Penn State, and even internationally at the University of Queensland ran local competitions, representing a 50% growth over the previous cycle (four schools total in 2021-22). Of these schools, four of them are now participating in the National Competition to implement their projects using Lean Six Sigma; representing a 33% growth compared to last year (three schools total in 2021-22). In terms of implementation tools, students have successfully achieved IRB approvals, development of implementations timetables, defining and measuring controls and outcomes, and recruiting patients. Conclusions: Despite being busy with many other components of their medical education, and despite the entirely voluntary nature of the competition, there continues to be a strong appetite amongst medical students to participate in quality improvement. Students have demonstrated their willingness and ability to learn and implement QI projects using Lean Six Sigma. We have also employed a ‘see one, do one, teach one’ model of peer mentorship to create a sustainable multi-year, multi-school, and now multi-national curriculum that continues to grow.

Knowledge and Perception of ‘Pay-to-Play’ in Football among Sport Journalists in Ghana

Football (soccer) is a major sport among the Ghanaian population, followed by Boxing and other emerging sports like Handball, Indoor Volleyball, Swimming, Field Hockey, Basketball, Badminton, and Arm Wrestling, among others. To the Ghanaian community, ‘sports is football,’ and this has attracted much attention and interest among the youth in an attempt to develop their talent and skills. With such an interest and passion among the Ghanaian youth, it is an expectation and dire hope to be featured in football competitions. This often is not the case, as there is a perceived intention of ‘Pay-to-Play’ to participate in national football competitions in Ghana. This study explored the knowledge and perception of ‘Pay-to-Play’ in football among Sports Journalists in Accra, Kumasi, and Ho. The study adopted qualitative methods with a semi-structured open-ended question sent to the respondents via Email and WhatsApp. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit the respondents, and the snowball technique aided the researchers in reaching other Sports Journalists. The study identified the existence of ‘Pay-to-Play’ in football in Ghana. This has resulted in the loss of interest in football consumption among the youth, particularly in the Ghana Premier League, and has led to less football development in Ghana.

FORMATION OF MOTIVATION AND VALUE ORIENTATIONS IN TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL SPORTS ATHLETES

The article highlights the problems of forming motivational and value orientations among team and individual sports athletes. It showed that in the majority of scientific works devoted to the study of sports motivation, consideration of individual motivational variables, mainly the main sports motives of activity, prevails. Three main aspects of the study of motivation in general and sports motivation are highlighted, in particular: the topological (content) aspect, which involves consideration of the content of the main motives of activity; the structural aspect, which focuses attention on the internal structural characteristics of motivation and assumes the presence of a certain structure of interdependent motivational variables as a single entity, which, in fact, is motivation; dynamic aspect, which includes the entire complex of factors that ensure the process of formation, development, extinction of motivation, as well as the development of demotivation. Motivational variables have been studied that will allow to consider and characterize the structure of sports motivation in a socio-psychological context, in representatives of team and individual sports, in which the fact of having a team can determine the uniqueness of the combination and the degree of manifestation of these motivational variables: external and internal motives of sports activity, valuable orientations, types of orientation of the athleteʼs personality, as well as jealousy as one of the motives that ensure success in a competitive situation. It was revealed that the structure of sports motivation is a system of interrelated internal and external motives that ensure the desire to achieve high results in sports of higher achievements, which is determined by the social and psychological context ‒ the presence or absence of a team as a group (“a single whole”), factors, that determine the specifics of the professional development of athletes. We see the prospect of further research in the development of programs that provide training for professional athletes to perform at national and international competitions.&#x0D; Keywords: formation; motivation; motives; values; orientations; motivational variables; young athletes; interaction team and individual sports; team.

The Role of Sport in Acceptance of Disability and Resilience

It is claimed that sport is an influential mechanism that could withstand against a great many negativities with regard to life for disabled people. To this end, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between the acceptance of disability and resilience levels of athletes and non-athletes. The group of the research was made up of 140 athletes and 165 non-athletes (90 female, 215 male). In this study, which was designed in a descriptive research model, Acceptance Disability Scale (ADS) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used as the data collection tools. It was found that both the acceptance of disability and the resilience levels of athletes were high compared to disabled ones and that there was a significant difference (p&amp;lt;0.01). In addition, it has been understood that the average scores of individuals who are successful in international competitions are higher than those who are successful in national competitions. It was concluded that there is a good level of positive relationship between acceptance of disability and resilience levels. As a result, the sport seemed to affect both acceptance of disability and resilience significantly.

Exploring agriculture, climate change, and food planning nexus

In Portugal, local answers to climate change and food are basically twofold: the approval of a Climate Adaptive Strategy or Plan, which are largely being formulated by Portuguese municipalities and the voluntary signature of the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration. As both folds are not binding their impact is limited. However, a recent Portuguese framework Law on Climate [2021], aligned with the European Green Deal, imposes that all municipalities must approve a municipal climate action plan before summer 2024. Such a context opens up a window of opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned from the already approved Climate Adaptive Plans and Strategies. Therefore, we explore in this paper the following inter - connected questions: (1) to what extent Climate Adaptive Plans and Strategies include the increase of local food production; (2) Do they consider each step of the food chain or solely food production? (3) To what extent are those measures transcribed into the planning rules and regulations. In order to do so, we analysed 14 Climate Adaptive Strategies or Plans of a selected group of cities that entered the national competition ECO XXI, based on a sustainable framework of multiple dimensions. In 2021, as much as 57 out of the 308 Portuguese municipalities entered the competition. Results suggest that adaptive measures relate to increasing local agriculture, mapping out land availability or highlighting the need for local agroecological practices. Moreover, Climate Adaptive Strategies or Plans, measures and actions are predominantly related to agriculture production, leaving behind subsequent food chain activities. This is probably happening due to a narrow and sectorial vision of agriculture that do not consider each one of the stages of the food chain. Lastly, the inclusion of several measures and actions into planning instruments is quite promising, even if still fragile to transform existing reality. In conclusion, there is an urgent need to expand among food stakeholders the understanding of food and agriculture as part of the food system. In addition, there is a need to increase planner’s awareness to these topics as in practice the link between food, climate and planning is still missing. Findings highlight that the potential role of planning is not being fully unleashed. Such a consideration is in line with other international studies confirming that Portugal is not an exception. Therefore, lessons we learned might turn useful for other countries.

Neuromuscular but Not Technical Performance is Affected by Time-of-Day in Semiprofessional, Female Basketball Players

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether variations in technical and neuromuscular performance occur across different times of the day in basketball players. Methods: Twenty semiprofessional, female basketball players (23 ± 4 years) competing in a second-division national basketball competition completed separate testing batteries in the morning (08:30) and in the afternoon (17:30) in a randomized counterbalanced order. Testing sessions consisted of a free-throw accuracy test to assess technical performance, as well as flexibility (ankle dorsiflexion range-of-motion test), dynamic balance (modified star excursion balance test), vertical jump height (squat jump, countermovement jump with and without arm swing), strength (isometric handgrip), change-of-direction speed (V-cut test), and linear speed (20-m sprint) tests to assess neuromuscular performance. Mechanism variables were also obtained including tympanic temperature, urinary specific gravity, and rating of perceived exertion at each session. Results: Squat jump height (6.7%; p = .001; effect size (ES) = 0.33), countermovement jump height with (4.1%; p = .018; ES = 0.27) and without arm swing (5.9%; p = .007; ES = 0.30), and 20-m sprint time (−1.4%; p = .015; ES = -0.32) were significantly superior in the afternoon compared to morning. Tympanic temperature was significantly higher in the afternoon than morning (1.4%; p < .001; ES = 1.31). In contrast, no significant differences between timepoints were evident for all remaining variables (p > .05; ES = -0.33 to 0.16). Conclusions: Some neuromuscular variables exhibited a time-of-day effect with better jump and sprint performance in the afternoon compared to morning in semiprofessional, female basketball players.

Supporting Social Entrepreneurship Among Vietnamese Youth

Abstract: Social entrepreneurship is gaining increased prominence internationally as a vehicle for addressing a range of socioeconomic issues, including access to decent and inclusive work. In Vietnam, such enterprises have become a key component of the country’s sustainable development strategy, with national competitions awarding start-up prizes for a few of the many young would-be social entrepreneurs. Competitions like this risk a sense of broken promise, in which unsuccessful and thereby disappointed applicants quit the sector prematurely. Recent research in Vietnam highlights a pivotal retentive support role for mentoring these promising social entrepreneurs, based on traditional village values of cooperation. Research shows these values to be central to social entrepreneurial resilience and success in Vietnam. It further suggests an extant network of successful social entrepreneurs who could mentor young runners-up, so that their ideas, energy, and career pathways are not lost. A national network of social entrepreneurs has been formed; and its mentors have indicated their willingness to support young people. This brief thereby proposes a next step: creation of a pro bono nationwide academy, dispersed in location but united in purpose, to support social entrepreneurship among Vietnamese youth.