Eastern European Journal of Regional Studies
ISSN: 2537-6179 | e-ISSN: 1857-436X
Volume 3 | Issue 2 | December 2017

Volume 3 | Issue 2 | December 2017

Competitiveness and Economic Growth through Education and Investments: The Case of Moldova

Authors: Tatiana PÎŞCHINA

Abstract: This article explores and emphasizes the importance of education and innovation activity for competitiveness, and qualitative economic growth, using the case study of the Republic of Moldova. Specifically in context of globalization, when developing nations experience pressures of economic and societal imbalances, the importance of basic cornerstones of the economy cannot be overestimated. Starting with education, an economy builds the platform to nurture and hopefully retain talent. Entrepreneurs create new business streams, new products and services, and new areas for investment. Investments, in their turn, can be used as another powerful mechanism to obtain quality in economic growth. Besides necessary investments in infrastructure and healthcare, investments into science, technology and various R&D activities that lead up to the increased share of high-technology in the GDP structure of countries like Moldova are necessary, as well as possible due to high potential of Moldova’s skilled population making up for the lack of other resources available to the developed economies. In this context, economic competitiveness and qualitative growth by importing, adapting, implementing and developing new technologies, can be reached by the industrializing economies sooner than expected.

Keywords: globalization, developing countries, education, investment, innovation, technology, competitiveness

Pages: 4-17 | Full text (PDF)


A Study of the Views of Respondents on the Functioning of PRIMO Information Retrieval System in Universities from Moldova

Authors: Elena RAILEAN, Liubovi KARNAEVA

Abstract: This article reflects the results of a survey of users' opinions about the PRIMO search system, which was implemented in seven universities in Moldova. The peculiarities of PRIMO system implementation in higher educational institutions of the country were revealed and recommendations for its promotion in the educational and scientific community of the Republic of Moldova were suggested.

Keywords: Information retrieval system PRIMO, questionnaires, respondents, repository, scientific community, search algorithm, keywords, promotion, training

Pages: 18-31 | Full text (PDF)


SOCIAL ECONOMY AS THE MAINSTREAM OF THE EUROPEAN UNION DEVELOPMENT

Authors: Diana GAFAROVA, Oleg ZATEPYAKIN

Abstract: The global community is striving nowadays to find ways to stabilize social processes, as well as to solve the problem of involving socially vulnerable groups in the social and economic life and work out a strategy for reducing long-term unemployment. The development of the social economy has been chosen as the mainstream of the European Union development. A great deal of attention of European Commission is paid to studying and development of recommendations on the introduction of principles of social economy, both in the basic EU countries and in the countries that are becoming the new members of the EU. However the national approach to the legalization and support of social companies is used in each country. So, for example, in Slovakia it is supposed to create social enterprises for inclusion of disadvantaged people to the labour market first of all. Along with support of the traditional actors of the social economy, the EU is also actively developing new forms of social economy actors, social enterprises are primarily among which. The development of the principles of social economy and the activation of social enterprises is relevant for many post-Soviet countries, including Russia. However, so far in Eastern European scientific practice, many researchers do not see the difference between the concepts of social economy, social market economy, solidarity economy. The key characteristics of the social economy are considered in the article, the interrelation of social, social market and solidarity economies is observed, modern trends in the construction of the social economy of the EU are highlighted.

Keywords: Social economy, Social market economy, Solidarity economy, Social economy company, Social enterprise

Pages: 32-43 | Full text (PDF)


The Perspectives of Green Economy in the Republic of Moldova under the Impact of Ecologization World Economy Megatrend

Authors: Zorina SHISHCAN, Marina KAIM

Abstract: The authors have outlined the conceptual methodology in the field as well as the relevant Strategies, Programs and Projects implemented in European Union and Republic of Moldova, and have figured out the key elements as well as the perspectives of green economy development in the country.

Keywords: green economy, ecologization, European Union, Republic of Moldova

Pages: 44-52 | Full text (PDF)


The Evolution of the Research - Development Services at the Regional Level in Romania

Authors: Cecilia-Irina RĂBONȚU, Ana-Gabriela BABUCEA

Abstract: Research and Development services are the first of the services that support the process of innovation, innovation, and eco-innovation, with a special attention from developing countries that invest a significant percentage of GDP in these type of services. Studying the evolution of R & D services in the territorial profile is a major issue in the current context because these services are the first step in any stage of innovation, development, competitiveness, raising the standard of living of the population, increasing the economic well-being and social issues of a country. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature in the field and to analyze the evolution of the main relevant indicators in describing the level at which R & D services in Romania, and at the regional level, indicators for which there are publicly available statistical data in the official databases. The study, based on fundamental research in the field and the results of numerous bibliographic sources on this topic, uses specific statistical methods of territorial analysis. The obtained results outline an overview of the research and development services in Romania, but also at the level of the NUTS2 regions highlighting the gaps between them.

Keywords: services, R&D, expenditure, researchers, regions, territorial analysis

Pages: 53-67 | Full text (PDF)


Innovation policies and entrepreneurship in the Baltic States - key to European Economic success

Authors: Olesea SIRBU, Augustin IGNATOV, Rodica CRUDU

Abstract: Entrepreneurship is by far the most important force stimulating economic growth and social progress. In case of the Baltic States pro-market regulation allowed passing over the transition period in a relatively short period of time and, therefore, be sufficiently competitive as to integrate into the European Union. Thus, presently, the Baltic States came to be the most economically developed countries among the former USSR states. Consequently, the present research addresses three key questions, first, which is the role of entrepreneurship in determining the Baltic States’ economic development, second, what is the influence of R&D investments of the society in general and of business in particular in boosting economic development, and third, will the present fiscal policies in the Baltic States motivate further economic growth by stimulating entrepreneurial and innovation? The methodology involved in this paper includes both quantitative and qualitative indicators which combined will offer a deeper insight upon the matter of the present research. The results received allowed reaching the conclusion that entrepreneurship has enhanced all the Baltic States’ economic competitiveness yet the extent differ, with Estonia leading followed by Lithuania and Latvia.

Keywords: the Baltic States, economic development, reforms, entrepreneurship, innovation

Pages: 68-81 | Full text (PDF)


Human environment and cultural influence on the development of international business

Authors: Nicolae ȚÂU, Mohammedelkhatim IBRAHIM MUSTAFA SHARFELDIN

Abstract: Peoples always seek to improve their life conditions. This sought had significantly contributed to the improvement of human life. Urbanization was a major turning point in the history of human development. It contributed to a change of lifestyle and a progress of business. The establishment of urban areas led to a transformation in the human and cultural environments. Furthermore, globalization processes contributed considerably to the alteration of human and cultural environments. In this work, we are going to explore the components of the human and cultural environment. The main aim of this work is reveal how can human environment and cultural influence the development of international business. This work is similarly meant to exhibit how cultural differences can and cultural transformation caused by globalization processes, affect communication, negotiation and management processes, thus influencing the development of international business.

Keywords: lifestyle, urbanization, power distance, individualistic, collectivistic, masculinity, femininity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term/short-term orientation, indulgent, restrain, universalistic, collectivistic, neutral, emotional, specific, diffuse, achievement, ascription, sequential, synchronous, Internally-directed, externally-directed

Pages: 82-92 | Full text (PDF)


Regulation and Culture Change in the Process of Europeanisation in Neighbor Economies: The Case of Competition Regulation in Moldova

Authors: Theodore KOUTSOBINAS, Rodica CRUDU

Abstract: International economic relations are increasingly governed by trade agreements that give rise to regional associations. In this context, main socio-economic paradigms expand and, as a result, processes such as Europeanisation in the case of European Union emerge. A key foundation of Europeanisation is the adoption of regulation according to EU acquis by ascending member and partner countries. Besides the prospects of massive adoption of regulation and application of related enforcement, an important mechanism for paradigm expansion is the implementation of culture change in the regulation framework. The paper discusses Europeanisation in the light of the theory of institutional culture change as a planning and public policy instrument. The impact of institutional cultural change is examined in the context of regulation, by using as a special case the competition framework. The advantages and difficulties of promoting competition culture are discussed in an international context and with regard to transition economies subject to Europeanisation, taking developments in Moldova as a case-study. The main finding is that culture change implementation must be incorporated into the strategic planning of regulatory authorities to mitigate the risk of possible policy erosion or bottlenecks.

Keywords: Culture change, Europeanisation, regulation, competition, awareness

Pages: 93-108 | Full text (PDF)


ON THE ESSENCE AND EFFICIENCY OF PROGRAMME BUDGETING

Authors: Andrei PETROIA

Abstract: The program budgeting applies to cases where expenditure is classified in the budget by objectives (outcomes and outputs) rather than solely by economic categories (i.e., inputs such as salaries) and organizational category. Performance budgeting (or performance-informed budgeting) refers to a wider set of initiatives intended to strengthen the links between the funds provided and the results achieved through ensuring performance information is used in resource allocation decision making. Program and performance budgeting reforms should, therefore, provide information in a way that informs choices about spending alternatives and should improve transparency and accountability of government. There is no “best practice” approach, more “best fit” and the unique context of each country needs to be considered. It could be noted that some key public finance specialists recommend getting the “basics” right first as a priority. At the end of given research, there is introduced an experience of programme budgeting in Hungary, which has already have good results of its use.

Keywords: budget, programme, programme budgeting, budgetary system, performance-based budgeting, effectiveness, efficiency

Pages: 109-122 | Full text (PDF)