Innovative response initiatives in the European Union to mitigate the effects of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Almeida
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Virtual Education ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Sector Innovation ◽  
Local Contexts ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Great Relevance ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Eu

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the European Union (EU) through heavy pressure on health services, business activity and people's life. To mitigate these effects, government agencies, civil society and the private sector are working together in proposing innovative initiatives. In this sense, this study aims to characterize and explore the relevance of these projects to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach The Observatory of Public Sector Innovation provided by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development was considered to enable the identification and exploration of innovative projects to combat COVID-19. A methodology based on mixed methods is adopted to initially identify quantitatively the distribution of these projects, followed by a qualitative approach based on thematic analysis that allows exploring their relevance. Findings A total of 206 initiatives in the EU have been identified. The distribution of these projects is quite asymmetric, with Portugal and Austria totaling 33.52% of these projects. Most of these projects focus on the areas of public health, infection detection and control, virtual education, local commerce, digital services literacy, volunteering and solidarity and hackathons. Originality/value This work is relevant to identifying and understanding the various areas in which COVID-19 initiatives have been developed. This information is of great relevance for the actors involved in this process to be able to replicate these initiatives in their national, regional and local contexts.

Practice of the member states of the European Union in the field of anti-corruption regulation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmytro S. Melnyk ◽  
Oleg A. Parfylo ◽  
Oleksii V. Butenko ◽  
Olena V. Tykhonova ◽  
Volodymyr O. Zarosylo
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Member States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Legal Method ◽  
Content Analysis Method ◽  
The Eu

Purpose The experience of most European Union (EU) Member States has demonstrated effective anti-corruption practices, making the EU one of the leaders in this field, which can be used as an example to learn from in the field of anti-corruption. The purpose of this study is to analyze and identify the main features of anti-corruption legislation and strategies to prevent corruption at the national and supranational levels of the EU. Design/methodology/approach The following methods were used in the work: discourse and content analysis, method of system analysis, method of induction and deduction, historical-legal method, formal-legal method, comparative-legal method and others. Using the historical and legal method, the evolution of the formation of anti-corruption regulation at the supranational level was revealed. The comparative law method helped to compare the practices of the Member States of the EU in the field of anti-corruption regulation. The formal-legal method is used for generalization, classification and systematization of research results, as well as for the correct presentation of these results. Findings The main results, prospects for further research and the value of the material. The paper offers a critical review of key EU legal instruments on corruption, from the first initiatives taken in the mid-1990s to recent years. Originality/value In addition, the article analyzes the relevant anti-corruption legislation in the EU member states that are in the top 10 countries with the lowest level of corruption, namely: Denmark, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg.

The (in)securitization practices of the three universes of EU border control: Military/Navy – border guards/police – database analysts

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Bigo
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Use Of Force ◽  
Border Control ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Professional Dispositions ◽  
Work Routines ◽  
Local Contexts ◽  
Control Technologies ◽  
Practical Sense ◽  
The Eu

What practices of (in)securitization involve the notions of border and border control in the European Union? How do these practices operate? How are they assembled? In the resulting assemblage, is the notion of borders – understood as state borders – still relevant for the control of individuals and populations moving across the frontiers of the EU? Drawing on empirical observations and with a specific focus on how border control is translated into different social universes, this article seeks to show that practices of control are routinely embedded in a practical sense that informs what controlling borders does and means. This practical sense is itself informed by different professional habitus and work routines involving deterrence and the use of force, interrogation and detention, surveillance of populations on the move and the profiling of (un)trusted travellers. Its strength varies in relation to its shared dimension by most of the operators, and is adjusted to the materiality of borders as well as to the local contexts in which it is deployed. It activates, or does not activate, the maximal use of various control technologies (satellites, pre-registration and interoperable exchange of data between the state and private bureaucracies, biometrics identifiers, body-scanners). For understanding practices of (in)securitization, actual work routines and the specific professional ‘dispositions’ are therefore more important than any discourses actors may use to justify their activities.

Rebuilding trust: sustainability and non-financial reporting and the European Union regulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 701-725
Author(s):  
Matteo La Torre ◽  
Svetlana Sabelfeld ◽  
Marita Blomkvist ◽  
John Dumay
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Eu Directive ◽  
The Eu

Purpose This paper introduces the special issue “Rebuilding trust: Sustainability and non-financial reporting, and the European Union regulation”. Inspired by the studies published in the special issue, this study aims to examine the concept of accountability within the context of the European Union (EU) Directive on non-financial disclosure (hereafter the EU Directive) to offer a critique and a novel perspective for future research into mandatory non-financial reporting (NFR) and to advance future practice and policy. Design/methodology/approach The authors review the papers published in this special issue and other contemporary studies on the topic of NFR and the EU Directive. Findings Accountability is a fundamental concept for building trust in the corporate reporting context and emerges as a common topic linking contemporary studies on the EU Directive. While the EU Directive acknowledges the role of accountability in the reporting practice, this study argues that regulation and practice on NFR needs to move away from an accounting-based conception of accountability to promote accountability-based accounting practices (Dillard and Vinnari, 2019). By analysing the links between trust, accountability and accounting and reporting, the authors claim the need to examine and rethink the inscription of interests into non-financial information (NFI) and its materiality. Hence, this study encourages research and practice to broaden mandatory NFR practice over the traditional boundaries of accountability, reporting and formal accounting systems. Research limitations/implications Considering the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis, this study calls for further research to investigate the dialogical accountability underpinning NFR in practice to avoid the trap of focusing on accounting changes regardless of accountability. The authors advocate that what is needed is more timely NFI that develops a dialogue between companies, investors, national regulators, the EU and civil society, not more untimely standalone reporting that has most likely lost its relevance and materiality by the time it is issued to users. Originality/value By highlighting accountability issues in the context of mandatory NFR and its linkages with trust, this study lays out a case for moving the focus of research and practice from accounting-based regulations towards accountability-driven accounting change.

Frontex: Towards a Common Policy on External Border Control

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Mungianu
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Border Control ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Joint Operations ◽  
And Control ◽  
European Agency ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Common Policy

Abstract Operational cooperation at the external borders of the EU is part of the EU process of supranationalisation since 2006, when the Justice and Home Affairs Council Conclusions identified operational cooperation as a component of a common policy on external border control. Operational cooperation is supported by the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex). In this article I will focus on the extent to which the establishment of Frontex marks the shift of sovereignty from Member States to EU institutions in EU external border control. The analysis of two aspects of operational cooperation through Frontex – joint operations and European Border Guard Teams – shows the EU’s achievement in implementing a common policy on external border control. Nevertheless, EU Member States’ ‘sovereignty clauses’ for the surveillance and control of their external borders prevent the EU from fully exercising its power.

The European Union oil dependency: a threat to economic growth and diplomatic freedom

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Alexis Acevedo ◽  
Maria Lorca-Susino
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
European Union ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Difficult Situation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Energy Dependency ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Data Statistics ◽  
The Eu

Purpose This paper provides a general review of the current energy dependency of the European Union (EU) and the possible threat that it poses to economic growth and diplomatic freedom. Design/methodology/approach Systematic literature review with a narrative approach to analyze historical data, statistics and energy policies and determine if the EU oil dependency represents a threat to economic growth and diplomatic freedom. In addition, a review of the US policy “America first” is also included to analyze its impact on the EU. Findings The energy dependency rate of the EU increased 12 percentage points from 1990 to 2018. Russia has become the largest oil supplier for the EU tripling Norway, the largest supplier in the 1990s. The oil dependency of the EU on Russia is a difficult situation where guaranteed energy supply and diplomatic freedom becomes a national political controversy. Even though the USA is currently a top world exporter of oil, the EU does not rely on the USA. The findings suggest that the EU needs to secure a reliable energy supplier to guarantee economic growth, reduce energy scarcity and enhance diplomatic freedom. Originality/value This paper provides a historical examination of the EU oil dependency considering its impact on economic growth and diplomatic freedom.

Just another Chinese city? Hong Kong’s post-1997 role to the European Union

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-196
Author(s):  
Suetyi Lai
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Economic Bloc ◽  
The City ◽  
The Eu

Purpose By overviewing the role of Hong Kong to the European Union (EU), the world’s largest economic bloc and a key global actor, the purpose of this paper is to understand any change in international prominence and status of Hong Kong after two decades of its sovereignty return. Design/methodology/approach It is based on analysis of statistics, government discourses and official documents. Findings Main findings are that although the function of Hong Kong as an entrepot of China–EU trade and the ranking of the city as the EU’s trade partners have both diminished, the city sustains its roles as a platform to enter Mainland China, a regional hub in Asia, a major international capital market, a diplomatic counterpart and a partner in socio-cultural aspects to the EU. This paper agrees with the EU’s view that continuous well-functioning of Hong Kong under “One Country, Two System” serves stake of the Union which is keen on helping the SAR to ensure its high autonomy. Yet, the determinants remain Hong Kong and Beijing Governments, which have been and should continue to make use of Hong Kong’s closer tie with the mainland to promote international importance of both the city and China. Originality/value Research on relations between Hong Kong and the EU has been few, especially so in the past decades. This paper serves as a stock-take of the most recent developments in Hong Kong–EU relation.

Radio spectrum regulation as a matter of international affairs: discussing the effectiveness of the European Union at World Radiocommunication Conferences

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 373-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Massaro
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Radio Spectrum ◽  
Coalition Building ◽  
The European Union ◽  
International Affairs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The Eu

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the effectiveness of the European Union (EU) at World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs) by comparing EU objectives prior to and outcomes of recent WRCs. Design/methodology/approach A thematic analysis of qualitative data extracted from documents is conducted. The effectiveness of the EU is discussed by using the concepts of agenda-setting and coalition-building, borrowed from international relations literature. Findings A clear conclusion on EU effectiveness could not be drawn based on the degree of match between EU objectives and WRC outcomes. Other factors need to be included in the analysis, such as relevance of the EU’s participation at WRCs to the EU member states and availability and allocation of EU resources to the various stages of the WRC process. Research limitations/implications Further research is encouraged to investigate the role of the EU at WRCs. In particular, interviews with experts involved in the WRC process may help gather relevant information on EU relevance and EU resource availability and allocation. Originality/value This paper contributes to existing research on international radio spectrum regulation by drawing attention to the role of the EU as an international actor.

scholarly journals Macroeconomic Functions of the European Union Budget and the Multinational Financial Framework for 2014-2020

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-37
Author(s):  
Anna Wichowska
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Stimulus Information ◽  
National Budget ◽  
Financial Framework ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Primary Instrument ◽  
The Eu

This study aims to identify macroeconomic functions of the EuropeanUnion budget and an indication of the possibilities and extent of the impact of thebudget on the economy of the Community, as well as evaluating the functions performedon the background of Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020.The budget of the European Union – despite many different opinions – can actsand actually performs close macro functions which are attributed to the modernnational budgets. In order to demonstrate the veracity of this claim there werereviewed literature on the economic functions of the national budget, and it wasreferenced to the regulations of the functioning of the general budget of the EuropeanUnion. This demonstrated the specificity and limitations of the impact of thisbudget on the economies of the Member States. Functions which are performed bythe European Union budget were analyzed against the Multiannual FinancialFramework for 2014-2020. The result of this study shows that the budget of theEuropean Union performs five of the traditional functions of the state budget:redistributive, allocative, stimulus, information and control, and fiscal. But it doesnot perform the stabilizing function. The specificity of the impact of the EU budgetshows the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020, which includesa particularly difficult period in the history of the Community – a period of recoveryfrom the financial and economic crisis, as well as discussions and seekinga compromise on the shape and the possible strengthening of European integration in support of the primary instrument of fiscal policy, which is the budget. Currentissues are therefore discussed in this paper, which are part of a Europe-wide debateon the future of the Community.

Regional Economic Integration organizationsthe European Union as an Example

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludwig Krämer
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
International Environmental Agreements ◽  
International Level ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Regional Organisation ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Eu

The European Union (EU), through the European Community (EC), is the only regional organisation that has the declared policy to pursue both the objectives of economic growth and environmental protection. At the international level, the EC has the competence to negotiate and conclude treaties with states that are not members of the EU. EU member states also participate in the negotiation and conclusion of international environmental agreements. As the EU increasingly tries to speak at the international level with one voice in environmental matters, it has the potential of progressively growing into the role of an important negotiator, initiator, and actor that influences the evolution of international law. This article first describes the EU's institutions and procedures, and then traces the development of EC environmental law. It also explores the characteristics of EU environmental law and policy, regulatory tools and approaches (command and control, economic instruments, etc.), concepts and principles in EU environmental law, sustainable development, and environmental rights. Finally, the article addresses lessons to learn from the EU environmental experience.

Monitoring progress in “quality education” in the European Union – strategic framework and goals

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1125-1142
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Pleśniarska
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Quality Education ◽  
Employment Rate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adult Participation ◽  
Recent Graduates ◽  
The Eu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss the most important initiatives and the strategic framework of the European Union (EU) supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This paper also presents an overview of the progress towards the 4th Sustainable Development Goal (quality education) mainly in tertiary and adult education in the EU context. Design/methodology/approach The adopted research method includes a literature survey, a study of law regulations and strategic documents of the EU and their critical analysis. The main axis of empirical investigation is a comparative analysis. Thematic scope of the analysis embraces indicators such as tertiary educational attainment, employment rate of recent graduates and adult participation in learning. Findings The results of the comparative analysis confirm the diversity between Member States in achieving the goals of sustainable development. Overall positive trends in the development of quality education can be observed in the EU. However, the gender gaps in tertiary educational attainment and in the employment rate of recent graduates have been widening. Moreover, the EU is not on track to meet its 2020 benchmarks for adult participation in learning. Originality/value The paper systematizes knowledge of initiatives of the EU for sustainable development and supplements it with a comparative analysis in the field of statistical data, which allows for a better understanding of the state and the prospects of implementing the idea of quality education at the EU level.

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