Europeanization in a Difficult Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-223
Author(s):  
Sandro Knezović ◽  
Valbona Zeneli

This article examines the impact of the process of Europeanization on the consolidation of political systems and on the pace of European Union (EU) accession in very difficult transitional environments like those of Croatia and Albania. Croatia, a post-socialist and a post-conflict state, and Albania, heavily burdened with the consequences of its recent isolationist history (which is unprecedented among other post-socialist states), were intentionally selected for this research as atypical cases. Acknowledging the lack of consensus about the Europeanization phenomena in the academic community, the authors decided to rely on indicators that focus not only on institution-building and policy-making processes in the technical sense, but also in the processes of construction and diffusion of formal and informal rules, procedures, styles and shared beliefs, norms and identities that are being transmitted from the European to the national level. Based on qualitative research comparing the two countries – that is, Albania and Croatia – and using a number of indicators, the authors conclude that while Europeanization is an important part of European politics in general and the EU accession process in particular, it does not result in having a uniform impact on different candidate countries. On the contrary, the pace of integration depends on the specific domestic political context, on the role of the institutions, and on the processes of adaptation to the European political environment.

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sepehr Ghazinoory ◽  
Ali Bitaab ◽  
Ardeshir Lohrasbi

Purpose – In the last two decades, researchers have paid much attention to the role of cultural values on economic and social development. In particular, the crucial role of different aspects of culture on the development of innovation has been stressed in the literature. Consequently, it is vital to understand how social capital, as a core cultural value, affects the innovation process and the innovative performance at the national level. However, to date, the impact of different dimensions of social capital and innovation has not been properly portrayed or explained. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of four different dimensions of social capital (institutional and interpersonal, associational life and norms) on two of the main functions of national innovation system (NIS) (entrepreneurship and knowledge creation) based on over 50,000 observations in 34 countries. Design/methodology/approach – In this regard, national-level data from the World Values Survey database was employed to quantify social capital. Entrepreneurship is, in turn, assumed to consist of three sub-indexes and 14 indicators based on the Global Entrepreneurship Index. Knowledge creation is also measured through US Patent Office applications. Also, exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling approach were used to build the measurement model and investigate the impact that each factor of social capital had on entrepreneurship and knowledge application, respectively. Measurement and structural models were built and their reliability and validity were tested using various fit indices. Research findings suggest the strong positive effect of institutional trust and networking on entrepreneurship. Also, interpersonal trust and networks were shown to have high influence on knowledge development at the national level. Norms appear to have naïve to medium negative effects on both functions. Findings – Research findings suggest the strong positive effect of institutional trust and networking on entrepreneurship. Also, interpersonal trust and networks were shown to have high influence on knowledge development at the national level. Norms appear to have naïve to medium negative effects on both functions. Originality/value – However, to date, the impact of different dimensions of social capital and innovation has not been properly portrayed or explained.


PCD Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 305
Author(s):  
Erickson D Calata ◽  
Reginald G. Ugaddan

There are frequent calls to enhance citizens' trust in government to pave the way towards a new paradigm of participatory governance and strong citizen support for government. In various realms, citizens may directly or indirectly engage with the government through various available mediums, even though, despite the availability of various policies and services provided by the government, citizens are generally passive and adamant in trusting the public sector. While many studies have explored a set of determinants that influence citizens' trust in government (i.e., central government, local government, parliament, and the legal system), few studies have ascertained the relationship and the role of social trust, happiness, governance, and political systems. These are critical factors that may influence trust in government. To address this gap, this study draws on the theoretical lens of social capital theory, proposing that cognitive social trust and citizen happiness—environment and performance—are the most likely predictors of citizen trust in government. This study assumes that citizens' perceptions of governance and political systems will moderate the effect of social trust and happiness on trust in government. Using data from the Asia Barometer Survey 2007, and focusing on data collected from the Philippines, this study tests a latent model employing the structural equation modelling technique. It finds that happiness negatively predicts trust in the central government and the legal system, while all other predictors do not have a significant effect. The findings also show that the political system moderates the impact of social trust and happiness on trust in government. Finally, this article points out its theoretical, empirical, and practical implications and provides directions for future research.


Author(s):  
Rama Mohana Rao Katta ◽  
Chandra Sekhar Patro

Globalization has been a significant force in the development of the market and economic environments. The micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) need to focus on technological capabilities to face the competition in the globalized market. They have to analyze the market opportunities in the rapidly growing economy as well as emerging markets. The aids of a globalized and digital economy depends to an excessive extent on favourable business environments and healthy competition. The performance of MSMEs depends on accessibility to various strategic resources like abilities, technical know-how, innovativeness, and finance. Thus, it is imperative to consider the factors influencing work conditions firm level, and the strategies formulated at the national level are organized to local business perspectives. This paper examines the global scenario of MSMEs, the impact of globalization, the role of MSMEs in India, the growth perspectives of MSMEs during the pre-and post-globalization period, the critical challenges, and the role of the government in encouraging and developing MSMEs.


Asian Survey ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 697-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eui Hang Shin

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the role of civic organizations in political processes in South Korea. More specifically, this article examines the impact of the blacklisting of candidates by the Citizens' Alliance for the 2000 General Election (CAGE) on the outcomes of the National Assembly election of April 13, 2000. I discuss the relationship between the characteristics of political systems and political culture and the emergence of civic organizations. I analyze the effects of CAGE's blacklisting of politicians on the nomination processes of candidates by major political parties. I also discuss the long-term effects of CAGE on the political system.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-35
Author(s):  
R. S. Rogulin ◽  
R. S. Pavlyuk ◽  
N. R. Talitskikh

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have become an integral part of our life. Currently, supply chain (SC) management is also in a digital transformation, especially during the period of disruptions in global and local supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to provide an empirical descriptive analysis of the role of digital technologies in improving the efficiency and recovery of SC in the pre-crisis period as well as in a pandemic. The research is based on the processing of statistical data and macroeconomic indicators that are freely available. The following are considered as basic indicators: Gross domestic product as a characteristic of the country's economic development level before the crisis; logistics efficiency index; digital life index. The authors have chosen few countries from different categories for the comparative analysis in the context of the selected assessment indicators The obtained study results confirmed the significant role of ICT in the efficiency improving and restoration of SC which had been destroyed in COVID-19. It is concluded that developed economies showed a high efficiency of their logistics systems at the national level and high values of the digital life rating. At the same time, the influence of ICT on the logistics system performance was not decisive in countries with average economic development and below ones. The results of this study can be used by companies' top management of various levels to build a strategy and tactics for their development including crisis management. The research methods and data can be applied to further explore the impact of ICT on the recovery and efficiency of global and local supply chains, including the updated data with the account of coronavirus pandemic impact to indicators which were used in the paper.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. p22
Author(s):  
Wang Chutong

Both Britain and Japan have made reservations and continuations to the monarchy in the process of historical development, and their political systems are constitutional monarchy. The royal family of both countries has a very long history. With the historical development and social change, the monarch has become a spiritual and cultural symbol. The “sanctification” of the monarch and the strong “plot of the monarch” have been deeply rooted in social culture. From the perspective of historical development and social and cultural influence, although there are similarities between the royals of the two countries, their roles in political, economic and social stability are different from the ways in which they are exerted. Through the comparison between Britain and Japanese monarchy in the above three aspects, this paper analyzes the difference between the two countries monarchy in the size of the role, the way to implement the role and the impact, and finally compares and summarizes the role of the two countries monarchy.


Author(s):  
Megbowon Ebenezer ◽  
Saul Ngarava ◽  
Nsikak-Abasi Etim ◽  
Oluwabunmi Popoola

Government expenditure has been considered to be having an extent of impact on economic performance at both sectoral level and aggregate national level. Evidence from literature, however shows that this notion has not been generally accepted across countries and sectors. Considering the significance of agriculture in an economy most especially in Africa, and the consequent role of government, this study examines the impact of government expenditure on agricultural productivity in South Africa using annual time series data from 1983 to 2016. It is shown that there exists a long-run relationship between government expenditure on agriculture and agricultural productivity, and a positive significant effect only to be expected in the long-run. The finding underscores the non-negotiable role of the South African government funding of agricultural sector in an era of climate change and a highly commercialized agricultural system. Furthermore, considering the low and declining pattern of government expenditure in the sector in South Africa, the desired productivity growth impact will only be experienced in the long-run all things being equal. Improving government funding in the sector could accelerate the desired agricultural productivity in the short-term.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
Khadija El Alaoui ◽  
Maura A. E. Pilotti

The present study examines the challenges and the rewards of assessing learning in a seminar on corruption which is taught in a country (Iraq) where political corruption is seen as the main source of structural instability and sectarian tensions. It specifically focuses on the role of culturally relevant pedagogy in defining the most suitable summative assessment. To this end, essay test questions were developed concerning the relevance of political corruption, the impact of investigative journalism, the role of humor in investigative journalism, and the appropriate remedies (besides journalism) to political corruption. In students’ responses, investigative journalism (with or without humor) was consistently reported to be a dangerous undertaking, but disagreement emerged on its effectiveness as one of the possible remedies for corruption. Dishonesty was seen as the universal cancer of political systems and thus difficult to extirpate, albeit some systems (e.g., Al-Muhasasa) were seen as tolerating it more than others. In our study, the qualitative examination of students’ responses served three objectives: (a) it offered evidence about the extent to which culturally relevant pedagogy was realized in the course; (b) it served to put forth a proposal on how students’ test responses can inform teaching and assessment in future offerings of the course; and more broadly, (c) it synopsized the views of a sample of college students who represent the population upon whom the country heavily relies for its economic and political recovery.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e032923
Author(s):  
Andrea Dell'Isola ◽  
Johanna Vinblad ◽  
Stefan Lohmander ◽  
Ann-Marie Svensson ◽  
Aleksandra Turkiewicz ◽  
...  

IntroductionOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Metabolic comorbidities such as type II diabetes occur with a higher rate in people with OA than in the general population. Several factors including obesity, hyperglycaemia toxicity and physical inactivity have been suggested as potential links between diabetes and OA, and have been shown to negatively impact patients’ health and quality of life. However, little is known on the role of diabetes in determining the outcome of non-surgical and surgical management of OA, and at the same time, how different OA interventions may affect diabetes control. Thus, the overall aim of this project is to explore (1) the impact of diabetes on the outcome of non-surgical and surgical OA treatments and (2) the impact of non-surgical and surgical OA treatments on diabetes control.Methods and analysisThe study cohort is based on prospectively ascertained register data on a national level in Sweden. Data from OA patients who received a first-line non-surgical intervention and are registered in the National Quality Register for Better Management of Patients with Osteoarthritis will be merged with data from the Swedish Knee and Hip Arthroplasty Registers and the National Diabetes Register. Additional variables regarding patients’ use of prescribed drugs, comorbidities, socioeconomic status and cause of death will be obtained through other national health and population data registers. The linkage will be performed on an individual level using unique personal identity numbers.Ethics and disseminationThis study received ethical approval (2019-02570) from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. Results from this cohort will be submitted to peer-reviewed scientific journals and reported at the leading national and international meetings in the field.


2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1623) ◽  
pp. 20120141 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Ferrari ◽  
B. T. Grenfell ◽  
P. M. Strebel

The global reduction of the burden of morbidity and mortality owing to measles has been a major triumph of public health. However, the continued persistence of measles infection probably not only reflects local variation in progress towards vaccination target goals, but may also reflect local variation in dynamic processes of transmission, susceptible replenishment through births and stochastic local extinction. Dynamic models predict that vaccination should increase the mean age of infection and increase inter-annual variability in incidence. Through a comparative approach, we assess national-level patterns in the mean age of infection and measles persistence. We find that while the classic predictions do hold in general, the impact of vaccination on the age distribution of cases and stochastic fadeout are mediated by local birth rate. Thus, broad-scale vaccine coverage goals are unlikely to have the same impact on the interruption of measles transmission in all demographic settings. Indeed, these results suggest that the achievement of further measles reduction or elimination goals is likely to require programmatic and vaccine coverage goals that are tailored to local demographic conditions.


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