scholarly journals The European Social Fund Supports the Reintegration of the Long-term Unemployed Individuals Aged 50+ Into the Labor Market - A Comparison of the Federal States in Austria

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-65
Author(s):  
Azra Kadri ◽  
Vito Bobek ◽  
Tatjana Horvat
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Federal States ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Public Employment Service ◽  
European Social Fund ◽  
Social Fund ◽  
Expert Analysis

Abstract This paper shows the importance of European Social Fund’s (ESF) countermeasures for reintegrating long-term unemployed persons aged 50+ in Austria since their number has increased in recent years. Four research questions are defined, which deal with the theoretical background, the ESF’s contribution, the possible causes of long-term unemployment, and their reflection in a country comparison figures. For the qualitative methodology, we conducted expert interviews and case study analysis. Concerning the quantitative method, we evaluated raw data from the AMS Public Employment Service, Austria, and Statistics, Austria. A correlation was established based on the content-related evaluation of the theoretical approaches, the expert analysis, and the presentation of statistics. It is necessary to identify the causes in time and take appropriate measures to prevent them from combating long-term unemployment among this target group.

scholarly journals Changes in the Capital Structure of Polish Companies During the Last Twenty Years (1997–2017)

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Jerzy Gajdka ◽  
Marek Szymański
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Structure Theory ◽  
Modern Theory ◽  
Common Belief ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The Capital Structure

<p><strong>Theoretical background</strong>: The capital structure is one of the most important areas in the modern theory of corporate finance. It has inspired the development of a large number of theoretical approaches, but a universally accepted theory of capital structure has not yet been developed. A common belief holds that companies try to achieve a stable capital structure in the long term; thus, companies that, at a given time, are characterised by a relatively low (or high) level of debt, also probably had the same level in previous periods.</p><p><strong>Purpose of the article</strong>: The main purpose of this paper is to provide answers to two basic questions: 1) How did the aggregate capital structure of the non-financial companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) change from 1997 to 2017?; 2) What factors are decisive for the companies’ capital structure and do the current trends in capital structure theory take account of them?</p><p><strong>Research methods</strong>: The research is carried out in two phases. In phase 1, the descriptive statistics method is applied to analyse how the capital structure of WSE-listed companies changed in the years 1997<em>–</em>2017. In phase 2, the capital structure determinants are examined using multiple regression models.</p><p><strong>Main findings</strong>: The capital structure of WSE companies varied significantly in the sample years, and overall, the debt ratios, total, short-, and long-term debt slightly increased. The causes of the changes were the economic environment factors (banking sector assets, government debt, and corporate income tax) and macroeconomic circumstances, along with the companies’ characteristics. Among the latter, the company’s profitability and the share of fixed assets in total assets usually turned out to be statistically significant.</p>

Benchmarking as the Gateway to Knowledge Transfer for SMEs

1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 342-348
Author(s):  
Geoff Nelder ◽  
Alex Skandalakis
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Knowledge Deficit ◽  
Business Excellence ◽  
European Social Fund ◽  
Social Fund ◽  
Quality Management Model ◽  
European Foundation ◽  
The Uk

This paper argues that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK suffer from a structural knowledge deficit that threatens their long-term viability. This deficit is shown to be a consequence of the business environment in which SMEs operate and of their lack of engagement with knowledge transfer providers and activities. The paper describes a European Social Fund project that piloted new approaches to engage SMEs in knowledge transfer that overcame some of the barriers present in other support activities. The key to engagement is shown to be an initial needs analysis using a benchmarking methodology, leading to a tailored programme of support. The benchmarking methodology was developed at Cranfield University and applies the European Foundation for Quality Management model of business excellence in a customized form to meet the specific requirements of SMEs.

When Political Transitions Work

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanie du Toit
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Transition To Democracy ◽  
Political Transitions ◽  
Political Reconciliation ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
African Experience ◽  
The One

Reconciliation emphasizes relationships as a crucial ingredient of political transition; this book argues for the importance of such a relational focus in crafting sustainable political transitions. Section I focuses on South Africa’s transition to democracy—how Mandela and De Klerk persuaded skeptical constituencies to commit to political reconciliation, how this proposal gained momentum, and how well the transition resulted in the goal of an inclusive and fair society. In developing a coherent theory of reconciliation to address questions such as these, I explain political reconciliation from three angles and thereby build a concept of reconciliation that corresponds largely with the South African experience. In Section II, these questions lead the discussion beyond South Africa into some of the prominent theoretical approaches to reconciliation in recent times. I develop typologies for three different reconciliation theories: forgiveness, agonism, and social restoration. I conclude in Section III that relationships created through political reconciliation, between leaders as well as between ordinary citizens, are illuminated when understood as an expression of a comprehensive “interdependence” that precedes any formal peace processes between enemies. I argue that linking reconciliation with the acknowledgment of interdependence emphasizes that there is no real alternative to reconciliation if the motivation is the long-term well-being of one’s own community. Without ensuring the conditions in which an enemy can flourish, one’s own community is unlikely to prosper sustainably. This theoretical approach locates the deepest motivation for reconciliation in choosing mutual well-being above the one-sided fight for exclusive survival at the other’s cost.

Proactive Value Co-Creation via Structural Ambidexterity: Customer Success Management and the Modularization of Frontline Roles

2021 ◽  
pp. 109467052199756
Author(s):  
Bryan Hochstein ◽  
Nawar N. Chaker ◽  
Deva Rangarajan ◽  
Duane Nagel ◽  
Nathaniel N. Hartmann
Keyword(s):  
Value Creation ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Service Firms ◽  
Study Analysis ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Multilevel Perspective ◽  
Business To Business ◽  
Depth Interviews

An increasing number of business-to-business (B2B) service firms have transitioned to recurring revenue-based solutions. These subscription B2B solutions are becoming increasingly common, yet offer challenges for long-term renewal if value is not consistently realized by the customer. To address this concern, customer success (CS) management has emerged. CS management is based on regular proactive action taken by the seller to (a) educate, prepare, and engage customers for value co-creation; (b) demonstrate the value delivered by the solution; and (c) provide a channel for advocacy on behalf of customers within the service-providing firm. Our findings highlight the under-researched topic of CS in B2B settings. Specifically, we propose the CS function and role as a structural alternative to within-person (i.e., cross-functional) ambidexterity and emphasize the ability of a CS focus by service firms to complement existing firm operations in value creation efforts. Our case study analysis provides a multilevel perspective (i.e., executive, functional role employees, and customers) via in-depth interviews that offer unique insights on “how parts of the service-sales system work together.” Overall, CS is growing as a practice that propagates value to the customer via ongoing success with solutions while improving service-firm renewal and growth of subscription business.

scholarly journals Human security as biosecurity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Craig Albert ◽  
Amado Baez ◽  
Joshua Rutland
Keyword(s):  
International Security ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Human Security ◽  
The United States ◽  
Security Threat ◽  
Global Security ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Research within security studies has struggled to determine whether infectious disease (ID) represents an existential threat to national and international security. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), it is imperative to reexamine the relationship between ID and global security. This article addresses the specific threat to security from COVID-19, asking, “Is COVID-19 a threat to national and international security?” To investigate this question, this article uses two theoretical approaches: human security and biosecurity. It argues that COVID-19 is a threat to global security by the ontological crisis posed to individuals through human security theory and through high politics, as evidenced by biosecurity. By viewing security threats through the lens of the individual and the state, it becomes clear that ID should be considered an international security threat. This article examines the relevant literature and applies the theoretical framework to a case study analysis focused on the United States.

scholarly journals Economic Evaluation of Supported-Employment Inspired Program for Pupils With Intellectual Disabilities

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna Larsson Tholén ◽  
Lars Hultkrantz ◽  
Mattias Persson
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Impact Evaluation ◽  
Supported Employment ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Average Treatment Effect ◽  
European Social Fund ◽  
Social Fund ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Intervention Impact

<div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column">In this study, we investigate whether, or to what degree, a ‘business case’ could be made for implementation of a Supported-Employment (SE) inspired program for pupils with intellectual disabilities (IDs), starting during the final school years. For this aim, we do a quasi-experimental before-after intervention impact evaluation of such a project funded by the European Social Fund in the Swedish city of Örebro (135,000 inhabitants) during 2010–2013. From an estimate of the average treatment effect, we calculate the internal net present value and the payback period that would make this program break even from avoided expenditure for day-activity services, assuming that it had been funded entirely by the municipality. </div></div></div>

scholarly journals An assessment of the effectiveness of support for university programs from the human capital operational program in years 2013-2015 in the development of students competences in entrepreneurship

2018 ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Kinga Koroniejko
Keyword(s):  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Organizational Innovation ◽  
Field Education ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
European Social Fund ◽  
Social Fund ◽  
Operational Program ◽  
Student Competencies ◽  
Development Of Students

The article presents the ways of support from European funds in the development of student competencies and organizational innovation in the field education. It is based on a case study of the project ‘Inżynieria materiałowa – inżynieria przyszłości’ (Material engineering – engineering of the future’), financed by the European Social Fund in Poland. The project was implemented at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Cracow University of Technology in the years 2012-15. The research methods used are critical analysis of literature sources, surveys and a case study of the project mentioned above.

scholarly journals Patterns of workplace innovation in the Basque Country: Challenges and lessons from Gipuzkoa

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Egoitz Pomares ◽  
Alvaro Luna ◽  
Alfonso Unceta
Keyword(s):  
Basque Country ◽  
Work Organization ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Workplace Conditions ◽  
Employment Skills ◽  
European Social Fund ◽  
Social Fund ◽  
Workforce Skills ◽  
Workplace Innovation ◽  
Innovation Practices

The importance of Workplace Innovation to improve competitiveness and employability strategies in the Basque Country has been a key ingredient of policy discussions in this region. This paper is focused on the analysis of the context and current state of workplace innovation and productivity skills in the province of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country-Spain).The action-research study was conducted in 2015 (different economic sectors and organizations of the area) with the funding and support of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa (Department for Economic Promotion) and the European Social Fund co-financing. The project was included as a specific case study of the workforce and workplace conditions of territorial organisations through the identification of the drivers and barriers of workplace innovation practices in 496 SME’s.The aim of this investigation is to build a new model of economic and social development that looks to understand the diverse and complex workplace environment of an important part of the Basque Country’s work organisations and companies.The evaluation of their practical learning activities, management as intervention, work organization, and worker participation, and their influence in the employment skills of their workers, is a crucial part of this research.This article takes a close look to these organizations, through a detailed analysis of their main changing processes in their workforce skills, their organizational knowledge and their economic and competitive performance.

scholarly journals Strategic stakeholder management: theoretical concept and features of application

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoia Halushka
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Management ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Modern Concept ◽  
Main Task ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Proactive Management ◽  
Unstable Environment

The article examines the development of the theoretical concept of stakeholders, a comparative analysis of approaches to the definition and grouping of stakeholders depending on their impact on the functioning of the organisation. The objective nature of the emergence of strategic stakeholder management as a modern concept of organisation management, operating in an unstable environment, is substantiated. Based on the analysis of theoretical approaches to substantiation of the essence of the concept of stakeholder management, the necessity and peculiarities of its application in strategic management of organisations in modern business conditions are shown. The main task of stakeholder management is identified, which is not just to maintain mutually beneficial interaction between all stakeholders, but to find mechanisms to improve the effectiveness of joint activities as a holistic system that includes the interests of all stakeholders. Based on the generalisation of all tools and mechanisms of strategic stakeholder management, two main approaches are identified - resource and relationship. It is noted that the relational approach means the formation of social capital, which in itself is a strategic resource, as it ensures the reputation of the business and promotes competitive advantage. It was found that in strategic management there are already certain principles of stakeholder management: systematic relationships, strategic orientation of all stakeholders to develop business strategies that take into account the interests, values and long-term goals of the organisation; mutual benefit of relations with stakeholders; the need to balance the interests of stakeholders; proactive management; focus on sustainable development and long-term relationships; transparency and accountability in non-financial relationships. It is substantiated that the result of effective stakeholder management is the value of the organisation. It is created by the joint efforts of all stakeholders on the basis of their interaction and depends on the availability, sufficiency and effectiveness of management of all resources and types of capital.

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